01 January 2013
# 2997

	Owned by Joe Kirkpatrick Sr. "Joe Sr." Bolter # 34431 Meridian, Mississippi

1953 Chevy 3100

"Old Blue"

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From Papa Joe :

I have always loved the 1947-1954 Advance Design trucks. I wanted a 1952, because that was the year I was born.

My Son, Joe Jr., and I looked at a lot of trucks. But for one reason or another, we could never make a deal on one.

Then one weekend we were driving home from Jackson, Tennessee to Meridian, Mississippi when we spotted her. She was setting in front of a diesel repair shop on I-45 in West Point, MS.

We stopped and talked to the owner. He said he only had the "for sale" sign on her for a few days. We looked her over good and I asked him his price. He was asking more than I could afford, so we drove on home, empty handed.

Well, long story short: it took us several days calling back and forth, to make a deal with him. I had used all my paid time off at work and couldn't take a day off during the week -- but we didn't want to let this one get away.

So rather than take a chance on waiting for Saturday, my Son borrowed a friend's trailer and drove back up to West Point (about 98 miles from Meridian). He showed the owner that he had cash in hand and the deal was made. My Son drove her onto the trailer and hauled her on home.

Well, she is pretty, but she still needs a lot of work. We didn't pay as much attention to the mechanical details as we did the cosmetic stuff. But that's okay because I am the worst at body work (and that part was pretty much complete). The mechanical stuff I can do.

I want to keep the truck as original as possible. That's why we looked so hard to find one that didn't need body work.

The previous owner lowered the suspension. I will be putting her back to original height. The transmission is a 4 speed tranny with the granny. She has the original closed driveline which needs some TLC. I think her top speed must be about 40 or 45 mph with that 4:11 rear end.

And the interior needs some work. I will be restoring / rebuilding the gauges and speedometer to like new, and converting the gas gauge and amp meter to 12 volts.

She has the original 235 L6 which is in great shape. It has a recent rebuild, but I am not sure how long ago. They used Silicone instead of a gasket on the oil pan. I will be dropping the oil pan and put a good Fel-Pro gasket on her. That will also give me a chance to see how the lower end looks.

She is splash lubricated, so I am pretty sure the rods are babbit bearings.

The wiring needs to be re-done. He converted to 12 volts and installed an HEI distributor and an alternator, but didn’t replace any of the old wires. So the 60 year old wiring will have to be replaced.

Anyway, I now have my AD Chevy pickup I have always dreamed of owning. She’s a year younger than I am, but I don’t mind a bit. Oh, by the way ... my wife named her “Old Blue” so that is what we call her.

This is my first restoration project. I had Uncles who owned a couple Advance Design trucks, and early 50's Ford trucks. That's when I fell win love with the AD body style. Joe Jr. will help me some with working on the old truck. He obviously knows how much I have wanted an Advance Design truck. He wanted to help me find and buy one. I am old school and want to keep her original. Joe, Jr., however, if HE had one, he would air bag the suspension and put a V8 in it. Good thing the truck is at my house!

I really enjoy the Stovebolt.com website and forums. I look forward to getting some tips and advice as I progress to restore her as she was in 1953.

Any and all feedback is welcome. Follow my progress in my DITY Gallery space in the forum and I'll keep adding more pictures to Photobucket, too.

Thanks,

Joe

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