BUSY BOLTERS Are you one?  The Shop Area
continues to pull in the most views on the Stovebolt. In August alone there were over 22,000 views in those 13 forums.
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7 members (Fifty-Five First, Peggy M, Bill Hanlon, Guitplayer, cspecken, Lightholder's Dad, JW51),
549
guests, and
1
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Global Mod,
Mod | | | Forums66 Topics126,781 Posts1,039,301 Members48,100 | | Most Online2,175
Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 22 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 22 | | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 2,877 Socket Breaker | | Socket Breaker Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 2,877 | Veeerrryyy nice.
It's so pretty and shiny...
-W | | | | | | Anonymous Unregistered | | Anonymous Unregistered | Nice job. You can take a lot of satisfaction in the results of your time and efforts. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,781 Master Gabster | | Master Gabster Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,781 | Nice truck! Are you going to add a display in the rear or show it as it is?  ..........g | | | | | Joined: Aug 2000 Posts: 800 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2000 Posts: 800 | Nice photography. And that truck looks............Factory! Excellent. That tailgate and bed is impressive-so straight. Maybe some vintage black and white (sepia) pix are in order. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 355 Member | | Member Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 355 | Beautiful truck! Thanks for sharing the pics. | | | | | Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 321 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 321 | wow! really impressive job. hopfully i will live long enough to see my truck look as good as that. | | | | | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 78 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 78 | Great job, very nice.
Thanks for the pictures.
Steve | | | | | Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 2,538 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 2,538 | | | | | | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 158 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 158 | Wow, that really is EXTREMELY nice!
Brian | | | | | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 22 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 22 | Thanks for all the kind remarks on the old CE...I guess these trucks are all about bringing pleasure to ourselves and others... the smell and feel of driving one, or just the satisfaction of a "snapshot" of days gone by, truly, "The Good Old Days"....
Capn' Mark | | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 60 Member | | Member Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 60 | Wow looks awesome, the bed is spectacular! | | | | | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 703 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 703 | EGypsy, Fantasitc Job, Congratulations...
I've always dreamed of a CE. Don't think there can be too many out there as nice as this one. | | | | | Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 27 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 27 | It looks exceptional.
Excuse my ignorance, what were the CE's orginal purpose? | | | | | Joined: Jun 2000 Posts: 2,773 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2000 Posts: 2,773 | Koolamundo. 
Fred
52 3600
69 C-10
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 267 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 267 | was gonna say great job earlier but ihad to go work on mine to get over the fit of jealousy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! that is a sweet ride I GOTTA GO BACK TO THE GARAGE NOW; JUST DANG
I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it!
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2000 Posts: 454 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2000 Posts: 454 | Thanks for sharing. Great truck, great pics. I have always loved the look of the CE. I still kick myself for not buying one for $1100 about 6 or 7 years ago. Now, think about a vision I have always had for a CE. Picture mosquito net attached on the inside (small snaps or velcro), the canvas sides held out with poles, and a bed in the bed: RETRO RV 
Jeff Nelson
"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." - Benjamin Franklin
"Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest." - Mark Twain
| | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,440 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,440 | Beautiful truck and great pictures! It looks like brand new. You got it done just in time to load it up with pumpkins. | | | | | Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 321 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 321 | i've been back to this thread about a dozen times or so today. still can't get over the feeling of awe, envy and depression.
i use my truck way too much to have it in this kind of pristine condition, but it doesn't help me get past the fact that this is an amazing example that some day i hope to see for my truck.
you should be extremely proud to have such a fine restored vehicle in your posession. | | | | | Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,158 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,158 | Oooooh...
Pretty...
[wishes Number Seven was that pretty] | | | | | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 22 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 22 | To answer a few questions that I'm sure others know more about than me. The canopy express was used as a "vendor truck", i.e. fruit, vegetables, newspapers and magazines, grocery delivery, etc. There is a great write-up about them on this web site under tech (?) articles or somewhere thereabouts. Think "horse and buggy wagon" with a top on it of the 1800's going through a mechanical evolution until the last one made by Chevy and GM in 1955. These were made in the hundreds each year compared to the tens of thousands of pickups. Very few seemed to have survived for some reason, maybe because of hard use on the farm or elsewhere. Maybe they were looked at as odd as so many other rigs that are way cool to us now, and were first ones to the local crusher. Thanks again for all the great comments, now I know I'm not the only eccentric out there that likes weird stuff!!! I like Jeff's idea of the screened camper- be the first one on your CONTINENT to have one!
Best Regards,
Cap'n Mark | | | | | Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 29 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 29 | Very nice
Jim 1940 Chev pickup Retro Rod 1957 Buick Century 1968 Mustang (Golden nugget) 2004 Trailblazer Pix on Cardomain | | | | | Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 36 Member | | Member Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 36 | | | | | | Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 1,571 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 1,571 | Very nice! The 1/2-ton CEs are as rare as hen's teeth - the 1-ton models are just this side of nonexistant. I know GMC offered a 1-ton in '54 - I'd love to find one of those. I only know of one GMC from that year, and it's a 1/2-ton.
The factory rear turn signal lights are a nice touch. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 89 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 89 | Nice...
That made my day!
I hope to see her in person someday. | | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 23 Member | | Member Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 23 | WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JJ
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 197 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 197 | Egypsy - Thanks for those awesome pictures! As others have said, your truck is stunning! And the pics give me a feeling that I used to get when I was in college. During my senior year I would look over at the place on campus where they held commencement and I'd tell myself, "Just keep going, don't give up, you'll get there sometime soon." I'm sure the road to getting your truck looking like that wasn't always easy, but you did it and you've inspired alot of us. Thanks.
Neil
1940 GMC 1/2 Ton
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 22 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 22 | A quick update on the CE- ever since I bought the truck I was searching for the original owner but to no avail. After posting some pictures for the gallery on this site(thanks Peg!) , low and behold the son of the original owner that purchased it brand new in 1949 saw the gallery addition and contacted me! Don has a bunch of old photos and stories that he's been emailing me the last week and man, what a treat! I am collecting general info about CE's and also this specific info for inclusion in a scrapbook I'm making to go with the truck. It was purchased from a Chevy dealer in Yakima, WA, and Don's dad intended it as a side business selling fruit and vegetables. The man he hired took off with all the money but left the truck. Don's large family used it as a full time vehicle when their '41 Desoto broke down, even after the dealer installed GASOLINE optional heater was installed quit working. They used it from 1950 to 1957 and had plywood sides put on with plexi windows. The divider was moved back to allow for a bigger cab size. Will try to include some of the pics Don sent me. One of them shows spray after a DDT spray rig went by. One is the last photo of DOn's dad with the CE in the '80s. [img] http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a105/emeraldgypsy49/NewImage3.jpg[/img] [img] http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a105/emeraldgypsy49/NewImage2.jpg[/img] [img] http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a105/emeraldgypsy49/NewImage.jpg[/img] [img] http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a105/emeraldgypsy49/5.jpg[/img] [img] http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a105/emeraldgypsy49/4.jpg[/img] Cap'n Mark of the Emerald Gypsy | | | | | Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,781 Master Gabster | | Master Gabster Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,781 | Now you know where the dents in the tailgate came from! Nice collection of pictures. ...g | | | | | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 22 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 22 | g- yes, that picture just grinds my teeth!
Mark | | | | | Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 476 Moderator | | Moderator Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 476 | Words fail me, but your truck is definitely an inspiration to us all to keep going. Some time I'd like to have a closer look at how that cab divider was done. I've never seen a CE in the flesh.
Don't lose your head to save a minute,
You need your head, your brains are in it.
Burma-Shave (1947)
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 476 Moderator | | Moderator Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 476 | Wow, the last few pictures just loaded. That would be a dream come true to find real history on my actual truck. You are a blessed man!
Don't lose your head to save a minute,
You need your head, your brains are in it.
Burma-Shave (1947)
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 703 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 703 | As if it wasn't incredible enough seeing the pictures of your restoration... It's absolutely incredible that you could track the truck back and get that kind of history and pictures to boot.
As the mastercard ad goes: 1949 Canopy Express = $Thousands
Pictorial history = Priceless.
Growing up as a kid, (1960's) my grandmother's neighbor had a 1937 1/2 ton CE. I used to dream about that truck!
When I bought my first house, early 1980's, in a different part of town, it turned out he'd gotten a divorce, and now lived across the street from me. He was still using my dream truck as his daily driver.
About 6-7 years ago, he got drunk one night, rolled and totaled it out. I've never been the same since...
In my relatively short life, I've only seen 3 CE's. His 37 Chevy, a 31 Chevy, and an early 30's Dodge.
Believe it or not, the Dodge was being used as a restaraunt salad bar. Very rare birds.
Congratulations on your good fortune. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 2,877 Socket Breaker | | Socket Breaker Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 2,877 | It is cool that ya got those pics from the original family. Neat.
Now, the truck... the cab... is it a regualr ad cab, and then they attached the top piece to it?
The bed, parts of the bedsides look like a AD truck bedside...
Anyway, still a beautiful job.
-W | | | | | Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 2,031 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 2,031 | MMMMMMMM, MMMMMMMM, GOOD
Love the old shots too
it just goes to show you, take lots of pictures of people and their everyday life's work.
Jim & Caroline
The highway is for gamblers, better use your good sense."
Gooday-that's my 1¢ answer due to the lousy economy ~ cause I ain't got - no . mo . doe
Every Shaver | Now Can Snore | Six More Minutes | Than Before ... | Half A Pound for Half a Dollar | Spread On Thin | Above the Collar || BURMA-SHAVE
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