Stovebolt.com Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre New guy GMC Big Bolt COE

Thank for letting me in. Yesterday my helper and I rescued / salvaged a 1953 GMC COE Cab off a lot in Camden NJ with a rollback where it sat unattended for the past 40 years. I have collected enough GMC COE parts to almost build another complete truck minus the cab. It going to be a major undertaking but I should be able to get a nice complete truck with a bunch of spare parts left over. We had to cut the frame just behind the cab and leave to box behind. Had to fabricate a 4 wheel cart and weld it to the frame to assist it on the rollback. Wish I knew how to post pictures.

COE's are one of my favorite trucks. Hauled pulpwood on one years ago.....name was Ragdoll. Looking forward to following you on your build. You may want to start a "build thread" in the DIY forum or in the Project Forum. Let us know how we can help.

Welcome to the site, I like the COEs too, very nice. I don't think you can post your pics til you've made at least 4 or 5 posts. You can double check with the IT forum near the bottom of the page. Good to have lots of spare parts, you never know what exactly you're going to end up needing. Just be sure to enjoy the journey of getting it back together. Also, remember we're here to help if you need it.

Leo

I have a 1954/55 GMC 350 COE flatbed.

COEs are cool.

COE parts are often hard to find. It is good that you have collected spares.

If you have any GM COE questions, you are in luck. One of our members, Spanky, knows a lot about them.
And, many other members are also ready to help/advise.

Welcome

Thanks for the welcomes. I've always been a Chevy / GMC enthusiast stuck in the 60s but I forgot. Thirty (30) years ago the old lady and I had two (2) 65 Chevy Panels, 1/2 ton, 1 ton and a 63 GMC 4X4 Suburban with plaid valve covers. I've strayed but now I'm reliving my past and I'm getting back into it stuck in the 50s.

welcome to the site! I am another one that really likes COEs!

Well I guess it's true. I'll be stuck in the 50s for awhile now. While hunting parts last week for my 1953 GMC COE I ran across a 1953 Chevy 3100 Panel. I went this morning for a second look and it followed me home on a rollback. It's now sitting comfortable in my driveway. I stepped in it this time.

This is an addictive hobby......just ask anyone. But take heart. There are lots of other things we could be doing that is a lot worse......at least that is what I keep reminding my wife! There are several of us "panel" guys around so let us know if you need help and check out the Panel Forum along the way.
When you can, we'd love to see a picture or two. Oh, congrats on the "find". There are lots less panels than pickups. LOL


.....nothing wrong with being stuck in the 50's. Of all the places I can think of that is about as good as it gets!

My addictive interests are numerous and they go far beyond just vehicles but I've always had a particular affliction for Chevy Panels. I've owned two mid 60s Chevy Panels and a 63 GMC Suburban 4x4. One of my all-time favorites was our Suburban. We like to be different, that’s why we’re crazy enough to tackle a COE project. We’re not the first and it’s all been done before. There are some who might be better at what they do but we’re not easily frightened from a challenge. I wasn't purposely looking for a Panel but the right deal came along and I prefer it to have happened this way. It’s a good start towards being a Resto Mod. When finished it will have Air Conditioning, Power steering, independent front suspension, power brakes with discs up front. I hope no one is offended or they hold that against me. The Panel is a roller minus the engine and transmission. It has an early 70s Camaro Front Sub Frame with an 8-1/2 inch 10 bolt GM Rear. I bought a low miles 1987 Chevy Caprice 9C1 Police Interceptor a few years ago specifically to use as a donor. I've been discriminately looking for a transplant recipient since. All the naughty bits and heavy duty accouterments from the 9C1 will find their way on the Panel. There is a plan to the madness and I’ve been putting plan together for a while.

We have been collecting parts and there is a similar planned madness for the COE but it is starting out as a much rougher project so it will be put on hold for a while because the Panel is much closer to being road worthy. It cost my son and I 3 days’ time more than money to save the COE. The owner of the property where it sat for the past 40 years was glad to see it gone to a good cause. We used our creativity salvaging the COE where most other idiots wanted it but they couldn’t figure out how to pull it off.

I’m not a computer whiz and I have no idea how to post pictures. I’d love to show how we got the COE to our shop. I have lot of inquiries but I don’t want to be redundant seeking answers already addressed in earlier topics. For now I’ll go thru archives to absorb and gleam as much knowledge as I can and have at it dive in and get our hands dirty. No other way to learn then to not be intimidated and just DO IT…