A 'virtual garage' of antique Chevy & GMC trucks from around the World

1951 Chevrolet 1/2-Ton 5-Window

26 November 2007
# 2135

From Lee :

CHAPTER 1
"Mom, you might want to come outside and see what Dad just bought!"

           I've been told that my grandfather owned a 1951 5-window Chevrolet truck and I've been thinking about finding and restoring one for several years. I've gotten more serious about the whole concept over the last several months and "the search" has been on since about September 2007.

           After recently attending the "Rod Run" in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, as well as a big car / truck show at Fort Boonesborough in Winchester, Kentucky, I was convinced that a restoration would be my next step. A good friend, let's call him "J," was also on the lookout for an old truck for his son. So we decided that we would search together. J's got a wealth of knowledge on these old trucks and has basically completed a Resto-Mod of a 1947 Chevy Panel Truck.

           Back to the old truck search … we saw several trucks for sale at the "Rod Run" in Pigeon Forge but most of them only needed some minor body work and a paint job. What's the fun in that??? I wanted something that would likely cause sleepless nights, busted knuckles, and rust stains. Well, let the acquisition begin.

           About a month ago, I was going through a local newspaper and saw an ad for a 1951 Chevy 5-window truck that "needed work" for sale for $681 firm. As you might imagine, my initial reaction was why $681. What was magic about that number?

           Well, I called the guy that had the truck for sale and he confirmed that he had a 1951 Chevy 5-window for sale. So J and I decided to meet with the owner at his farm in North Middletown, Kentucky. The seller confirmed that he had driven the truck into his barn in 1985 and the truck had been there since. The barn roof was not in good shape and it was easy to see that moisture had found its way to the truck. Rust, rust and more rust.

           After physically removing the barn door where the truck was stored, we put some air in three of the four truck tires and pulled it out with a Chevrolet 2500 4WD and chain. Since the barn was located in a bottom, we decided to pull it to level ground to load on our trailer.

           The photos that I've included were taken just prior to loading on the trailer. We loaded up the truck and had an uneventful trip home other than receiving many stares. By the way, we got the truck for $500 and still have no idea of where the $681 firm figure came from.

           ID plate - interior / driver's side - engine compartment - that 5th window - dash / passenger's side - engine - gauges - floor board. and more photos in my Photobucket.

Stay tuned for CHAPTER 2, "The Dismantling Begins…"

-30-