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01 November 2013 Update
# 2087

As Doug was sending us information on a new old truck (a 1968 Chevy Custom 10), he let us know it was with deep regret he had to let this one go about two years ago. Hopefully, we'll hear from the new owner and keep the history of this truck alive. ~ Editor


18 October 2007
# 2087

 
Owned by
Doug Evans
"a.d.-hawk"
Bolter # 11113
Papillion, Nebraska
 

 

1950 Chevrolet 3600

 

From Doug :

           After many months, 21 to be exact, here is my submission for the Gallery.

           Like any good, old truck nut, I was constantly on the lookout for a good candidate. I had noticed a 1953 Chevy 3100 in a side yard down the street from work. The owner also had an early 1950's Dodge pickup as well. My hope was that he was less smitten with his Chevy, since the Dodge was already fixed up. Well…

           A couple of months passed and I finally decided on a snowy Saturday to stop by and ask about the 1953 Chevy. The elderly owner and his wife invited me inside to sit by the wood-burning stove and talk awhile. With cautious excitement, while sitting in a complete stranger’s home, I got the details of the 1953 Chevy. He’d had it for quite awhile and seemed rather attached to it, judging by his price tag. While not out of line, it was out of budget. We got done talking about the 1953 and they started in with other friendly conversation.

           After an hour or so, I figured that my wife had already sent out the St. Bernard with the little keg around his neck to find me, and let my new found friends get back about their business. You couldn’t have asked for a nicer couple to spend time with to just talk about what have you. Before I left, the gentleman mentioned that his son had a couple of 1950 Chevy 3600's he was interested in selling and that they were nice as well and far less money. Now my interest was peaked!

           A phone call and conversation with Rich (the original owner’s son), led me north of Lincoln, Nebraska to a worn, but very restorable, 1950 Chevy 3600. (Here's a picture of the interior.) I immediately called Rich to let him know that I was interested. I reluctantly told him that I didn’t even have close to the amount needed to pay for it. He told me that since he didn’t actually have the truck advertised and that I was the first person to see it, that he would consider it mine. Furthermore, I could take my time paying it off. Rick later mentioned that this truck was heading for a push off into the ravine -- he didn't think it was worth saving! Not until I came along!

           Well, I made my first $100 payment in January of 2005, not knowing it would take almost the next two years to get it paid off. The next several months would test my resolve, as life happened. More on that in a bit.

           So far as I can tell, the only non-stock item is the 1954 235 6-cylinder Inliner. The history of the truck goes like this. Rich’s Dad bought three brand spankin’ new 1950 Chevy trucks for his construction business -- a 6400 and two 3600's. All had served well up through the mid-1980's, about when his Father retired. They were all brought up to Rich’s acreage and parked, waiting for someday to be fixed up.

           My truck was put up for sale to help finance the restoration of one of the other two. Surprisingly, it survived its beast of burden duty, with only slight dings and dents and best of all … no rust through. Just good ‘ol patina!

           Thrilled with my find, I started concentrating on selling my surplus stuff. My original intent was to have the truck paid off in a year. With job slowdowns, among many unforeseen upcoming events, progress was slow at best. In the end, with endless amounts of encouragement, from a very understanding and patient wife, and the support of many friends made here at the Stovebolt (you all know who you are), my goal was finally realized on my 40th birthday, a couple weeks back.

           I usually can’t consider a job successfully done unless it has been riddled with at least a little bit of struggle or strife. Terry (27 Capitol) and John (J Lucas) had been in contact with me about getting my truck hauled home. We had decided that I would meet them halfway between Lincoln and Omaha at the SAC Museum parking lot. Running past closed at work, I ran out and burned a path to meet Terry and John. With fall coming on, it starts getting dark a bit early in these parts, so not wanting to waste any extra time, I hopped out of the car and into the truck and off we went. I’m sure that both of them were wondering if I was leading them on a crazy trip across the countryside.

           This was the first time that we had met and we were embarking on a search and rescue mission! Well, we finally reached the destination and took some pictures of our bounty. Note Terry’s rear window sticker! Cool huh?!

           Soon we were on our way, only this time heading back in the dark. Thankfully, I knew the area well. Determined to get back before any of our wives considered us missing, we sprinted over the river and through the woods, but not to Grandmother’s house! About a quarter mile before the SAC Museum, we were talking along and ended up missing the entrance to the parking lot and my ride home.

           Once we were righted, we looked in shock at locked gates and a guy leaving! ARGHH!!! Terry flagged the guy down, and asked if we were lucky enough to have found the guy with the keys. We were, and I was soon out of eminent danger with my wife!

           Back on the road, with me in the lead, our next obstacle would be Bambi and her extended family. Raccoons included, just to make things real interesting. After a couple close calls with our woodland friends, we finally got to the ‘50's new home.

           The unloading was as uneventful as the loading, which somewhat made up for what we had just dealt with. At 10:00 PM, with the door pulled down and locked, brows wiped and sighs sighed, we were able to call it a job well done. John & Terry --- you guys are real troopers and I couldn’t have gotten it done without ‘ya! Thanks so much!!

           I owe all this fun and related hoo-yah to the Stovebolt Staff. I daily enjoy all that the ‘Bolt has to offer … information, the new submissions, and best of all, the people. Thanks for putting this here for all of us to come together and enjoy!


It's a Small Stovebolt World

           Here's a little story about the All Chevy Show pics. As is usually the case lately with me, getting to that show was a last minute deal at best. Like the Kansas City people not knowing about the truck show, I knew it was coming, but forgot the date until early on the day of. Good thing was I only live about four or five miles away from the dealership where the show was being held.

           Anyhoo, I finally managed to get there about two hours before the show is done. I ran to WalMart on the way and picked up a bit larger memory card to get more pictures. On one of the hottest, nastiest summer days, here I am covering about 2.5 acres of smoldering hot blacktop, clicking pics as fast as I can before people start leaving. There was so many great cars and trucks there that day, many I had never seen before.

           One truck in particular was the green 1946 panel truck. You’ll never guess who I caught in the picture with that truck? Terry (27 Capitol), his son (Michael) and John Lucas! We hadn’t even met yet! I had no clue who they were until they came along to help me get the truck home a couple months later! Funny, huh?

Doug

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