The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Panels 'N Burbs 1953 Chevrolet Panel Truck 3100

Good moring to everyone. I found this site several years ago and I always enjoyed it. I didn't have a Stovebolt then and was into restoring Chevelles and El Caminos then.

They are all gone now and My Wonderful Wife knew for years how much I wanted a Chevrolet Panel Truck anywhere from 1947-1953.

Well she surprised me a few weeks ago and found one and we are going this Friday to have it hauled back to my garage.

I grew up with my Dad having a 1954 Chevy Panel Truck, and then a 1965 Chevy Suburban.

My favorite was always the Panel truck. They changed the grille totally in the 1954 year model and a few other changes like engine and some interior and dash parts. I can't wait to bring home My Chevy Panel Truck !!! It is a dream come true for me and thanks to My Wonderful Wife !!!!!

The truck doesn't have the title. The owner had passed away several years ago and had lost it. But, it does have the metal plate inside the drivers door riveted on. The plate is in good shape and you can see and read the serial number clearly. So, it doesn't say VIN # it says Serial Number, so I am assuming that serial number is the VIN number ??? Am I correct guys ??

I will be taking many pics. and will post some up in the upcoming weeks.

Love this Site !!!!

Thanks Guys.

Welcome to the 'bolt... please post pix of your new truck.

Welcome to the Stovebolt madness. There is no cure!
You are correct, VIN #s didn’t come along until several years later. Most GM vehicles were titled off the motor serial number so if it has the original motor you may just be able to file for a lost title. If not, every State has a process for retitling a vehicle.

As posted above, the Engine Serial Number that is pressed/stamped into a ledge in the block, forward of where the distributor goes into the block.
Find and post that code and members will help to "decode" it.

Post the vehicle identification code that is on the metal plate on/in the door jamb.
Find and post that code and members will help to "decode" it.

If you have a 1954-1963 Chevrolet truck, here are the locations of those codes.

Welcome to the site. Panel trucks rule, for sure. I had a 1953 Chevy panel, had to sell it a few years ago when I moved. There is a forum on here just for panels and Suburbans, be sure to check it out. Be sure to put up some pics.

Welcome Garageguy6078!

Please do share pictures and your journey (including trials and tribulations ) when you get that panel home.

Anytime you need a hand, absolutely post a question. This is a fantastic group of folks here, ready to help and share knowledge and experience in anyway we can.

Look forwarded to joining you in the forums.

Welcome Guy!

I wasn't sure if your name was also "Guy." That's a local name where we live.

If you want to talk about your Chevelles and El Caminos, we have The Greasy Spoon for non-truck chat and all kinds of crazy things. I think those folks will enjoy hearing from you ... when you have some down-time.

In The Parking Lot area, you'll find Panels & Burbs Forum. A very specific group . As is the 60 - 66 Forum in Parking Lot.

You will probably spend most of your time in The Shops Area Forums. Familiarize yourself with those areas and if it seems it is not covered, go ahead and post in General Truck Talk.

We have some help in the IT Shortbus if you need it for getting around the site. There's a good post about best way to search the site.

Leo has a link to his Gallery page. Many Bolters have their truck(s) listed in their signature line. (See image below.)

So, welcome to the site. Hope we haven't overwhelmed you with donuts and coffee.

Welcome. I am also from western PA. What area exactly are you from? Post some pics. We are all itching....

Welcome, I also many years ago lived in Pa. but in the southeastern part, I could sled across into Md. If the roads were slick enough, Actually I was born in Md. Good luck with your project.

I I pulled my 216 original engine and transmission last Saturday (5/09) and have it on skids covered up outside. Now I can start buying new metal patch panels and sections to start my restoration.

I've got at least a year or year and a half of just metal work to do -- cutting out old, fitting and welding in new.

My Wife and I got the news also last week that she has breast cancer so we both are going to fight that battle first and whatever it takes to make her hopefully "Cancer Free" by this time next year Lord willing.

So I do what I can on the truck here and there but Family always comes first !!!!

Just an update, September 09,2023 marked one year since my Wife and I rescued a old 1953 Chevrolet 3100 Panel Truck. I havent done anything on the Panel truck since may of this year when I pulled the 216 engine and transmission and covered them up outside on skids for a later date. I did purchase a firewall panel,left and right kick panels, rear (rolled bead) lip that goes around the rear fenders, and a metal panel that goes above the windshield inside the truck ,( where you bolt the visors too) . Alot more metal panels needed for this truck. My Wife gets her second chemo treatmeant this coming friday ,one of many . so we both have been at several doctors appointment for her. Also have been getting jobs done around our house this summer. Had a chance to buy back an 85 Chevrolet El Camino that I had sold my buddy about 4 yrs. ago at a very good price. It needs a couple patch panels welded on it and a few other things but my intentions are to fix it up and sell it and put the money towards the Panel truck. Thanks Peggy M for your concern and what you told me to look up. I appreciate it . Have a great weekend everyone and enjoy this nice weather.

Hello everyone, its been awhile since ive posted. Alot going on here at home,with the Wife going to Dr. appointments and trying to get caught up doing everthing we wanted to get done ouside this summer and fall. So, today (nov. 11, 2023 Sat.) Myself,my buddy and his son ,we all moved my old 216 chevy engine that was in my 53 chevy panel truck that we had pulled out of the truck in May of this year and put it on skids and covered it up with tarps to get it out of the truck and out of the way so I could have access to that area. Havent got much done on the truck as Ive mentined. So today we got it uncovered and put in my garage and sat it on a engine dolly out of the weather and I am able to move it around in my garage easily. Thanks so much to another Bolter here that took the time to make and document with very clear pics. material list and pdf files on how he made this engine dolly. Its listed in the tech tips section and let me tell you it is and works AWESOME !!! I bought the material and built it in a couple of hours friday. Im really happy and impressed with the design. I had bought a 1985 Chevrolet EL Camino off of my buddy that I had sold him 5 yrs. ago this past June and reason why is, I got it pretty cheap and my plan is to fix it up and get the body in primer and flip it and put the money from the sale over to my Panel Truck. So, thats about all going on right now. You all have a wonderful blessed weekend .

Plan is to do the body work ,(replace a couple partial repair panels on the right side rear quarter panel of the Elky ,replace a few fuel lines and exhaust system and get it into primer and then flip it sometime next summer and put the money in my Panel Truck.

I hope God blesses your wife and you, thanks.

Just got back in here this evening. Its been way too long since I got on this AWESOME Site !!! Just saw what you posted Toms49Panel and Thank You and GOD BLESS YOU and YOUR FAMILY also. She had all of her Part A chemo that they call the red devil, so shes on Part B chemo now .she had just had her 7th treatment this past friday. only 5 more treatments to go (one every friday for 12 weeks). Then she goes every day (mon-fri) after a couple weeks break from the chemo,for one month of radiation then shes done . Then sometime in april or may of this year she has to have one of her kidneys removed because it has cancer in it. But after its removed that should be it , She doesnt need any more chemo or radiation ,I hope and pray that returns her back to good health. Now about the Panel truck, I had purchased a few replacement panels for my truck. I got a complete firewall panel with partial toeboards, left and right side inner kick panels,the valance panel at the top of the windshield inside the truck, I got the replacement panels for the rolled edge on both sides of the rear fenders, and I need alot more replacement panels for this truck. I probably have at least a year and a half of welding new panels in. Im getting very very yancy to get to work on this truck , but Im forced to wait till this summer (maybe spring) so I can make some money to get more replacement panels and some primers and supplies so I can finally get busy working on My Dream Truck and enjoying what I love doing !!! GOD WILLING. This Awesome Site and the great info. and people on this site are a BLESSING to ME. GOD BLESS EVERYONE !!! Mark.

You too, brother. God's speed!