Larry Gerdom's 1953 Chevy 1/2-Ton

20 August 2008 Update
# 1766

From Larry :

           When money talks, it says "Take me, take me!" I just can't resist! All the guys laugh when I say, "I'm going to keep this one." They say they have heard that before. I sold this '53 to a friend's brother. But, hey hey hey ... I got another one to do just like it ... when I can. I still see it now and then.

           Thanks for all you do.

Larry

21 February 2007
# 1766

From Larry :

           It's done! It took me seven months from start to finish. I wasn't crazy about putting it on a Chevy S10 frame, but it came out ok. The ride and handling is great!

           It has a new 350 crate motor, 350 turbo tranny, power steering, power brakes, cruise control, tilt wheel and tinted windows. I'll put a few more miles on it to make sure everything works good. Then I'll sell it and start on a 1956 Chevy two door. It will be a clone of my first car. Rear photo with cover. Interior. Tailgate.

           Thanks again for a great web site and everyone's help along the way.

Larry Gerdom
"hot rod"
Bolter # 5329
Burlington, Iowa

21 February 2007
# 1766

From Larry :

           Here's an updated picture. As you can see, we've got the front fenders and hood attached!! The running boards and grille are next!

           Thanks for doing this up date. FYI, I sold the Model A. I wasn't ever going to .. but money talks around here! That's was the favorite saying among the guys "I'll never sell Grandpa's A" I learned to not say Never!

           The 1956 is my main driver now. And this ' 53 is what I've been doing five days a week now. The interior is almost done -- next week probably. Then it should be finished except for testing it to get all the "bugs" out. Just in time for spring cruising!! I'll send more pics when I finally finish.

           Thanks for everything you do

Larry Gerdom
"hot rod"
Bolter # 5524
Burlington, Iowa

03 January 2007
# 1766

From Larry :

           Hi! Here is my latest project to date! It's a 1953 1/2-ton on a S-10 frame with a '92 Chevy Stepside bed. The engine is a 350 Chevy with a 350 turbo tranny. The color is orange / tan. The interior looks pretty good.

           I got the truck from a friend who just started on it but decide it was too much for him, so he sold it to me. I have built a lot of trucks on stock frames but never on a Chevy S- 10 frame. So it has been a challenge for me but it's coming along just fine.

           So, I'm in the middle of re-building it (which you guys told me how to do that). Thanks to all the guys (especially in the Engine and Driveline Forum) for all the info and help! This site is really something. I don't know how we ever got along with out it!

           I have just finished painting the front fenders and hood. The interior will be in three colors of tan.

           The 6 cylinder stick is going into a '42 1/2-ton in the future. A friend has the bellhousing and flywheel but not sure what it came out of. The 6 is out of my '56 Chevy car. It might bolt up to the stock bellhousing in the '42, now that I think of it.

           The truck should be finished this spring. I'll probably drive it for awhile, then sell it to start work on either a '42 Chevy 1/2-ton or a '56 Chevy.

           Thanks for such a GREAT site. I tell everyone I know about it.

Enjoy,

Larry Gerdom
"hot rod"
Bolter # 5524
Burlington, Iowa