1955 Second Series Chevrolet 4400 1.5-Ton

Owned by Andrew Douglas "asilverblazer" Bolter # 13759 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Talking about this truck in the DITY Gallery

From Andrew :

Seems I can update my Gallery page now. The whole "to do" list can be taken off!

The big ticket items were:

Got all new tires. I cleaned up the old two piece rims and repainted them. I did some more work on the wiring, new bed lights, added some very important ground straps.

I added new mirrors, and of course the new paint. [ View of the front ]

Beyond that, I mostly just fiddled with the timing and carb. Keeping it running was enough work in itself.

I HAVE used it to haul plenty of hay!

Wow, what a transformation! She looks great! ~ Editor

09 April 2007
# 1911

From Andrew :

           My truck is a 1955 Chevrolet 4400 with a 235 cubic inch inline 6 cylinder engine connected to the heavy duty 4 speed transmission (SM 420).

           The truck was originally purchased by a local company in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, "Order-Matic," that supplied drive-in restaurant equipment to companies like "Sonic," "Del Rancho" and others as well. As an employee of this company, my Grandfather was able to purchase this truck sometime around the "Y2K" scare and about two years prior to his death.

           The story gets interesting here because the truck was sold by my Father for a small $750. Five years later, I spot a similar truck along the Interstate sitting in a truck lot, and decided to take a closer look. As I pulled in, I noticed a number "6" on top of the drivers side fender, original to being a company truck.

           Long story short, I had to have it. And not for that attractive price of $750 either -- more like $2,500. Ouch.

           Now that the truck is back in the family, I can start a minor restoration of it as time and my now much lighter wallet allows.

           It came from the factory with turn signals and an oil filter, and has since had the seat recovered, new brakes and wiring re-done by paid monkeys. I have re-done the re-done wiring to a safer and more reliable system. I rebuilt the horn button and wiring, turn signal switch and associated wiring. I also built new wooden side boards to replace the incomplete metal stake panels. Apparently one was left on a job site years ago.

           Left on my "to do" list are new tires, load deck floor boards, axle seal and paint to original colors. I plan on putting it to light use hauling hay for my horses and the occasional Sunday drive.

Thanks,

Andrew Douglas

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