1946 Chevy COE Wrecker

Owned by Chris Diederich "Chris's 46 / 515" Bolter # 23929 Jacksonville, Florida Talking about this truck in the DITY Gallery

02 November 2011 Update
# 2803

More pictures of my old truck

From Chris

[ We actually got this update in May ... and are just now getting it on Chris' page. ]

Here's an update on my 1946 Chevy COE with a Holmes Traffic King Wrecker.

I've got the two-speed differential shifting on the go. I added a 540 towing cradle (that was on the wrecker originally and had been removed), several towing accessories and an original model 985792 accessory radio.

There are four pictures of my update on the Photobucket album.

I want to thank all those who helped me, both pre-Stovebolt and my fellow Bolters. Especially the COE / Holmes expert that even measured and described missing pieces over the phone.

I wanted to pick up the rear of the new born truck with the 65 year old, but these new vehicles are awful fragile.

I've leaned a lot on this site and I really appreciate it.

Thanks again.

Chris

This is one beautiful working Bolt. This is a great calendar photo, too! ~ Editor

20 July 2010
# 2803

More pictures of my old truck

From Chris :

Here is my 1946 Chevy COE Wrecker. I knew about it at least eight or 10 years before I ever looked at it. I learned of its existence, as I worked with the guys brother. He had about 50 Fords and this one rusty Chevy wrecker sitting in his yard. Back then, I didn't have the money or the time -- until my kids got older. Around 23 years ago, I had to sell my 1942 half ton pickup to help make a move to Florida. So when I saw the Art Deco body style, I just had to have it. So began my six year project.

The first year, I remade every shaft on the wrecker portion, along with the all of the stainless steel hand rails. Frank, at the "International Towing and Recovery Museum" was a lot of help. [ This is a fun link; you'll have to check out the Wall of the Fallen ~ Editor. ]. When I was rebuilding the power takeoff unit on the wrecker, I was a little upset to find out that Holmes used a "Model T Ferd" differential to power the cables. If you look at my pictures, you will see that this truck was very rough. As a matter of fact, a couple years after I got it, my wife and some relatives acknowledged that the day I brought it home, they thought I was insane.

As you can see, it has since received a lot of body, brake, engine and electrical work.

Chris


"Your early pictures are a perfect example of a diamond in the rough. The end result is without a doubt an inspiration to us all. ~ Curator"

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