01 January 2014 # 3035

Owned by Bob Mayfield "Bob Cedar Falls" Bolter # 37112 Cedar Falls, Iowa

1952 Chevy 3100

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From Bob :

First off, thanks to everyone who maintains and supports this website. Most of the questions I had were answered by reading the existing comments in the forums and following the helpful links. It amazed me as I started taking things apart. I would come up with a question and I would search on the forums for that topic. Everything I checked already had a discussion about it.

So, the truck: I have a 1952 Chevy 3100 that is now my retirement project. My Brother got the truck about 35 years ago, painted it, drove it for a little while and then parked it in a corn crib in Nebraska for 25 years. I bought it from him about 10 years ago and hauled the truck here to Iowa. A lot of mice lost a good home when I moved the truck to Iowa.

I was still working at John Deere (future advance projects, such as automated steering and GPS control -- I had a lot of fun at work), so I didn't have much time to work on the truck. I got enough done so that we could drive it around the neighborhood.

This last year, all that changed, as I am retired!

The first step was rebuilding the brakes and replacing the wheel bearings. I didn't realize I could got to NAPA to get all the parts for this -- I was amazed they still stocked this stuff!

I put in new spark plugs, changed the oil, and put in a carburetor kit. What a thrill it was when it started right up and I was able to take my grandkids on a ride around the neighborhood.

I was originally going to do just enough to fix it up and drive it. Then I got started taking things apart and couldn’t stop. Now I plan to restore it to original condition as much as possible. It already has a 235 and has been converted to 12 volts.

I am now down to the bare frame. Every bolt has been taken out. All of the glass and weatherstripping has been removed.

I have a body shop that is experienced in restoration who will paint the truck and frame for me. The next step is take the frame and non-appearance parts to a sand blaster and the body parts to a media blaster near Cedar Rapids. I hope to get the body work and painting done in January by a fellow who is close by. There really isn't much body work to do on the truck.

I have been researching colors and have come up with the following from the forums:

Exterior -- Mariner blue
Cab interior -- Champagne
Engine, manifold, and clutch housing -- Gray
Air cleaner -- Semi-gloss black
Oil filter body -- Orange
Oil filter top -- Semi-gloss black
Frame, springs, torque tube, rear axle -- Semi-gloss black
Heater -- Silver brown “hammered paint”
Grill inner bars -- Thistle gray

• How to find the little button that easily releases the headlight switch.
• How to remove the vent glass frame. (I never would have found that one stupid nut inside the door frame at the bottom of the vertical support on my own.)
• It is OK to use a 6 volt horn on 12 volts.
• Undercoating can be removed with a propane torch, a putty knife, and lots of time.

Once it is all back together, besides the rides for the kids, we hope to do a parade or two.

Bob

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