We have a lot of information exchanges going on in the forums and many of our Bolters have developed their own sites in order to give more detailed information (check the Lots O' Links page).

      Long ago, we started a Featured Projects Page in the Tech Tips section for those who were willing to share details of their restoration but perhaps didn't have web server space.

      So, we just wanted to let you know that we've got two updates in there:

• Stephen Binder's 1929 Chevy 1.5-ton
• John Milliman's 1949 Chevy 2-ton 4400

I first spotted my ‘53 Suburban in spring of 1973. On the title it is referred to as a Carryall/Suburban. I called it a Carryall for the longest time. A buddy of mine (Mark) owned it. I had just recently bought a ‘51 pickup from his brother Mike – also a good friend - for $50. I drove the pickup truck in stock trim for a while, but I always had plans to somehow get that Suburban.

Come read about this 32-hour, 1100 mile road trip!

      You finally got an old truck. You find you only drive it a little bit each year. Or maybe you're in the process of restoring it and have only taken it out for a few "test drives." Or, she's your daily driver. Whatever the case, and whether it's a beater or a trailer queen, there are insurance issues that make this a different process from insuring your late-model vehicle.

      In conjunction with Kimberly McDowell, Rachel Kuntz, a licensed insurance agent with Master's degree in Business and series 6 and 63 securities licenses, prepared a great "info sheet" to help you understand some of what's going on in the insurance world.

      Insuring classic automobiles can be difficult. There are many reasons. Often, owners aren’t sure what the value is, the vehicle doesn’t fall into a typical category, or the insurer may not be familiar with classic automobiles. Sometimes, just finding an insurer who wants to work with you can be difficult. One of the best ways to insure a classic vehicle is to belong to a classic automobile hobbyist group. Many groups offer special insurance benefits to their members, provided by insurers who specialize in insuring classic automobiles. Unfortunately, not all groups have access to such benefits and many classic vehicle hobbyists must seek out specialty insurance on their own.

      Check out these tips that can help you with the insuring process.

      A good while ago, Ted Kinsey prepared an article on Electrolytic Derusting.  This has been quite a popular Tech Tip and additional information has been accumulating. Randy Baumann took on the task of updating this Tech Tip, including additional links. The Tech Tip is in pdf format so that it can be printed and included with your other manuals.

      Electrolysis is a technique for returning surface rust to iron. It uses the effect of a low voltage electric current and a suitable electrolyte (solution). It has advantages over the old standbys, like vinegar, Coke™, muriatic acid, Naval Jelly, wire brushing, sand blasting. These methods all remove material to remove the rust, including un-rusted surfaces. With many, the metal is left with a “pickled” look or a characteristic color and texture. The electrolytic method removes nothing: by returning surface rust to metallic iron, rust scale is loosened and can be easily removed. Un-rusted metal is not affected in any way.

      Read on ... there are some very important points to consider!

      We asked Kimberly McDowell to post a question in the forums to find out how people found The Stovebolt Page. We get a LOT of gallery submissions (and even posts in the forums) saying, "Wow, I never knew you all were out here." We were wondering if we were doing something wrong. And, to be honest, we had just been humming along, not worrying about more people -- we were just information junkies! One of the big jokes in the "front office" was getting those spam emails that can "increase our hits." Our response was, "We don't want any more hits. Please! Go away. We're busy!"

      Even people we knew kept asking us about the site or our email address or something like that, and the easiest thing we could usually tell them (so they'd remember), "Just do a Google search for 'restoring an old truck' ... we'll be at the top." We figured even if they just remember the "old truck" part, they'd still find us!

      But now, with all this volunteer help, we've been cranking out stuff pretty good. And ... it does make sense that the more exposure and expertise that come to the site, the better it will be for the Stovebolt Collective!

      So, after a little reality check, Stovebolt HQ finally got around to making up some business cards. After we made ours, we figured you all might like one, too.

      So ... have yourself a Stovebolt biz card! Feel free to copy it and pass it around. If you happen to be in the Gallery, you can brag a bit about being in the Stovebolt Virtual Garage ... and "give 'em your card."

      And since we had already made up a flyer for a Baltimore-Washington American Truck Historical Society meet, we thought we'd throw that in here, too. It's a handy size to hand out. Keep a few in your Bolt ... ya never know when you'll meet a stranded Bolter who is looking for "the Bolt way."

      A BIG thanks to Kimberly McDowell for turning these into pdf files. We've had three different folks trying to do this and we've all had software problems. Once I figure out who's trucks are on the flyer, I'll be sure to mention them here for credit (sorry I don't remember -- it was a while ago).

      So would we! Well, as many as we can get! We have several places to stash calendars this year, so we can get in as many variations as possible. And did you notice, this year, we are not starting on December 31!! It'd be nice to have one for 'Burbs and Panels, BIG BOLTS, Task Force and ... Advance Design ... and maybe "farm / work trucks," daily drivers. All it takes is submissions -- 13 to be exact!

      And of course, our People of the Bolt calendar. (Mongo's been in Vegas so we'll check in with him to see the status of the submissions made so far.)

      So ... time's a-wasting. Come check out the 12 other beauties in our First Edition calendar. We got Mike Hill's 1958 Chevy Apache on the cover. Mike's Grandfather gave him the '58 so Mike wanted to give him a calendar. [Kinda like the t-shirt idea, I suppose :-) ]

      And don't forget the Stovebolt Wall Calendar. This "sample" features George Wells' 1946 Chevy 1/2-ton which he just finished this past May. This is a great shot. We've got tips on what you need to do to submit your pictures for a personalized Wall Calendar, or to be considered in a full 12-month calendar.

      CafePress has authorization with the United States Postal Service to print REAL postage stamps.

      The stamps are sold in sheets of 20 and are available in seven denominations ranging from $.23 (postcard) to $3.85 (1# priority mail).

      Each stamp measures 1.90" x 1.40" and the featured image measures 1.10" x 1.10"

      Got something you'd want on a stamp ... let us know.

     I'm gonna get some for my neices with their picture on it. I figure it'll help with their letter writing!

      If you've got a '46 Stovebolt, you might like this image. Besides Greg's great Stovebolt engine drawing (the stamp on the left here), we'll probably get this one on a few more items. Open to suggestions!