On this day (Nov 10), in 1995, I uploaded the first iteration of what would become Stovebolt.com to the server at Aloha.net just before Peggy and I headed to the Pacific Ballroom at the Hilton Hawaiian Village (on the beach in Waikiki) for the U.S. Marine Corps Birthday Ball.
But YOU all have made it what it has become.
A great ride so far, more to come!
Thank you, John and Peggy
Edited Nov 2025. Merged the Birthday messages from 2022 and 2023. We moved from MD to AL in 2024 and wasn't set up to do much for 2024. So, for 2025 - being the 30th year - we will have new space below for this year.
Last edited by Peggy M; 11/08/20258:56 PM. Reason: added more info to the title
~ John
A kid raised on Hotwheels, Matchbox and Tonka cannot be reasonably expected to own only one vehicle as an adult.
1949 Chevrolet 3804 In the Legacy Gallery | In the Gallery Forum 1973 IH 1310 Dump 1963 Kaiser M38A1 2001 International/AmTran RE3000 "Skoolie" 2014 Ford E-350 4x4 (Quigley)
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
On this day (Nov 10), in 1995, I uploaded the first iteration of what would become Stovebolt.com to the server at Aloha.net just before Peggy and I headed to the Pacific Ballroom at the Hilton Hawaiian Village (on the beach in Waikiki) for the U.S. Marine Corps Birthday Ball.
But YOU all have made it what it has become.
A great ride so far, more to come!
Thank you, John and Peggy
Thank you, John & Peggy.
Happy Anniversary.
Do you have a list of names of the members on that original Stovebolt.com? I think I joined the Aloha.net version around 1997/98?
I had hoped to put more stuff in here ... and I will. This has just been a crazy day. The best I could get in here was the original "flag ship" (Charlie) for the site (to the lef in the corner spot). I'll post more before the weekend is over.
We even have a "history of stovebolt file" that I can pull up. Unfinished, of course.
The Happy Anniversary goes to everyone who made this happen.
~ Peggy M 1949 Chevrolet 3804 "Charlie" - The Stovebolt Flagship In the Gallery “It's not about counting time but making time count." ... Skip Heitzig
Happy Anniversary stovebolt. It's celebrated the world over!
Last edited by Wayne67vert; 11/10/202211:34 PM.
Wayne 1938 1-Ton Farm Truck Stovebolt Gallery Forums 1989 Silverado 1996 Mustang GT convertible When I die, I hope she doesn't sell everything for what I told her I paid for it!
Happy Birthday, Stovebolt! May you enjoy many, many more!!
Cheers, Dean
Thanks Dean, but I think you meant "we" .... May WE enjoy many more
This is, after all, a group effort ... It takes a village ... etc. So don't think you can't get out of it so easily ....
~ John
A kid raised on Hotwheels, Matchbox and Tonka cannot be reasonably expected to own only one vehicle as an adult.
1949 Chevrolet 3804 In the Legacy Gallery | In the Gallery Forum 1973 IH 1310 Dump 1963 Kaiser M38A1 2001 International/AmTran RE3000 "Skoolie" 2014 Ford E-350 4x4 (Quigley)
Got a screen shot of the first few members in the forums (see image below). There are not many listed. As stated in the square below, the discussion forum wasn't introduced until 2000. There are more listed in Members starting in 2000, of course.
Here's a nice blip from the FAQ page:
Quote
Who runs this web site and why??
The Official "First Bolter" of course (and the patron saint of all Bolters) is Louis Chevrolet. Since him, there have been legions of Bolters. A few years later (in November of 1995, to be exact), Bolter John Milliman created this site as a project to learn web site coding and design. With input from Barry Weeks, the site started out as just an information site for '39 and '40 Chevy trucks. One of very first 'Bolters who is still active was Don "Down2Sea" McLendon. In 1997, Tom Brownell, then editor of Vintage Truck Magazine and author of "How to restore your Chevrolet Pickup" suggested we expand the site to cover more models and we created the basic site layout still in use today, albeit greatly expanded! In 2000, we added an interactive discussion forum.
Today, Stovebolt.Com is run on a daily basis by Peggy Milliman. John mainly just tries to stay out of the way and avoid crashing the server ... again. (John provides design and content help when Peggy grants him permission to touch a computer...) Our Technical Support is provided by Paul Schmehl. We also rely heavily on many volunteers who help with content review, forum moderation and general correspondence -- as well as myriad other essential tasks. We simply could not exist without their help! As well, we are very grateful for our generous donors and sponsors who help keep the lights on and the site going. You can see who they are here.
Why do we do it? Because it's fun! From the beginning, we've tried to foster a down-home, family friendly atmosphere that welcomed all -- from folks who didn't own old trucks, but liked them, to the "tribal elders" of the old truck hobby. And thanks to our fabulous volunteers (lead by the amazing and gifted Paul Schmehl who we absolutely could not exist without), generous donors and loyal sponsors, we've been able to create the very best web site of its kind on the net with up-to-date hardware, software and contemporary design without over commercializing the site. Having grown to more than 20,000 pages of content, 7 million hits per month on average and nearly 20,000 registered users from around the world, we think it's worked! We hope you like it! Thanks for stopping by!
(Yet another page that needs updating ... but basically the same story.)
~ Peggy M 1949 Chevrolet 3804 "Charlie" - The Stovebolt Flagship In the Gallery “It's not about counting time but making time count." ... Skip Heitzig
Here is "Gumby" when we had him in Indianapolis. The actual "flag ship" truck that started the whole thing. The truck was part of the early Tech Tips -- our original Featured Truck Projects -- "Originals" -- Off-frame resto of a pre-war pickup -- By John Milliman.
Last edited by Peggy M; 11/11/202212:35 AM.
~ Peggy M 1949 Chevrolet 3804 "Charlie" - The Stovebolt Flagship In the Gallery “It's not about counting time but making time count." ... Skip Heitzig
Here's another goodie for you. Something Paul came across from the Wayback Machine. How many of you remember the Lounge!! And look at those number of posts!
Here's the email that came from Paul ... just this past June.
Quote
October 12, 1999
How far we have come….
The very first record is dated Jan 25, 1999 but it’s a broken screenshot.
You should write something up about the history of the site. I think people would enjoy reading it.
Here we are, twenty-two years later, and still going strong. I think you two should be very proud of what you’ve created.
Paul Schmehl
Paul also found this: "Remember this?" ... this was actually a screen shot of some of the various website stuff we were doing. All fun and great learning experience.
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100 Follow this story in the DITY Gallery "My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine" 1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
A couple of days late, but “Happy Birthday Stovebolt”? I’m glad I found you back in February of 2019. Without your help, My truck would not be running or driving today!
Thanks John and Peggy!
Phil Moderator, The Engine Shop, Interiors and Project Journals
1952 Chevrolet 3100, Three on the Tree, 4:11 torque tube Updated to: ‘59 235 w/hydraulic lifters, 12v w/alternator, HEI, PCV and Power front Disc Brakes Project Journals Stovebolt Gallery Forum
As we very well know, we just built the structure ... you all came and made it alive, breathing and robust. Thank you all "collectively" for doing that.
~ Peggy M 1949 Chevrolet 3804 "Charlie" - The Stovebolt Flagship In the Gallery “It's not about counting time but making time count." ... Skip Heitzig
Crazy day, way back when .... Nov. 10, 1995. Had been working all week (in addition to my actual job -- Director, Consolidated Public Affairs Office, Marine Corps Base, Hawai'i) on this new thing .... called a "web page."
I had started out dialing in, via a phone modem, to "bulletin Boards." Text only. Then you could use "hyper links" to find other bulletin boards without having to dial in to them specifically ...
And then ...we could embed images and graphics ... have colors and do things with text ... and everything changed.
So there I was, wrapping up an initial layout -- my very first "Web Page" (A single page only) to plant a flag, as it were, in this new promised land called the "World Wide Web."
We also had to get ready for the Marine Corps Birthday Ball that evening, which was a big deal. We were stationed at Kaneohe Bay, HI and the Marine Forces Pacific Birthday Ball was huge. Approximately 10,000 Marines and guests in the Pacific Ballroom of the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki. And I was the narrator of the event. I'd narrated birthday balls and other events before, but never one *this* huge.
So I made sure all the HTML (such as it was) was in order and hit "UpLoad" to Aloha.net (our first internet host). Briefly paused to make sure it was on line ... it was ... shut the computer down and got ready for the Ball. And by "getting ready" I don't mean just hopping in the shower briefly, slipping into my dress uniform, diving into the car and heading over to Whacky Whacky ... oh no. With a wife and two teenaged girls ... and I had been over to the ball room earlier in the day for the final run through of the event with the MARFORPAC band, the cake escorts, the side boys, the CO of troops, the distinguished guest escorts ... it wasn't just about logistics, it was ALL about logistics. How I managed to get in a little online time inbetween all that ... I actually don't recall. But I did.
And THAT was the birth of Stovebolt.com.
And we all lived happily ever after.
So ... Happy Birthday, 'Bolters! I may have started it, but YOU have made it great. Thanks for all y'all do to support and grow this community!
John and Peggy
Last edited by Peggy M; 11/10/20234:10 PM.
~ John
A kid raised on Hotwheels, Matchbox and Tonka cannot be reasonably expected to own only one vehicle as an adult.
1949 Chevrolet 3804 In the Legacy Gallery | In the Gallery Forum 1973 IH 1310 Dump 1963 Kaiser M38A1 2001 International/AmTran RE3000 "Skoolie" 2014 Ford E-350 4x4 (Quigley)
Many thanks to John, Peggy and every Bolter that has been a part of this awesome Stovebolt Community throughout the years! Thanks for allowing and encouraging me to be part of this family.
God bless!
PS - Carrying out the orders of the day...
Last edited by Peggy M; 11/10/20234:11 PM.
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100 Follow this story in the DITY Gallery "My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine" 1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
You may secure 59 minutes early today in observance of the Marine Corps birthday.
Carry on.
Skipper
And as we all know, there is no cure like SEcure!!!
~ John
A kid raised on Hotwheels, Matchbox and Tonka cannot be reasonably expected to own only one vehicle as an adult.
1949 Chevrolet 3804 In the Legacy Gallery | In the Gallery Forum 1973 IH 1310 Dump 1963 Kaiser M38A1 2001 International/AmTran RE3000 "Skoolie" 2014 Ford E-350 4x4 (Quigley)
Here are some good birthday responses from last year. Prompted by a few inquiring minds, we were able to dig out a "few firsts" that we found tucked away within this web of info. It was fun to cruise thru some of those again (as I got the "new corner" done and seeing what we had last year).
We keep moving on, thanks to those who are contributing so much for make it so. Thank you all!
~ Peggy M 1949 Chevrolet 3804 "Charlie" - The Stovebolt Flagship In the Gallery “It's not about counting time but making time count." ... Skip Heitzig
Wayne 1938 1-Ton Farm Truck Stovebolt Gallery Forums 1989 Silverado 1996 Mustang GT convertible When I die, I hope she doesn't sell everything for what I told her I paid for it!
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
Wow, I didn't notice that the links work on the WM page. I clicked on the New & Hot page and wondered if it was the old News page. It's older than what I have -- the earliest is 2004 -- HERE IS the list for those.
That's neat about the It Ran ... glad to see some of the photos. We had most of them uploaded to Photobucket but inquiring a few years ago, they had NOT IRWIPI account for us.
Still great memories.
~ Peggy M 1949 Chevrolet 3804 "Charlie" - The Stovebolt Flagship In the Gallery “It's not about counting time but making time count." ... Skip Heitzig
Happy 30th Birthday Stovebolt! Here's to many, many more!!!
Peggy that way back machine link was very cool. I had never looked back to see what things looked like all these years gone by. Thanks for sharing!
Edit: In answer to the questions, Where were you?" November 10th, 1995, I was on active duty and finishing up a year+ long unaccompanied deployment to Korea, on reassignment orders to the Kansas City, MO area where I would reunite with my family just a few days before Thanksgiving. Didn't have my Grandpa's '51 yet, but that would change in the near future.
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100 Follow this story in the DITY Gallery "My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine" 1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
I updated the image used in the Birthday wish news corner - you may not have noticed. Gave me a chance to post this here then.
When we were working on the updated logo for 30 years, we asked the PhotoShop AI to help. There were a lot of options but John ended up going old school: he did it with sheer will and determination, trial and error, or guess and check
I was looking more for a chrome look which PSAI came pretty close to that.
~ Peggy M 1949 Chevrolet 3804 "Charlie" - The Stovebolt Flagship In the Gallery “It's not about counting time but making time count." ... Skip Heitzig
Wayne 1938 1-Ton Farm Truck Stovebolt Gallery Forums 1989 Silverado 1996 Mustang GT convertible When I die, I hope she doesn't sell everything for what I told her I paid for it!
Happy Birthday. To all out there in Stovebolt land, a great present to the Site would be a nice donation. A great gift to keep it going another 30 years. Happy Birthday stovebolt.com
Well, thank you hcb for thinking of Stovebolt land. Your donation came in this morning! We certainly appreciate the comment AND the support.
~ John
A kid raised on Hotwheels, Matchbox and Tonka cannot be reasonably expected to own only one vehicle as an adult.
1949 Chevrolet 3804 In the Legacy Gallery | In the Gallery Forum 1973 IH 1310 Dump 1963 Kaiser M38A1 2001 International/AmTran RE3000 "Skoolie" 2014 Ford E-350 4x4 (Quigley)
Gave me a chance to post this here then.