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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!
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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: Jun 2017 Posts: 370 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2017 Posts: 370 | I bought a 1949 3600 that was in mostly original shape. I’ve been repairing, fixing it up. No frame off no pulling the engine. Just repaired with new original parts. Painted the interior to bring it back to stock color. Rebuilt the bed with wood and new strips with a bolt kit. Wet sanded the paint and buffed it to shine.
What is this called? People ask if I’m restoring it. I just say I’m repairing and fixing it. They ask if it’s original. I’m not sure if the motor is the first one in it. But it’s not a new one. I really don’t know what to say.
What should I respond with?
Thanks Don
Can’t begin to tell you how much I hate the name Stovebolt.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,839 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,839 |
Craig My '50 Chevy 3100 5 window, '62-235cu, 3:55 rear My truck ....... Respect The Rust If I'm not working on my truck, '65 m00stang or VW camper, I'm fishing with the wife or smoking Salmon.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 Riding in the Passing Lane | | Riding in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 | I call it refurbished.
George
They say money can't buy happiness. It can buy old Chevy trucks though. Same thing. 1972 Chevy c10 Cheyenne SuperIn the Gallery Forum | | | | | 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 | ...just giving the old girl some TLC. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,279 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,279 | I'd call it "Mine." and ask, Whadayou got?"
Some get bent out of shape when one says, "I restored it to original condition." Which of course is not possible, since they are original only once.
More acceptable to persnickety folks if one describes it as restored to as-built condition. (Which seems odd to me since they can only as-built once... But oh well.)
I tell them mine is a slightly modded resto.
Last edited by 52Carl; 02/07/2018 2:13 AM.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 3,386 Crusty Old Sarge | | Crusty Old Sarge Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 3,386 | I would just say it's THERAPY, good for the soul, not too bad for the truck either.
~ Craig 1958 Viking 4400"The Book of Thor"Read the story in the DITY1960 Chevrolet C10"A Family Heirloom"Follow the story in the DITY Gallery'59 Apache 31, 327 V8 (0.030 over), Muncie M20 4 Speed, GM 10 Bolt Rear... long term project (30 years and counting) If you don't like driving yourTruck, you won't drive yourTruck..| Living life in the SLOW lane | | | | | Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 693 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 693 | | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 | It looks original and not much modified I say “mostly original” which covers all the little changes and perhaps 216 to 235 engine swaps done over the past 70 years just to keep the otherwise more or less original truck on the road. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,440 Bolter | | Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,440 | Preserving it! 
Martin
'62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress)
'47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project)
‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily)
‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence)
“I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one!
Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop!
USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2015 Posts: 2,063 Big Bolt Forum Moderator | | Big Bolt Forum Moderator Joined: Dec 2015 Posts: 2,063 | enjoying it! Making it driveable and enjoyable, and not changing things just for the sake of changing them! I use mine! | | | | | Joined: May 2016 Posts: 268 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2016 Posts: 268 | Just tell them your wasting away the kids inheritance!! I sure am.
Last edited by Johnny N; 02/07/2018 5:23 PM.
1949 gmc 1-ton | | | | | Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 3,441 Moderator - The Electrical Bay | | Moderator - The Electrical Bay Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 3,441 | IROAN Inspect and Repair Only As Necessary
Another quality post.
Real Trucks Rattle
HELP! The Paranoids are after me!
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2012 Posts: 843 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2012 Posts: 843 |
57 3200 pickup 265 V8 with service tray
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2017 Posts: 370 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2017 Posts: 370 | Okay! Great posts guys. I pretty much say most of those things. My truck was in great non running shape when I bought it. Fixed and rebuilt most items from the breaks to the old horn. Wet sanded the paint and rubbed it out by hand and with chips, scratch’s and small rust spots. It looks better than lots of new paint jobs I see at cruises. I can turn the key and press on the starter peddle and it starts on the first try. Runs like a top.
Having great fun, thanks for the responses
Don
Can’t begin to tell you how much I hate the name Stovebolt.
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2016 Posts: 146 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2016 Posts: 146 | Either that or "fixin' 'er up." | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | Restoring it as much as possible (and, as much as I know) to original appearance and specifications.
A much as I want, and as much as I am able to afford.
For one of my trucks, at shows, I would post a sign asking what three pieces/parts do not look as they did originally.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2000 Posts: 734 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2000 Posts: 734 | Most folks don't know AD trucks from a hole in the ground. They swear on a stack of bibles 235 is the original factory engine. That gripes me and maybe anyone else who's cheerfully endured the limitations of a truly original 216 in a modern world. But I've loved it for the past 36 years wouldn't have it any other way. So if folks actually care enough to ask about it, I say it's never been off the frame and I've done what's necessary to keep it running and looking nice. They seem to appreciate that. 
Matthew 6:33 1952 Chevy 1/2-ton 3100 Late '55 235/SM420/torque tube 3.55 Dalton Highway survivor (using original 216) www.truckwithaheart.com | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | "They swear on a stack of bibles 235 is the original factory engine."
That mistake is understandable from a non-Stovebolt-devotee.
The 216 was not the first, nor the last, stovebolt engine size. The 235s were around longer, even though that includes seven/nine different styles/sizes of Stovebolt engines.
I just correct them in a friendly manner, and try not to go into esoterica. Usually these conversations are quite friendly.
"What do you tell them?"
Don, you could ID your motor and let them know what you have and what would have been original in your year/model truck. | | | | | Joined: Jun 2017 Posts: 370 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2017 Posts: 370 | "They swear on a stack of bibles 235 is the original factory engine."
That mistake is understandable from a non-Stovebolt-devotee.
The 216 was not the first, nor the last, stovebolt engine size. The 235s were around longer, even though that includes seven/nine different styles/sizes of Stovebolt engines.
I just correct them in a friendly manner, and try not to go into esoterica. Usually these conversations are quite friendly.
"What do you tell them?"
Don, you could ID your motor and let them know what you have and what would have been original in your year/model truck. I’ve looked it up. It’s a 216 and I think someone must have rebuilt it because it runs too well for a 60 year old truck.
Can’t begin to tell you how much I hate the name Stovebolt.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | | | | | | Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 54 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 54 | I need a sign for mine:
NOT ORIGINAL
NOT RESTORED
JUST MAINTAINED
Yes, officer it's licensed.
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2015 Posts: 338 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Oct 2015 Posts: 338 | I saved a 55 Cameo as you describe... call it "saved".
Saved from everything from rats, rust and decay to air bags and IS swaps! | | |
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