![]() |
The Gallery | ||||||||
1953 Chevrolet 3100 Deluxe Cab |
|||||||||
|
From Steve Well, here it is. My pride and joy!!! After many years of wanting an old AD Chevy pickup to work on and drive, I finally bought one this summer. My Son found this 1953 1/2-ton in a neighboring town. When I first saw it, I knew I just had to have it. The price was too good to pass up. It was "rough" but I saw nothing but potential. The owner even threw in another left front fender to replace the bad one! Check out those ridiculous looking wheels! They have got to go! I have located a set of five original 16 x 4 1/2 wheels and have had them sandblasted. I'm saving up for tires now. This old truck also has a VERY stout homemade rear bumper/trailer hitch that also has to go. I want it to appear as close to stock as possible. A previous owner had cut a deep well in the right rear fender to accommodate the enormous spare. I'll have to eventually replace that, too. For right now, I'm concentrating on making it safe and reliable. I have cleaned and sealed the gas tank, put on all new brakes and brake lines, rebuilt the master and wheel cylinders, replaced the tie-rod ends, installed new tail lights and wiring, rebuilt the carb and distributor, put on a new coil, made up new 2/0 battery cables, installed a new clutch and replaced the gas gauge and sending unit. I also put in a 60 lb. oil pressure gauge from an old GMC. The body work will have to wait a couple of years unless I win the lottery or some rich relative leaves me a big inheritance! I'm still trying to decide what to do with the engine. The cheapest route would be to rebuild the 235, but I would really like to get a 261. If I can find a good core somewhere, I might go that route. I grew up on a farm driving a 1949 Chevy 3/4-ton, a 1951 and a 1954 2-ton. My Dad still has the '54, but the '49 and '51 were sold years ago for almost nothing. I'd really like to have the '49 now! This is a great hobby. I get a lot of satisfaction from resurrecting something from the past. Even though I don't have a heated garage, I don't mind getting out there in the cold and doing something on the truck. I have temporarily evicted my wife's Mazda from the garage while I work on my truck. A situation she says will not be permanent! Even though she doesn't share my passion for the truck, she still supports me and my efforts. I am truly a blessed man! Thanks for letting me submit this, Steve Nelson
Steve - Looks like you have your work cut out for a little while eh? Nice Truck and thanks for the great writeup! ~ Curator In January 2011, Steve added his 1954 Chevrolet 2-Ton Truck to the Gallery ~ Editor
-30- |