Writing an opening post in a forum like this is pretty surreal. I just put an offer on a 1958 Chevy 3100 "Apache" and I expect to win it. I have wanted to restore a car since I was young, now that I'm 30 I've saved enough to start.
About meI grew up on a farm in Arkansas. I was home-schooled, progressed through college quickly, and was a Registered Nurse in Baptist Hospital by the time I was 20. I was pretty burnt out by the time I was 28, and began looking for other options. I'd been repairing pinball machines and 80's arcade machines in my spare time for a few years, and opened up full time and at the same time enrolled in engineering school. I will graduate in a year with an ME. Either I was too efficient or there's just not much of a market here for vintage entertainment machines but it went well for a year and then I ran out of work. So then, I remodeled two houses, and found that painting was part of remo that had the best return for me. It's easy work, but I'm good at it and it's paying for school and my family, and I have more work than I can handle. I actually like it so much, and it's so stress free that I might just keep doing it after I get my degree.
When I was in high school, my Father bought a 1976 MCI 8, which we stripped to the frame and built a motorhome from the bays up. We rebuilt the Detroit engine, and a generator, (and two tractor engines, one tranny, v8 in a boat, and the carbs in the old GMC's the fire station.) All that to say, I can weld steel and sheet, and I'm good with a torch. I've used an HVLP almost every day for 2 years now and I'm getting good. I can repair literally anything if it's mechanical or electrical, but I am completely worthless when it comes to talking cars and talking shop. I know little about the history, and what motor was in what, and what things are called...I don't know any tips and tricks. I don't know what engines are good for what and where they come from. I've just repaired what I've had. I feel like I come with good skills and little knowledge.
The '58 ApacheI've got about $8k to start, and I found this guy in Searcy who's asking $5100 for a rusty 1958 Apache. It has a rebuilt in-line six...which I think is a 235 which he says he rebuilt with his dad; some kind of 4 speed manual on the floor. It's an absolute blast to drive. Ping pongs all over the place. No muffler. No electrics whatsoever work. Has all it's glass. Chassis appears to be in good shape. Started on the second crank. A little water vapor came out of the valve cover after it got warm, but it'd been sitting a month or two. Rust: Driver's side pan under a window leak 3" round, back driver side fender, and rear of door frame, and what I think is called a rocker panel. The rest of the truck looks pretty solid... but you know. This truck appears to be one I can handle with the skills I have, and one I can afford. I also feel like this kid did a good job on the motor and tranny, he's the capable but cautious type. It also comes with a chrome trim kit, and two more inline-sixes, some body panels, and two 3-speed transmissions. So hopefully it works out cause I'm getting excited about this becoming a reality for us.
My wife is the grand-daughter of, we'll say, an "important person" in the NSRA, and it's cool that this is kind of her dream too. We've been wanting to take a car to shows since before we were married, and on our own steam. Our plan is to repair or upgrade the steering, put in some safety measures and try to hit some nearby shows this year... then hopefully have it where we want it for Louisville next year for the 50th Anniversary show. I'm still getting used to the shows, and it's hard to get real perspective since it's always a family affair.
If you made it this far, I'm glad to be here and I'm excited. Thanks for letting me join I hope this is a place I can learn and contribute.
-GB Ward
This my first post here in the DITY Gallery. I have laid out details on the engine HERE in the Engine Shop. This is the engine that came in it. Then I have a thread HERE for the new engine.
