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

1954 Chevy 3100 Thriftmaster

Owned by Rick Peluso "Rockies54" Bolter # 16639 Aurora, Colorado

24 October 2007
# 2100

From Rick :

           I just bought this beautiful 1954 Chevrolet 3100 Thriftmaster. The man I bought it from intended to rod it, but never got the chance. It’s been sitting for 10 years. I don’t even know if it will run but the whole truck looks pretty solid and complete.

           The story is I’ve been wanting a truck for a few years. My wife, Lee Ann thought I should buy a new one. But I thought for what a new one costs, I could look around for an old one. Well, we were up in the mountains about two months ago and I saw a 1951 that I fell for. I contacted the owner and he said it was for sale but someone else was coming to look at it. I offered to send him a check that day but he wouldn’t go for it. He him-hawed around for about two weeks. Then he finally said it was sold.

           I started searching Craigslist for something and mostly saw a bunch of rusted out field trucks. A week into my search, early October a man in town posted this 1954. For whatever reason, he didn’t have time to work on it, so he decided to sell. (He says he has restored a handful, and wished me luck.)

           I hope to keep it original. I work part time for one of the big auto parts retailers and hope to use what I’ve learned there and save a little money on some parts.

           My wife was very supportive of me diving in to this, as I just retired from the Air Force and I’m sure she doesn’t want me sitting idle. (I have to build her a back deck before I can work on the truck ……… riiiight!)

           Who cares, it gives me an excuse to get greasy and buy a bunch of new tools.

           Here some photos: engine view one / engine view two / interior

           I actually just picked it up today. It’s home safe in the garage. All I know so far is that in needs some body work, the rear end is leaking and the headlights work. The adventure begins …… as soon as I build Lee Ann a deck.

           So far, I love this web site. I’ve learned so much over the last couple weeks. I’ll be sure to update you as my project moves along.

Rick

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