The Stovebolt Site Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre Do It Yourself (DITY) Gallery 1951 Chevrolet 3100

Me: Eric Di Fate

Location: St. Louis, MO

My story: As a high school kid I'd always thought trucks from the late 40's to mid 50's were just plain cool. Ford, Dodge, Chev, GMC, etc ... loved em all, tho I was particularly drawn to the looks of the Advanced Design trucks.

Fast forward 25 or so years, I've owned more than a handful of vintage cars and motorcycles, and about 20 or more vintage and antique bicycles ... but never a truck. My wife would tell me I still get giddy like a kid every time I see one on the road or in a lot. "Catch up!" or "Pull over!" I'd always say.

Then one recent Friday evening, out of the blue, she tells me she found a truck on craigslist, emailed the owner and that I needed to follow up. I was blown away! ...she never much cared for the Stingray I drove when we first met or the '48 Schwinn I restored for her when we wanted to go for a bicycle ride back when we were dating. Long story short, by that Saturday we had plans to see it and by Sunday morning we had our new 1951 Chevy 3100 at home in the garage.

My truck: Mostly, if not all, original and runs great but needs a new clutch bad. Gonna be doing 99% of the work myself including the body. ...I'm a wrencher, not a body guy ... fingers crossed that my welding turns out decent.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5051/5503942575_fa6eea25aa_b.jpg

More pics in my flickr account.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ericdifate/sets/72157626211938122/

....you can do it! Go for it.

Wooo!! Thanks for the encouragement!
I'm actually really excited to do the cab corners (even tho welding near that big honkin' gas tank has me mildly concerned) but the inner cowls and right front floor look like they might be tough to get to given my facilities. ...the truck only clears my garage ceiling by less than three inches and the front door by only a couple feet.

New clutch is in and the cutting begins this week! Fingers crossed.

Great project you have there BLUEMEANIE. I'm gonna suggest you remove the gas tank before you start cutting and welding. Often the lines and hoses on these old are hard and crusty. Since often times the tank will be R&Red along the way, to be safe make that the next project then your worries (and real hazards) will be reduced.

Thanks! Your panel truck is great! Were you able to clean the paint up at all?

I'm without a doubt pulling the tank when I get to that point. Its so easy to do so, I'd be dumb not to.

Good luck on your new 'adventure' Eric!

The guys here will help you keep things on track,and you know advice is available here 24/7.
Now go and get those cab corners done!
Just remember to skip around...(with the welds that is) not around the workshop!

Nice pics of the truck. Just remember not to get in a hurry & over whelmed. Thats sometimes my biggest problem with my project. I sometimes have to stop for an hour or even a day & think. Funny how things click a little better when this happens. Anyway I'll keep an eye on your project, you'll have blast!!! Later Rick

Thanks guys!

Ha!


This is the biggest project I've taken on body-wise. Tho the more time I spend with it the easier it seems.
...even tho every time I poke around I find a new issue or potential problem to deal with.
Its all part of the hobby.

Picked up an older Linoln Electric WP HD arc welder today ... now I just have to wait til the rain and tornadoes pass.

Update: Added some pics to my filckr set (see signature link).

The body wori is on hold as the motor is half pulled apart ... she didn't quit running but the smoke got bad. Pulled some bent rods out and freed up some of the valves. Hope to get it running this weekend or next.

How is the truck coming? Thought I'd check in on your progress. Mine is starting to pick back up. I also acquired another 1948 1-ton but it doesn't need much. Later Rick