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

1954 Chevrolet 3/4-Ton Flatbed Truck

Owned by Mark Lewis Bolter # 15850 Murfreesboro, Tennessee

22 October 2007
# 2094

From Mark :

          Hello Stovebolters! I've read hundreds of submissions to the Gallery it seems, and I've absolutely enjoyed each one. Great stories and great photos!

         I had been looking and looking for an older model Chevrolet. I like the rounded noses and hoods. Once upon a time (when I was a younger man), I had a few late 1960's Chevy's .... but I wanted something older than that.

         So. I recently purchased a 1954 Chevrolet 3/4-ton original flatbed. I can not tell you how much I enjoy working on it and driving it!!! As I drive by .... that's right ... I'm cool!

         It's my understanding, through looking up the VIN info, that this truck was made in Indianapolis as a commercial vehicle. That's why I feel like it is an original flatbed from GM. A bread truck or a brick delivery truck maybe? Who knows. Has anyone ever seen an original flatbed from this time period? I've done quite a bit of searching on-line but I haven't found one yet.

         The fact that it has a factory flat bed I would think makes it kind of rare. I'm sure most of these that were made were worked to death and then put out of their misery. So I'm glad mine survived.

         This is my first Stovebolt and my first restoration. I wasn't looking for a flatbed exactly but I definitely wanted something like this. A regular bed would have been better .... or at least that's what I thought. I think now I will just enjoy it on the farm. It makes for a great farm truck to run into town for feed and hay.

         I bought this right off of eBay a few months ago. It was running when I got to the seller's house. I took it for a test spin and it made some awful noises. I had about 200 miles to my house and decided the trailer was probably a better option! A whole lot faster that's for sure.

         Pretty simple story of rebuilding the carburetor, a new battery, a few hoses and new points and plugs and you guessed it .... it runs like a top! Well, if a top tops out at 55 mph. I think I'll fix all the creaks and leaks (and rust too), but I don't think it will ever see a paint booth. I think I might have a hard time putting a scratch on it if I did that.

         One neat part of the story is the guy that I bought the truck from had also purchased a 1952 Chevy 3/4-ton for the fenders only. It turns out the fenders didn't interchange and that truck has sat in the weeds. He gave me that truck. I haven't gone to get it yet, but it is a column shift with lots of stainless steel. I've done some checking on your site and the internet and can't seem to find a 3/4-ton, column shift. So I'm thinking it was some kind of "special order" maybe. So if I were to to do a restoration frame up .... that will probably be the one. I haven't got it home yet, but until then, I think I'll just keep cruising (at 50 mph)!

         If you see me cruising by, give me a wave!

         Thanks for looking.

Mark Lewis

         What a great score -- two trucks even!! ~~ Editor

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