The Stovebolt Site Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre Do It Yourself (DITY) Gallery 1953 Re: Chevy 3100 5-window - Rusty - "Serendipity"

We bought Rusty, our 1953 Chevy 3100 five window in July 2017. I had no intention of buying one but have always loved the body style.

My wife and I were helping my son build a fence at his house in Dallas, Oregon and I, being over 65, needed to take a short break. While I was resting, I checked out our local Craigslist in the car section. A 1953 Chevrolet had just popped up moments before for a really great price. I got excited but hated to mention it to my wife as my old car experience has been pushed to the limit over the years.

I did anyway and she said to my surprise “Let's go look.” I called, (first caller) and asked to look.

The truck was about 50 miles away in Junction City, Oregon and when I asked for directions, he said “I’ll meet you half way.” Wow, he had confidence in this truck.

We met in Corvallis and I took it for a drive and negotiated the purchase while I drove. I should have asked my wife first but I could tell she liked it, too.

Instead of following him clear back to Junction City, we left the truck in Corvallis and we drove him home and got the title.

Then I got the pleasure of driving Rusty home through the mowed hay fields and wine country.

In the past year I have changed both cowls, the right rocker, both inside kick panels, front be panel and much much more. I have it back on the road now primed and I am using the braille system for small dents before I paint it.

Lots of pleasure and work ahead. I look forward to it.

Don Thompson

Don, what a great story and one to be remembered long after we are gone. Like they say, time to buy is when you see them so good job.

Keep us posted as you continue to work on it. We love stories like this.

Left cowl repaired, vent door shaved to match 1953.


Don

Nice truck and nice work on the cab! Welcome!
Leo

Great story, it was meant to be.
I too found my truck in Oregon, was able to test drive but could tell something was wrong so it got towed back to Washington. The first drives you will always remember.
Congrats, Steve

How sweet it is. Right person and right time. Just doesn't get any better.

Fishing through the family album,. I found that my Grandpa Knofler owned a 3100. He owned the Golden Eagle Gas Station in Albany, Oregon in the 1950s.
In the attached picture it is him, my uncle and cousin.

I plan to recreate the picture with my own son and grand daughter.

Cool original picture! Thanks for sharing!

I have a 1960 235 engine and a muncie 4 speed transmission. My drive shaft is converted to open with a 56 BelAir differential. As much as I like my current driveline, Parkenson's disease has compelled me to think that an automatic. At this point, it may make driving easier as well as possibly enhancing the safety of the surrounding community.

I have heard a lot of people say that putting an automatic in my truck would be difficult. Part of what I heard was because of the closed drive shaft.

I know that anything is possible but would this be a feasible thing to do without a considerable amount of difficulty.

Thanks!

Don

Since it's already converted to open driveshaft your half way there. Go for it.

Might I suggest a TH350. Other guys may suggest other types they like better. (Folks in the Driveline forum may have some input.)

The TH350 are pretty easy to find and priced right. “Lokar” sales a floor mount shift kit which works well so you steering column doesn’t need to be messed with.

A Powerglide from a 1955-61 passenger car would be a bolt-on swap to your engine if you use the adapter ring that bolts to the 235 block instead of the standard shift bellhousing. Ditto for the flex plate and starter. You would lose the foot start pedal, however. A 1950-54 flex plate and starter would be 6 volt, if your truck hasn't been converted to 12V. I believe the Powerglide equipped cars ran a 3.55:1 rear axle ratio, so check the rear end in your truck to see if it's got that gear. I think the stick shift cars ran a 3.70 gear, but either one would probably work OK. Switching to a TH 350 would give you one more gear, but the conversion is a lot more involved.
Jerry

Thanks for all of the advice. I hope to gain enough momentum to do this soon.