The Stovebolt Site Forums Project Journals Archived Journals 1951 Chevy 3100/3600 Project

It's been a while since I last posted an update on my project. In fact, it's been quite a while since I was able to do any work on the truck do to changes in my full-time job keeping me busy.

I've set a goal to have my truck (incomplete as it is) on display in my town's annual car show on June 24th. To that end, I'm working on getting the doors repaired and complete enough that they can be installed (minus windows at this point). The passenger side door has been in primer for some time, and needs very minor work on the bottom. The driver's side door needed to have the bottom of the inside panel replaced. This section is formed in a slight "S" shape. I don't have a set of rolls to use, so I clamped a suitable piece of sheet steel to a length of 4" dia. pipe and gently hammered it to shape, then flipped it over and repeated the procedure. The end result was pretty respectable. It's been fitted into the hole and awaits welding (I discovered I was out of shield gas).

While I couldn't do any work on the truck per se, I was able to acquire stuff for it (which is just as fun). All new gaskets, etc., for the windows, new springs, gaskets and chrome handles for the door latch mechanisms, and a complete kit for a proper bed.

I expect to be moving the truck from its temporary quarters (a 40 ft. shipping container at my work) to my home soon, thanks to finally (after 14 years) getting my son's '64 VW Bug chassis out of my garage and into his!