The Stovebolt Site Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre New old man from Greece

Hallo Everyone

Well I am actually a Greek living in The Netherlands.
I am following the Stovebolt forum for a few years with great pleasure and now I finally managed to register as well
My Stovebolt story so far:
In 94 back home (Crete Greece) I purchased a 48 Chevy Fleetmaster (car) that was converted to a pickup. After cutting some bushes and a tree that was growing through the bed, we managed to tow her home. It was reasonably complete but in need of a ground up restoration after standing there in the elements for 28 years.
In 96, I also purchased a 43 (?) Chevy C15 ( Canadian Coe) This truck is missing many parts so it should be a very slow restoration. One of the reasons I purchased the Coe truck was that my father drove an army surplus one for a few years just after ww2 and we were often talking about it.
In 97 we moved to the Netherlands this left the Fleetmaster in a friends garage with only little work done and the Coe with almost nothing done under a carob tree.
The last years I only go to Greece for a few weeks per year. My friends garage closed for business and the Fleetmaster was left unattended so it was cannibalized they removed the seat, transmission, glasses and many panels. Another garage agreed on doing the panel work and eventually painting her for me.
In Crete, there are no spares for old Chevrolets so I am now getting almost everything from the USA or Holland. The Coe is still under the carob tree I have to go to Athens in one of my next vacations and search for parts for it in the army surplus yards. The only thing I can do for now is search for information and wait.
I will be adding a link with some pictures as soon as I find out how it’s done.
I hope I qualify to be a Sovebolter

Hi Jianis.
Welcome to the 'bolt. It's always good to see another 'Eurobolter' signing up.
It certainly sounds like you're a Stovebolter to me!
Sorry your 48 was stripped,but I hope you manage to get it back together.
You obviously have similar problems trying to source parts etc as we in the UK have.

The 43 COE sounds very interesting. I look forward to seeing the pictures.
There are a few 'bolters here from the UK, Holland and nearby Germany,so hopefully between us we can help you out on your 'quest'.
Good Luck
Jock

Welcome Jianis, I read you story and know you must be frustrated at times but keep looking and I am sure something will come up that you will be able to buy right there in the Netherlands. We sold our 51 Chevy 1/2 ton to a man in Holland, Martin Das. He kept it for a while and sold it to someone else, but it is still in Holland. Cream color in good shape and running like a top. Keep you eyes open for it! lol Glad your joined!
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2160125130028817115CCnQPN?vhost=good-times

Thank you Jock
I have already most of the parts for the PU,the C15 will take a biger efort I guess.
Here is a link to two pictures I managed to upload so far: http://s875.photobucket.com/albums/ab317/Jianis/Stovebolt/
I will try to make an ablum of the PU soon

Welcome Jianis. This is a great site. I also learned something new today. I have never seen a COE like the picture of the one you posted. Sorry to hear that your parts will be hard to round up but this is a good place to start. Just be patient and things WILL work out. One of the best parts of this hobby is getting to make and meet new friends and that is usually through helping one another find parts and information. So, "this is the place" and as someone mentioned there are bolters around the world and in your area. SIt tight, I'm sure you all will find each other.
Keep us posted and good luck.

Thank you Joy
I can find almost everything in the USA I had already more as 200 parts shipped. What is frustrating is that shipping and import and value added taxes are sometimes 3 times on top of the actual price.
I will be looking for your truck but so far, I have never seen it .It looks great so it is hard to miss.

You got that right Jianis, You have my sympathy!