1950 GMC 350 COE

	Owned by Kevin Heidrich "LocomotiveBreath" Bolter # 17387 Texas

06 March 2009 Update
# 2291

From Kevin :

I have some updated information and photos for my Gallery page. I finally got the GMC V-12 / 4L80E combo [ image ] mounted in the chassis. I still have a bunch of work left to do before it's driveable.

I'm getting the engine / transmission / driveline in place and operational first so it will move under its own power. After that comes brakes and tires. Then I'll move on to the cab, building the wedge bed, etc.

I'm doing all the work myself and don't get to dedicate a lot time time to it ... but still making progress.

If you want to hear her sing, here is a link to the engine before I mounted it in the chassis.

Kevin Heidrich

Kev ... good for you. A little at a time is sometimes the most satisfying way to go! Love the video ... she sounds great! ~ Editor

03 April 2008
# 2291

From Kevin :

          I found my 1950 Chevy COE on eBay back in February. It had a decent “buy it now” price and the ad just came out. So I jumped on it before someone else did.

          The truck was located just north of Oklahoma City, Texas and I’m about 300 miles away in Royce City which is just east of Dallas.

          I drove up there the next weekend and picked it up. The trip was fairly uneventful other than the dog eating my fries at a MacDonald’s stop. Here we are hauling her home.

          I then found a GMC "Twin Six” V12 [ one view ; other view ] that will eventually be sitting between the frame rails. That took a 2300 mile round trip to Lexington, Virginia to get. I had to do some serious talking to convince my wife that I really needed the truck. Luckily, she wanted to go on a spring road trip. So picking up an engine in Virginia seemed like a natural.

          I will do all of the work myself other than paint and upholstery. I plan on building a retro-style hauler bed with period correct rear fenders and lines. The mid-mount GMC V12 will be backed by a GM 4L80E transmission to make cruising more enjoyable. Some tastefully done chrome stacks will play the 702’s beautiful noise.

          All I know about its history is it was a U.S. Department of Interior truck that had been working on a Colorado farm until the clutch gave out. A family of opossums moved in many years ago.

          As you can see, I have a long way to go ( the two year plan ) to get the truck back on the road. It will be one of a kind when done.

Thanks,

Kevin 

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