The Stovebolt Site Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre First post!

I have been reading and learning now for about 3 months, and finally I'm ready to meet y'all and ask questions!

My project is going to be either a '53 or a '49 3100 1/2 ton (I have 2 different cabs with 2 VIN #'s) and the '53 is a complete (but ROUGH) truck with a high-pressure 235 that I have just BARELY been able to crank, I think because of fuel pump problems. It's definitely a process to get one of these going!

Anyway, my first question would be regarding the ID for the vehicle as I restore it... the '53 VIN seems to have originated in Florida, while the '49 cab (5-window) apparently was in Tennessee in its earlier productive life. I have no title on either. Which of the 2 VINS do you suggest would be easier to track down for a possible title? The 5-window cab is going to be the keeper regardless, it does have the side cowl vent. Doors, I have both types and can go either way with solid windows (the set in better condition) or with vents. If I stick with the parts that are in the best shape, the '49 would seem to be the more accurate model to follow. What do you suggest?

I am SO looking forward to getting your ideas from now on...

Hi stoveboltgator. Welcome to the forum.
I'm not sure about the intricacies of registering your 'bolt in the USA.
Hang in there,someone will chime in soon!
The Stovebolt Page is THE best source for info,and pop into the Greasy Spoon for some off topic conversation.
Jock

Yes, Welcome and please go to the Greasy Spoon too. You will get lots of opinions and meet lots of fun people that will help you figure out your dilemma. I'm sure they will tell you to try to get both titles. Have fun and glad you came to Stovebolt to get help. ;-) Joy

Welcome stoveboltgator!

Gator,
as long as you have a BILL OF SALE from the person or persons you purchased from and the #'s off the vehicle you should not have a problem getting a title, well that is how works in PA anyway.GOOD LUCK an hope it is painless....just a word of advise get the title in hand before you sink any of your own $ into your project!...heard of folks that get half way done and find the vehicle either has a lean or worst case was stolen !!!
had a brother buy a F#rd mustang convertible he sunk a bunch a $ in then found out it was stolen ...he lost everything he invested..when the Coppers got done with him.
Tim

According to the Alabama DMV, vehicles older than '75 don't require titles -- so you're set! They'll also do a VIN check for you to see if the vehicle is stolen, has a lien (which is doubtful) or whatever.

And if you ever move to a state that DOES title older vehicles, just about all of them (Maryland does, anyway) recognize that some states don't title older vehicles and they'll just have you do a paperwork drill to get a title.

So, lucky for you that you live in the Great State of Alabamy where titles are for the little people! Actually, Peggy will be glad another Alabamian has come to the site (She claims Warrior/Gardindale as home)

As to which truck ... Are you street rodding, staying original or something inbetween? I guess it only really matters if you are going to restore the truck to stay original. The 5-window cabs seem to be the popular ones and my personal preference is for the '49 ( see my signature line ...) So I'd go with the more complete one that will have better resale value down the road. If you're going to customize/streetrod or otherwise modify the truck, than it doesn't really matter and you can use the pieces you like best.

Hope this helps -- and Welcome to the 'Bolt -- we hope you like it here!

Regards,
John

Gator, watch out for the game wardens around here...called moderators

Welcome to the Bolt. You have made a wise choice as this is the best darn truck site on the entire World Wide Web!! In order to obtain all the free information, though not necessarily correct, you have to post some pictures. Just like the cookie monster likes cookies we love to see pics

Alvin

Thanks for the welcome everyone...

I know that the bill of sale is all that is required in AL, but I would kind of like to go the extra mile and get full title if possible. I like the idea of letting them do a VIN check just to see what the past history was in case there is a way I could get clear title from the previous owners' states.

I MAY actually do this as 2 separate vehicles, a keeper and a seller (the 5-window will be mine, period, for all time LOL).

I want this truck to be as original as possible (I may fudge a little and do power brakes and put AC in it but otherwise I want it to be a "period" vehicle). I do want to use my own paint color scheme in it, I am going with a shades of grey and black interior and a white cab top with a blue-green body (a little darker than the old Chevy turquoise) for kind of a "'57 Bel Air" tip-of-the-hat effect. Not real fond of the solid forest green or black look that was the standard.

I'll go ahead and give fair warning- I can't stand to see great old vehicles like this sacrificed to become rat rods, unless they are just junkyard thrown together specials or so far gone that they aren't really restorable. I know there's going to be some that won't agree with that, I just think these older vehicles ought to be treated better than that, and preserved. If you just want a rat rod, I feel like an old body and some cobbled together junkyard parts can do that, but if there's any shot at all of making one look really good, I think a complete vehicle ought to be done that way.

I am not NOWHERE ready for pics yet, one cab is still sitting in the bed of the other truck LOL! When I get it all better laid-out I might post something. There's a lot of rust on the '53 body, it doesn't look like much yet.

Looking forward to this! Thanks for the replies!