Welcome to stovebolt. So it's all original and been like that for 60 years and probably driven daily for many of those years. What makes you think you have to modernize it? If it is your only vehicle, maybe, but if it is just your hobby truck the value of it will diminish with any "improvement" you make.

1953 Chevrolet 3600
Fried Green T'mater (Vern)
In the Stovebolt Gallery
Caution: Political Statement
Man who runs in front of car gets tired, man who runs behind car gets exhausted.