The Stovebolt Site Forums Project Journals Completed Journals 1949 Chevy 3600 -- Building "The Beast"

I took the old Beast out for a ride the other day and I am still amazed at the attraction it is. Two guys in a newer truck stopped me and asked if it was still a six volt and did it have the starter pedal on the floor.

Another stopped me at a light just to look it over and another guy stopped me at the lottery ticket store. That guy peppered me with questions and really loved the patina.

These are always total strangers and love the old truck. They have at least a small understanding of the time and money you have put into your classic. Like anything else they will never no all the issues until they tackle one. Most will never do so but they appreciate your hard work. It takes everyone back to a different time in their lives.

Now, here I am in February of 2020. I’ve been driving this truck for years now. I have owned several other classics since the last time I wrote anything. Most have come and gone. Like my dream car- it was a 1928 Model A. I even had a magazine do an article on it. But, now it’s gone. But the truck remains. I even had my first hiccup with the truck. It all started when I changed the oil and filter. I filled the oil back to the correct level and assumed all was well. My bad. I discovered my engine was leaking oil like crazy. Turns out the seal on the canister was bad. I drove it nearly empty of oil for a good eight miles or so. Imagine my horror when I pulled the dipstick and nothing was on it. My heart went into my throat. I had a heck of a time re sealing that lid. I even put on a new valve cover gasket for good measure. After way too much tinkering I got the seal to finally stick. The truck is in my building for the winter and I cannot wait to get her back on the road come warm weather. Still till this day the truck is a head grabber. I can park next to some of the best vehicles at a show and still get all the looks. Why? Because it’s pure. I did not resto mod it, I did not paint the body or fake the patina. I did not clear coat it either. People just love it. I have had old men sit in it , children sit in it as well as stand in the bed, I have had people offer me way too much money for it, I’ve had some “ challenged” people look for it every year and I look for them. It’s a people magnet vehicle. I see others with shiny, painted, chromed, blown, chopped, murdered, sliced, channeled, and more but my truck just grabs everyone. I wish I had a buck for every story that has been told to me over the years. The best part of the truck is this. While we have all grown older the truck is timeless. I’ve had people tell me they look forward to seeing her every year. It doesn’t change but we do. She gets more attention than vehicles worth a hundred grand and up. The truck was blood, sweat, tears and cash but it has brought tons of smiles to everyone who sees her. Yes, she is slow, she rattles, she’s a bit rusty, and yet, she is beautiful