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Pete Reisiger's 1952 Chevy 1/2-ton Panel Delivery

12 April 2004

From: Pete,

     This '52 panel (Model Number KP3105) is originally from the Lancaster, Pennsylvania area and belonged to an Amish wallpaper hanger. It was built at the Balitmore Chevy plant.

     I found the truck while vacationing in the Amish area of Pennsylvania and trailered the Chevy back up to Canada in 1989. The truck was basically in good but worn condition, with it's original 216 c.i. straight six engine and 3 speed transmission. There was a bit of rust where condensation collected in the rockers and lower body cavities.

     The paint was dead flat, but a couple of cans of compound and wax kept her shiny for a few years 'til I did the body over in 2000, with a motor swap in 1999. The tired old 216 was swapped out for a low mileage 235 out of a '55, rebuilt from the bare block up. The head was ported and polished and milled .010 for increased compression, and fitted with hardened valve seats. Vintage speed equipment was found to "hop-up" the straight six 'fifties' style. Fenton split headers give a real nice sound through dual pipes. The Offenhauser dual carb intake carries two stock Rochester carbs, and is fitted with a Langdon water heating plate for even running. A Langdon HEI distributor replaces the old points and condenser unit. Switched the electrics over to a 12 volt alternator.

     The truck rides on 16" radial tires and gas shocks for a real nice ride. Electric wipers replace the slow vacuum jobs. I added shoulder belts from Juliano's, real nice installation! Still sitting in the stock buckets, they're actually not that bad, comfort-wise. I replaced all the cardboard liners in the interior with carpet runner from Home Depot, with foil-backed foam insulation underneath, nice and cool and quiet. Still has the original plywood floor, just covered it with a loose carpet.

     The body was stripped and repaired with steel in 2000. Epoxy primer topped with urethane colour coat in the original 'Dark Juniper Green', with clear coat over that. I put in all new glass and weatherstrips, rechromed the handles and found some chrome hubcaps.

     This truck is a real driver and can be found at cruise nights and shows all around Ontario and the N.E. States. I get a lot of thumbs up for the looks as well as the cool sounds of the straight six.

     You can see more of this truck at www.creative-works.ca/panel

Peter Reisiger
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada