A 'virtual garage' of antique Chevy & GMC trucks from around the World

1947 Chevrolet 1/2-Ton Truck

Owned by Dianne Bump Victoria, British Columbia Canada

05 September 2007 Update
# 1839

From Diane :

          I have an update for my 1947 Chevy truck, the Blue Ghost! I would like to add the photo of her new color. This photo was taken in July 2007.

          I have a sticker on the back window that reads "A WOMAN AND HER TRUCK - IT'S A BEAUTIFUL THING" and when I turn my visor down, I have another sticker that reads "THELMA AND LOUSIE LIVE."

          The Blue Ghost turns 60 this month and I will be 60 in November ~ we've been a "team" for 31 years now and I have enjoyed her every day since I first got her. I don't know what it is with me and that truck, but we're certainly "partners." I have met so many wonderful people through the "Ghost" ~ most importantly, the man in my life now.

          A bit of the "past history"... I bought the Blue Ghost (that was the name she came with when I got her) from a friend who had driven her up from Oregon back in 1972. I paid $375 for her. Mind you, over these past 31 years, I have put about $25,000 into her, but when you look at the "big picture," it's really nothing as far as paint and maintenance go ... less than $1,000 a year? Nothing compared to the happiness she has brought me!

          One thing I do need is decals for my hub caps and front Chevy emblem on the hood. I bought those parts about ten years ago and within a year the lettering had worn off. I just never got around to fixing it. Since I've retired (a whole 3 months now!), I have a list of things to do and it may just take me the rest of my life to get them done, but I'm working on it!

          I sold my retail business in February (after 23 years) and retired which gives me more time to spend driving the Blue Ghost. A small group of us here in Victoria go on outings ~ driving through the country side and having breakfast or lunch together. There's nothing nicer than seeing a string of old Chevy trucks traveling together!

          Yea, we know that you BC Bolters are the original GABfesters!! Right after your email came in, Bill Jesse sent this one and this one. He says it was "a bit of a mini-cruise and a shakedown run for Ken Coombe's 1951 Chevy 1/2-ton (the green one). Dianne Bump and I were the other two, with her light blue 1947 and my 1949 Chevy 1/2-ton (Ol' blu). We went up to the Spitfire restaurant for lunch. A nice cruise."

          What a nice lineup. What a lot of fun. We wanna retire!! ~~ Editors

21 February 2007
# 1839

From Diane :

           This is my 1947 Chevy 1/2-ton pick up that we call "The Blue Ghost." My truck and I are the same age and I have had her for 31 years. Through The Blue Ghost I have met many wonderful people, but most important I recently met a very nice man because of her. He has a '47 Chevy pick up and I think we're going to get along just fine.

           While originally blue, I did paint her white in 1985. In 1990 I had her painted blue again (that's this photo on the page). I had a 1959-1960 235 Chevy engine put in it as it was getting to be a problem double clutching in high heels!

           Then again in 2006, I had the Ghost painted a slightly darker shade of blue - (sorry no recent photo). Here's a photo of the interior.

           She's like an old friend to me and I still take delight in running my hands over her rounded bumpers to this day. The Ghost is as beautiful to me now as she was when I first got her. I get her serviced every six months and she runs like a top. Other than that, she's still pretty basic and easy to care for. I don't think I could have found a better vehicle to have in my life.

           Thanks for letting me share her with you.

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