1938 GMC T 16 B

	Owned by Archie Messer "Archie's36" Bolter # 23497 Deer Park, WA Talking about this truck in the DITY Gallery

More truck pictures of my old truck

From Archie :

I was moving an old Ferd for a friend, and saw a fender sticking out from in front of a semi box. (This was in a field of semi trailers.) I later talked to the owner of the yard and he said let's go take a look. That is when I saw this classic truck for the first time.

The truck was last licensed in 1956 in Oregon.

This old GMC truck has approximately 40K on her. Five of the six tires hold air. The motor is stuck. It has a HUGE rear end. Most all of the truck is there with the exception of a few emblems and glass, as well as the headlight buckets (which were snapped off) and are gone.

It took me about a month to get a price from the owner. I finally got to bring her home late in January. The truck was just a few miles from the house and it was a simple matter of blowing up the tires and trailering it home.

I have started to dismantle her so I can determine what all is wrong. Getting out the several pounds of yellow jacket nests was interesting.

So far, the gauges all work. The horn works. The radiator still had water in it (and mud). I was even able to get the choke cable to work again.

The hardest thing so far was getting the windshield crank to free up but it works fine now.

There was no rust in the gas tank and just some surface rust under the tank. I wish I could find the lower seat springs then the interior parts are all there. I found the original keys in the dirt on the floor and all the locks work.

I am really surprised by how little serious rust there is. It has mostly surface rust that cleans right off.

The engine is a mystery as of now, and hopefully, I'll have an answer soon. It is currently locked up but I hope to be able to get it freed.

You can view the truck's progress on facebook (Archie Messer). I hope to be able to restore it to like new, but if I can't get the few things I need, we aren't above making a rod out of it.

My wife really liked the truck until I told her how much the missing grille / headlights are going to cost. Then she isn't sure if it is a good idea for me to have a play thing.

Archie Messer



This is a very solid-looking project, considering its age. Good luck and keep us updated on your progress. ~ J. Lucas, Stovebolt Curator

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