1955 1st Series GMC

	"Clyde" Owned by Tim Dale "clyde55" Bolter # 13667 Whidbey Island, Washington

12 May 2008 Update
# 1973

From Tim :

          Hi all. I'm still at it with some added help from my two year old son. He's been helping finish up the brake lines and cleaning the frame for paint.

          The B&M tranny was bolted up and with my son Jamie's help. In removing the bed, I discovered how bad it was rusted out. It's a wonder it stayed on the truck.

          After long consideration, I choose to take on making my own patch panels [ pix ] to maintain the original stamped bed lines. Here's my first attempt at hand formed patch. Not bad for a beginner. It's a lot of work but it's just something I didn't want to give up.

          The stake pockets will be replaced as they were to far gone and had to come off to do the patch work.

          I've had '59 Caddy tail lights for a couple years now, not knowing just how I wanted to fit them up. After several drawings and then holding up a piece of scrape metal to the taillight, it came to me. That's it.

          The new bumper and taillight combo [ pix ] was going from drawing board to a radical reality. [ Closer view ] My wife said who ever bumps into that bumper is really going to be bumming. I hope it leaves a lasting impression in their mind and car if they do so. It's just metal. If I did it once, I can do it again.

          My favorite shot of this whole project is of my son in the cab [ pix ] ready to fire it up and go cruzin'. We both can't wait.

          By the way, I loved reading Dave Holts bolter # 5781 stories of him and his son's truck and "Motivating the Next Generation." Let's keep the spirit alive. Thanks Dale and sons. I loved your truck. It just goes to show it's not all about show trucks and throwing a lot of money at someone to build it for you.

Tim Dale

          Oh wow ... such a great picture of your son! You are motivating the next generation, yourself! Good going! ~ Editor

05 November 2007 Update
# 1973

From Tim :

          Here's an update for my Gallery page and a few pictures. Here's a front-on shot!

          Some recent updates on Clyde are the bolting up of the Heidt's front end and the mounting of the front Cragers to check for clearance. The 1974 Chevy 350 is painted and ready for the chrome add ons.

          I'm running the power brake lines for the new system and getting ready for the Painless wiring.

          The project was delayed slightly to the recent addition of my newly adopted two year old son from the Ukraine. He's all boy and makes car noises constantly. Can't wait to see his face the first time I fire ol' Clyde up with the headers uncapped. I'm a little anxious myself.

          Tell me what you other Bolters think. Thank you for the great work.

Tim Dale

11 June 2007
# 1973

From Tim :

           Clyde as we call her, from Whidbey Island, Washington, was named from the bullet hole in the door and Clyde Motors, a now none-existent Whidbey Island GM car dealer. I fell in love with this 1955 1st Series GMC pickup truck the moment I saw it. Round body, lots of chrome and unfortunately lots of rust. After sweet talking my gorgeous wife over lunch, the deal was done and not a moment to soon. With a wad of cash ($1500), a smile on my face and lots of ideas, we headed to the owner.

           I made it 15 minutes prior to another buyer who wanted the same truck. Lucky for me that guy had a 1948 Chev truck and a garage full of new parts to go with it. He offered them to me when he lost out. After a few days of thinking it over, I bought the whole package plus the 1948 truck. Out of it I got the running boards off the '48, a 350 Chev motor, new alternator, starter, distributor and coil, a B&M 350 tranny and converter, power brake kit, floor pans, painless wire kit, power booster brake kit and miscellaneous parts. I was well on my way to a hotrod.

           Since then, I located a rear end from a 1975 Nova, put new leaf springs and an aluminum gas tank under the bed. I pulled the old engine and installed a Heidt's front end kit with power rack and pinion. Next we added Flaming River tilt steering, new instrument panel and gauges, Newport Engineering electric wipers, Vintage Air heater, a new center grille and a few other custom items.

           I'm now fabbing up a custom built rear bumper, new tail lights '59 Caddy, new double oval exhaust tips and whatever trick cool things I can thick of.

           As you can see Cragers are my wheel of choice, as they are timeless.

           All the original parts were sold through Stovebolt Swap Meet forums to others intent on original restores. Sorry it's not my style, but I respect those who do.

           Still lots of rust, rear view, but that's cool -- kind of the grunge look. Who knows where it will go from here?

           My daughter turns 16 soon and has been one of my inspirations on getting it back on the road this summer. The boys at school will be drooling. My wife has been so understanding of my passion and I can't wait to have her and my daughters by my side doing some cool cruzin'. It's a year long art project, conversation piece and more. It's more fun than I've had in years.

           My inspirations have been all the cool hotrod clubs, forums, mags, and you guys keeping the dreams alive. Glad my step-Dad, Uncles and their friends let me hang out with them in their shops when I was a kid. My step-Dad and I worked on many of my own classics from a 1965 and 1969 Ford Mustang, a 1969 Chevelle, a 1970 Camaro, 1932 Ford, 1933 Willys and my current daily driver a clean 1984 Chev truck. It's in my blood.

           Ol Skool Rods and Car Culture are my favorite mags to keep me in perspective and Custom Classic Truck and Classic Truck are great for the how to articles and ideas. Dreamers Trucks and Rods in Everett have been so helpful with supplying me with the parts needed and for technical help plus so many others. I grew up with a 1956 Ford custom cab truck and never lost the love for fat fenders and lots of chrome and style. I'd love any feedback anyone has to offer.

           Stovebolt, you guys and gals are great. Thanks for your help and work.

Tim Dale
"clyde55"
Whidbey Island, Washington

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