Owned by Nick Cavallaro "NJC" Bolter # 32521 Maryland

1952 Chevrolet Suburban

More pictures of my old truck

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in the Panels & Burbs forum

From Nick :

I like old trucks and like the challenge of restoring them. This is my second truck restoration. My first was a 1948 Chevrolet 3100 1/2-Ton.

It's a great hobby. Been at it for 20 years (doing the '48 was stretched over a long period of time, justifiably) and I still feel the same. Must have since in 2011, I got myself this second truck: a 1952 Chevy Suburban. I am doing things a little different on the Suburban than I did on my first truck.

This truck was listed in Hemmings Motor News by a fellow in North Carolina. This fellow didn't really work on the old trucks - seems he just located them and moved them around.

The "owner" before him was from New York and he had passed away in 2011. Being a New York truck, it had a lot of rust problems - especially the rocker panels.

I got the truck in March 2012. I worked a deal out with the seller and had it hauled up to Maryland. The seller took the registration from the previous owner but never signed the back to transfer title. In NC, he got his own tag. In NY, the registration was the title.

It was a little difficult buying the truck site unseen. The seller said the motor turns over but didn't run. He said the truck was "mostly there." The gas tank was missing. The plywood floor in the back needed to be rebuilt. The middle and back seats were missing.

I was able to buy an authentic middle and back seat. They are very rare and I found them on the Stovebolt site. This Suburban has (or will have) the classic 3 - 2 - 3 seating. With the Suburban, I will be able to get my whole family (five of us) and we can go to a show.

There are some worts on this truck but things are not fitting like they should. I am doing some spot welding. I have more time to work on this truck than the '48 (that one sat for over 16 years).

The truck came with a 235 Inline six. I have taken it apart and was uncertain about keeping it. Cosmo (ODSS) is getting a different engine for his truck and I will get his 235. When it was built in 1952, I'm sure it had a 216.

Overall, I was satisfied but I saw it will be a real project, let's say.

i bought 25 pieces of patch panel sheet metal. I took my '48 to the ATHS Tri-State show in Winchester this year and met a guy who had a 1953 1/2-ton. He restores old trucks for a living and he seemed like a reasonable guy, with reasonable prices. I completely stripped the vehicle down until it was a body on a frame. I towed it on a dolly to Winchester so this fellow can do some of the work -- I want it to be right!I

My half ton is in the garage now. When the Suburban comes back from Virginia, it'll have a car cover on it. I don't really have garage space for more than one vehicle at a time. I should get it in the spring ... but I'll try to get the guy to work slow so he'll have it all winter in a shop.

It will be long project. The main thing is try to not go crazy on spending. I'll post progress reports in the Panels & Burbs forum; and I'll try to keep adding pictures to my Photobucket album.

Nick

Nick has been in the truck restoration process for over 20 years! He's got one done: a 1948 Chevy 1/2-ton 3100; and he's got one that's a real restoration work -- a 1952 Chevy Suburban.

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