I have been down this road in both ways. My first restoration was a 46 1/2 ton P/U.
I restored it to its original state except for Patricks 3.55 rear end and 8 volt battery. It was a great truck, but fragile when it came to I-95 speeds and braking ability.
My second was another 46 with a 350 and auto transmission. It ran all day at turpike speeds but I missed the originality.
My 3rd and fourth vehicles are the results of my experiences with the first two.
The 3rd is a 1941 1 Ton Long Bed pickup that will appear totally original until you get up close, look at the dash or raise the hood.
It will have a stock Chevy 350, 700R4 transmission, 3.73 rear end, updated brakes with dual master cylinder and modern gauges.
It could be put back to its original state if one choose to do that. This will be my daily driver.
My show/fun truck is a 1946 Chevy Suburban School Bus with tailgate, not panel doors.
This Suburban will have updated brakes, split system with disc brakes upfront behind artillery wheels, 235 engine, 4 speed transmission (out of the 41 1 ton), 3.42 rearend, 12 volt electrical system, original dash and insturments with higher pressure oil gauge graphics, and seating for 8 as it came from the factory. This vehicle could also be put back 100% original status if you desired to that sort of thing.
Heres the bottom line: If you get too radical with the vehicle and then need to sell it you have 2 problems.
The first is that you have to find someone who likes it.
The second is finding some one who likes it and has the funds to buy it.
Original trucks will always appreciate in value while hoped up highly modified ones do not.
Keep it original except for safety and minor mechanical upgrades and you can have the best of both worlds.
One final point. When you arrive at any destination in an older truck everybody smiles and has fond memories of the days past when the roads were full of your now rare vehicle. You do not always get that same reaction with rat rods, low riders and extremely loud highly modified vehicles. You will probably not spend as much money either.
Dave Murray
