The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Fun story about my 1929 Chevy truck doors.

Last week my wifes mother passed away. While we were in S.E. Colorado making arrangements for her funeral, the family decided to go on a tour of my mother inlaws roots.
She was born and grew up in a dugout. For those that don't know what a dugout is, it's not a baseball dugout, it's a home that is dug out in the side of a hill.
(sod roof, dirt floor, dirt walls, wood front)
Anyway, we had heard stories of how the family was so poor that they couldn't afford a car so my mother inlaws brother, (Who was killed on Omaha beach during the war) went to the dump to assemble a vehicle out of all different types of vehicles to make a car.
The base vehicle was an Essex.
As we are walking through the prairie on the old homestead, I began to see parts of the essex all over the place.
Some of you may know that I have been looking for doors for my wifes 1929 Chevy truck.
I'm looking down at these doors on the ground and thinking, "these look very close to fitting on the Chevy truck". So I decided to bring back one of the doors to see how close it was to the Chevy truck door.
I get back to the house and guess what. IT FITS!!!
Now this is probably insulting to you purist out there, but we are not restoring the vehicle for resale. We are rebuilding to pass this down through the family.
You're probably thinking, BLASPHEMY! Hah
The whole family is excited that we will be able to incorporate the ford doors on the Chevy.
Her brother Elmers doors, that she loved dearly on the family truck.
The hinge pattern has to be modified on the middle hinge, and the door is about 1" taller, but I can modify it to make it work.
I will put some pictures on my photo bucket in a few days.

Dinodave,

Nice story,

Do not be so tough on us. I like my trucks to be as "stock" looking as possible; HOWEVER, I really like what you are doing with family heirlooms and family history.

Thank again, for the good story and sharing your family history.

At first glance, your post appeared to be one of those long-winded ones, but after reading it, it left me wanting more! Great read. Thank you.
Carl

Two thumbs up to you pal. Go for it. Any hecklers just send them on down to S.C. We know how to handle them down here!

Wow! I'm impressed!
I thought I would be kicked off the site. Lol
When I first started this project and before i ran across Stovebolt, I went to the local Model A club in Colorado Springs to get some direction and they were very rude to me.
Very snobby.
I was hoping I wouldn't be blackballed here after telling my story. Actually, think it was a God thing that I ran across these doors and are able to include them in the family history.
I just uploaded the pictures on photobucket if you want to take a look.
Here's an interesting observation:
I always wondered WHY the actual doors that are supposed to be on the vehicle don't match up with the front end on a 1929 Chevy truck.
If you look at pictures, the actual door has two decorative ribs or bumps that run horizontal just below the window opening about 6"s apart, but they don't match up with the single rib on the front end.
With this Essex door, there is a single decorative rib that matches up with the front end perfect.

When I go back for the other door in a couple of weeks, there are rear fenders there as well. Some 1929 Chevy trucks had a rear fender and some didn't. It appears that there are bolt areas to connect on the running boards, but I believe it never had any. From the pictures i've seen with bumbers, I think they look better.
Thanks for everyone support,
Dino dave

Dino Dave, you and Johnny Cash would get along great. Someone will post a link I'm sure.

Great story!

Wife's family started a homestead in NW Oklahoma after a Land Run in 1900. The dugout they used is still partially visible, if someone points it out.

Sorry to hear of the loss, Dinodave. As far as the doors go - I like it a lot; write the story down on paper, laminate it, & tape it inside the doors or something. In the end, the story is what makes things appealing.
What story do they have to tell about their doors???
Brad

Let's keep this about the '29 Chevy, please.

One piece at a time. And it didn't cost me a dime.

Thanks for sharing your Essex door story. Our family shared stories of trips from Washington state to Grand Rapids in their Essex sedan. Happy to hear that your "Chevessex" is under restoration. Keep us posted on your progress.

Just got to read your story. I'm very sorry to hear you lost your mother. I know how important they are. I lost mine also, and my father. Sounds like you have the makings of a great truck. I would love to find one around that model and bring it back to life. Good luck and please keep us posted. Sounds like you might know where black balls are used!! I do. Steven