The Stovebolt Site Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre New guy from East Tennessee

Hello list!

My name is Joe and I live near Chattanooga TN. I was first introduced to old pickups by my father growing up in SW Michigan. My first love (truckwise) was a bone stock 54 five window deluxe cab I found in North Manchester Indiana (1987). The truck had original paint and was in remarkable unrestored condition. It even came with a NOS clock housing accessory still in the GM box. I only kept the truck for a few years and sold it to a guy in Hastings MI. It was the classic "One that I shouldn't have let go". Anyway fast forward twenty some years an four children, my wife mentions how much she loved that old truck too.

I had alway said that If i was going to find another old truck it would be a 54 and I would paint it Transport Blue, just like my old one. I also said that I would go out west and find one with really good sheet metal.

So for the past few months I have been scouring craigslists and found a 55 first series in Phoenix. It just so happened that I would be traveling through Phoenix on my way to LA because my son took his first job there and I wanted to make sure he got settled.

Well the truck checked out pretty good and I bought it. Its a five window, deluxe cab, and no rust. The downside is it has no paint, the wheels are aftermarket, and the box is a 47-53 (just sitting on top of the frame really). It also has a 1956 265 V8 in it that is REALLY tired and a four speed on the floor.

Well the truck is still in Phoenix parked at my sister's house (wow that came in handy :-)) and I am in the Planning What to do With it Phase

For sure I will have to find a set of original wheels, I will probably just buy an aftermarket box, and I am thinking about going back to the 235. Of course I will have to ask a lot of questions along the way because I have no feel for what fits what (what transmission do i need to look for? what year 235 will fit? etc.). Thank you all in advance and I promise my next posts will be shorter!

Joe

P.S I have saved that NOS accessory clock housing for the last 20 years so this truck is going to get a clock!

Welcome to the Bolt. You are at the best place for info and knowledge on these old Chevy trucks. Good luck - post some pics when you can. Good to have another hillbilly on here!!!!!!

Hi Joe, welcome! Sounds like everything is working out well sofar, even have the wife interested. You have lots of options, just make a plan and go for it. Be sure to visit here a lot and ask questions. Hope you can get your truck home soon.

Leo

Sounds like a plan and as Leo said, even the wifey is on board!
Good luck, we're here to help so get that truck home and lets get started!!

Welcome to the site. Sounds like you have some good plans in place. Good luck on your build!!

Hi everybody, newbie here, my name is Terry, I'm from Washington state. I have a '52 3600 that I've had about 25+ years. I finally started working on it late last summer. I've made pretty good progress on it,such as, acquiring most all parts, sourcing and rebuilding engine, tranny, clutch assy.& driveline. Also rebuilding front end to include brakes, kingpins, shackles, etc. I have posted a few times but I can't figure out how to post pictures. Can anyone help me with this?
Terry

It's been almost a year exactly but this past week I went back to Phoenix to get ready the 55 to come home.

In the past year I have purchased a set of 16" rims (they are in TN) and a really nice box (I bought in Quartzrite AZ and had my sister get it). Upon my arrival I had a set of pine bedwood boards (Jim Carter) and the mounting bolts waiting for me. The idea was to change the box and add the bed before shipping the truck back.


Well the box swap went well but the steel strips that came with the box were sorta tattered. Luckily Grumpy's was only about 3 miles from my sister's house so I bought some new strips and while I was at it purchased new bumpers and a front gravel pan.

Dan Solt (suggested by the this forum) picked up my truck on Tuesday and it should be here in a few weeks (great guy that Dan!).

As a side note that old 265 V8 fired right up and sounded great. I didn't have it running long enough to start to hear water boiling like I did when I bought the truck.

I will keep you posted but I leave for Germany in 6 weeks and I should be gone for a year (work stuff).

I will be ready to tear into that truck when I get back!

Joe

Auf wiedersehen!

Good luck, mendonjo, We'll be here AND you can talk to us from anywhere in the world so keep us posted.