Since you asked...I was late into my collegiate days in 1973 and it was time to go to field camp in another state. At that time I had motorcycle, as did some others that were headed for field camp as well. So I sold my motorcycle and bought the 1952 chevy truck to get us there. There were four of us, so I friend who had recently totaled his firebird gave me his bucket seats, that I then mounted in the bed of my truck up against the cab. Perfect, two in the cab, two in the back (no seat belts anywhere) and off we went. The cooler of beer was in the bed as well, where those two could pass em forward to us in the cab via the window. No fears! back then, eh.
I have owned it since. When I first got the truck my wife's favorite color was red, so I painted the inside metal red, and here being seamstress, made seat covers, door panel covers, and headliner covers with blue denim and red trim. Thus, the present red wheels and grill. I used my truck as a third vehicle for hauling and moving etc all these years hence. However, for the recent 15 years or more it slept in the garage never to driven, never started. The bed became storage, and the rest of got coated with a thick layer of dust and home for a few hundred brown spiders. Last summer 2025, I am now 73 yo, I was diagnosed with a kidney smothered in cancer and it was immediately removed, my future on this side of the dirt in question. I didn't think I would ever be able to work again, so that is when I decided that me and Ol Blue were going to finish this life together-me on my feet doing something, my truck on its wheels doing something. After a couple of months of "piddlin" with the truck I got brave enough to go buy a battery and try to start it. With the aid of a shot into the carburetor, it fired right up. My sat in it for the first time in over 30 years and cried. Too bad I could not take out for a drive, but with no brakes, a bit risky.
I do not plan a full restoration, but will keep it a patina truck that is reliable and safe. I installed 3-pt seat belts in it with a center lap belt. and cleaned the truck up. Presently it is undergoing complete new brake system with a 2-pot MC, and new tires and wheels, and more.
I hope to do some front end safety repairs underneath, and new interior, and eventually change out the old 216 for a later 235 full pressure oiler and improved performance-including the conversion to a 12-volt system.
BTW, it is now June 2026, nearly a year after my kidney thing, and I am still cancer free. I sold my 1956 Fender Tele and that gives me a 20,000.00 budget for the truck.
