Click on image for the lowdown. 
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| | | Forums66 Topics128,086 Posts1,056,098 Members48,434 | | Most Online14,466 Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
| | THANKS!
For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Dec 2013 Posts: 21 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Dec 2013 Posts: 21 | I am new to this forum. First off, thanks to everyone who maintains and supports this web site. Most of my questions have been answered by reading the existing comments and following the helpful links. I have a 1952 3100 that is now my retirement project. My brother got the truck about 35 years ago, painted it, drove it for a little while and then parked it in a corn crib in Nebraska for 25 years. I bought it from him about 10 years ago and am finally getting around to working on it. A lot of mice lost a good home when I moved the truck to Iowa. The first step was rebuilding the brakes and replacing the wheel bearings. I put in new spark plugs, changed the oil, and put in a carburetor kit. What a thrill it was when it started right up and I was able to take my grandkids on a ride around the neighborhood. I was originally going to do just enough to fix it up and drive it but then I got started taking things apart and couldn’t stop. Now I plan to restore to original condition as much as possible. It already has a 235 and has been converted to 12 volts. I am now down to the bare frame. I have a body shop that is experienced in restoration who will paint the truck and frame for me. The next step is take the frame and non-appearance parts to a sand blaster and the body parts to a media blaster. I have been researching colors and have come up with the following: Exterior--Mariner blue Cab interior--Champagne Engine, manifold, and clutch housing--grey Air cleaner--semi-gloss black Oil filter body--orange Oil filter top--semi-gloss black Frame, springs, torque tube, rear axle--semi-gloss black Heater--silver brown “hammered paint” Grill inner bars-thistle grey Hopefully the links work to 3 "before" photos. side view PapaBob's 52 front | | | | | Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 255 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 255 | Nice looking truck to start with. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 4,215 Moderator | | Moderator Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 4,215 | Welcome Bob, good to have a plan. Check out the gallery (top of page), likely find other trucks similar to what you want to do. Have fun!
Leo | | | | | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall | | Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 | Bob, you have a good truck. Way to go. Let us know how we can help. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,074 Authorized Pest | | Authorized Pest Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,074 | Bob looks like he's got a lot of fun ahead of him with this neat old truck.
We've got him in for the 1/1/14 Gallery. Any of you wanting a sneak-peak, just check his signature line.
Cheers, Peg
~ Peggy M 1949 Chevrolet 3804"Charlie" - The Stovebolt FlagshipIn the Gallery"We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give." -- Winston Churchill | | | | | Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 2,409 Former Workshop Owner | | Former Workshop Owner Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 2,409 | Nice looking truck Bob. Welcome to the "Bolt".
John
~ J Lucas 2006 GMC Envoy 4.2 I6 2023 Ram 2500/Cumins 6.7 I6 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee (Wife’s) 2002 Silverado 2500 Gas 6.0 1941 Chevy 1/2-Ton 1942 Chevy 1.5-Ton SWBIn the Gallery My Flicker Photos! | | | | | Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,518 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,518 | Hoes the restore going? Any updates ? 1953 Chevrolet 3100261 cu inch, sm420, 3.55 rear, torque tube still,omaha orange, still 6 volt, RPO green glass, side carrier spare, all done In the DITY GalleryVideo of the 261 running1964 GMC 1000305 Big Block V6, sm420, the next cab off restoration
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2013 Posts: 21 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Dec 2013 Posts: 21 | I installed the last parts today on my 52 3100. I tried to keep everything original but did use chrome bumpers and a chrome grille instead of painted. I also used hickory boards for the bed which I think turned out really well. I am very happy with the paint job done by AutoBody Pros here in Cedar Falls, IA. I still have lots of little things to work on but should be ready for a parade next spring that my granddaughter wants to use Papa's 52 as a float for the Rainbow Girls. Hope the links below work to some pictures. side view bed interior guages engine left engine left interior right front front | | | | | Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 233 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 233 | Welcome Bob, you have a super nice truck. Lots of good people and advise (sometimes tart).
1953 Chevy 3100 261 and SM420 53Chevy 31001953 Mack Firetruck 1972 Porsche 911 1986 Honda Goldwing
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,987 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,987 | | | | | | Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 476 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 476 | Very Nice truck you have there, the chrome front end looks great I'm originally from Waterloo. Moved to Florida 27 years ago. Your right this is a great site! | | | | | Joined: Feb 2012 Posts: 506 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2012 Posts: 506 | Awesome truck Bob. That is quite a turn around in less then a year and a half! Well done!!
Thanks
Larry
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,074 Authorized Pest | | Authorized Pest Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,074 | Thanks for sending the update Bob. You certainly got a lot done in a little bit of time! She looks great!
Peg
~ Peggy M 1949 Chevrolet 3804"Charlie" - The Stovebolt FlagshipIn the Gallery"We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give." -- Winston Churchill | | | | | Joined: Oct 2014 Posts: 12 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Oct 2014 Posts: 12 | Hello Bob! I just caught your truck in the gallery and am new to the forum. I am over in Ackley and have a '52 3/4 ton, a retired water truck from Hansel Fire Dept. Just saying howdy neighbor!
I hate new trucks! My menagerie: 1952 Chevy 3800 "Ol' Blue '52" 1979 Chevy C-10 "Ol' Red" 1968 Triumph T100R
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 2,409 Former Workshop Owner | | Former Workshop Owner Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 2,409 | Bob,
Very nice indeed, great job. Thanks for sharing your pics.
John
~ J Lucas 2006 GMC Envoy 4.2 I6 2023 Ram 2500/Cumins 6.7 I6 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee (Wife’s) 2002 Silverado 2500 Gas 6.0 1941 Chevy 1/2-Ton 1942 Chevy 1.5-Ton SWBIn the Gallery My Flicker Photos! | | |
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