Hey everyone! I’ve been a registered lurker on here for a bit now, and I’ve finally mustered up the courage to post my story.
I’ve been wanting a early 50’s Chevy truck for as long as I can remember, and just recently I was able to finally see my dream of getting horrendously filthy and swearing at old rusty metal come true!
I picked up a 1952 Chevy 3100 a few weeks ago. The body, besides having that “wonderful” patina, is in pretty darn good shape! There’s a few holes in the floor pan, so I’m planning on getting my welding skills honed up before I tackle that. It still has the original 216 (which turns by hand so I’m hopeful), and is completely stock.
Right now I’m still in cleanup and discovery mode, I’ve got all but the cab off and have been removing dirt by the pound out of every nook and cranny. As soon as I get the cab off (hopefully this week) I can get the frame sanded down to metal and take stock of what I can reuse, and what I need to replace.
I have already found an absolute wealth of knowledge here from everyone’s posts, and I hope to reap the benefits with my own questions here as well. Who knows, maybe I’ll get good enough at this yo start helping others as well.
Thank you all for the help you have silently provided me so far and I look forward to being active with y’all here.
Bret from Katy, TX
1952 Chevy 3100 - currently apart and hogging up the garage.
Bret, welcome to the Stovebolt. You are now an official member of the Texas Connection and there are quite a few of you here. Congrats on finding a truck that is much more solid than what a bunch of us have started with. That is a good thing!!!
You will find answers to your questions by posting in the most appropiate forum for t ha particular thing. (not here in welcome center) Also please note that you are "moderated" for your first 4 post so you will not be able to send PM's (Private messages) to anyone. Once you get 4 post under your belt you can pm and enjoy all Stovebolt has to offer.
Look forward to seeing you around the garage forums.
Welcome to the Stovebolt madness! There is no cure.
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)
Bret, welcome to the Stovebolt. You are now an official member of the Texas Connection and there are quite a few of you here. Congrats on finding a truck that is much more solid than what a bunch of us have started with. That is a good thing!!!
You will find answers to your questions by posting in the most appropiate forum for t ha particular thing. (not here in welcome center) Also please note that you are "moderated" for your first 4 post so you will not be able to send PM's (Private messages) to anyone. Once you get 4 post under your belt you can pm and enjoy all Stovebolt has to offer.
Look forward to seeing you around the garage forums.
Thank you so much! I was super excited when I found it. I was really hoping to land a project with minimal body work, as my welding skills are nowhere where they need to be.
1952 Chevy 3100 - currently apart and hogging up the garage.
Nice find and I love the patina. I'm in the same stage as you are, tearing apart and seeing what can be re-used. Unfortunately I have zero welding skills so I'm going to have to farm out some of my work.
Looks like you have a gem to start with. Must be a warm weather area truck, a real plus, since I cannot see where it has had a heater of any kind unless it was a Southwind gas heater. Firewall is unmolested and what I can see looks bone stock. These are getting hard to find---good luck.
Nice find and I love the patina. I'm in the same stage as you are, tearing apart and seeing what can be re-used. Unfortunately I have zero welding skills so I'm going to have to farm out some of my work.
Keep us updated on your progress.
Rob
That's my biggest worry too, is the welding. I'm trying to decide if it would be worth it to get a cheap MIG and get my skills up, or just farm out the work. I'm guessing with the costs of hauling out the parts it might even out :P.
1952 Chevy 3100 - currently apart and hogging up the garage.
Looks like you have a gem to start with. Must be a warm weather area truck, a real plus, since I cannot see where it has had a heater of any kind unless it was a Southwind gas heater. Firewall is unmolested and what I can see looks bone stock. These are getting hard to find---good luck.
Thanks coilover! I actually got a copy of the original title when it was purchased new in 1952, and it's been a Texas truck it's whole life. Lovett Motor Co. out of Seguin, TX! No heater, A/C, radio, or anything. Completely bone stock. The only "accessory" was 50 pounds of authentic TX soil! LOL!
1952 Chevy 3100 - currently apart and hogging up the garage.
Welcome. I never noticed before how the dealership placed their logo in front of the Chevrolet script on the hood, that's a great touch, I hope you keep it. Truck just needs some love, going to be a great project.
~ Craig 1958 Viking 4400 "The Book of Thor" Read the story in the DITY 1960 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)
Come Bleed or Blister, something has got to give!!! | Living life in the SLOW lane
Welcome. I never noticed before how the dealership placed their logo in front of the Chevrolet script on the hood, that's a great touch, I hope you keep it. Truck just needs some love, going to be a great project.
Hi TUTS 59. I am absolutely going to keep it. I’m really hoping I can take it somewhere to get it cleaned up and rechromed. I think it would be a great way to help preserve its history.
1952 Chevy 3100 - currently apart and hogging up the garage.
