Stovebolt.com Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre Do It Yourself Gallery The 1961 C20 story

Hi. Ever since I can remember, I have wanted an old truck to work on. In Junior High and High School, I spent hours scouring every issue of "Old Truck Trader" I could get my hands on. I envisioned the day when I was driving my very own "$800 o.b.o. truck".

I didn't go into a mechanical career, and I never learned what I would need to know to work on an old truck. But still, the fire burned. I guess it was fairly obvious to my husband that I would always get whiplash when driving by a junkyard full of classics, or when passing a farm and spotting a "gem" in the field.

Without my knowing, there was a guy in town, who had offered to sell my husband a 327 motor. He just had to wait until he got it pulled out of the junk truck it was in. The plan was to make a trailer out of the bed, and scrap the rest. This went on for several years. Finally, my husband said, "Maybe it would be easier if I just bought the whole truck." So, my husband went up to take a look at this junker. At first glimpse, he knew I would go ape over it.

So, the truck was delivered to our house while we were in town shopping. It's an hour to the next town, and half way home my husband says matter of factly, "I bought a truck." (Now my husband is NOT an impulse buyer. But he IS a fisherman, and the bait was swallowed.) "You WHAT?!?" I replied. "I bought a truck" was all I could get out of him for the next ten miles. Then he dropped another tidbit, "You might like it." Another ten miles of no new info. Just as we pulled into our little town, he said "If you like it, it's yours." My curiosity was about to give me a heart attack! Well, it was dark when we pulled into the driveway. When our headlights shone off the dual headlights and I caught a glimpse of the shape of the front end, my heart skipped a beat and I said, "I LOVE IT!!!"

Well, it's been road worthy and licensed a couple of different times, but not to the point of being what I want for a daily driver. That is my goal. I want to drive it to and from work.

I took off the roll bar, and sprayed some paint on several years back. The original paint was from the Forest Service. I hope to repaint this year after some body repairs. I've removed the bed wood and will be redoing it this year as well.

So, here I am. I'm the first to admit that I know nothing. But I'm a quick learner. So, I keep asking dumb questions. Keep getting great information from all my Stovebolt friends. And I'm learning more than I dreamed possible. Looking forward to learning more, and doing more on that truck. I am anxious to do whatever I can myself. Dirt, grime, grease ... bring it on. Rust, I'm learning a bit about it, too.

Thanks so much for being part of the realization of my childhood dream! Stovebolts forever!

When I get to driving her every day, then maybe I'll turn my attention to the '37 1-1/2 ton dually I rescued from a field. Here's a picture of both.

Thanks for considering my truck as a Gallery entry!

Carol Levanger
Utah

Nice looking truck.

Thanks!
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I think she's cute. But, my Mom called her an ugly clunker. LOL

Looks like you're making good progress. As for me, I love that '37 Big Bolt!

What a great story. Good to hear you have something to tinker on. Wild enthusiasm can pretty easily overcome lack of mechanical experience. And fortunately these old trucks don't have computers to worry about. Just try to keep your projects small in the beginning - things that can be accomplished over a weekend or so. And take lots of pictures, they will come in handy if you disassemble anything, and will be a great reminder when you look back on where it started.

Good luck with your project, look forward to updates as it progresses.

Thanks, guys!

Rich, I'll have to admit that the '37 is kind of my favorite - I just love the era. But, getting it on the road is definitely going to be a LOT harder! I'll have to post it's story here, too.

Markeb, I certainly wish I had heard your advice of starting with small projects three weeks ago! My goal was/is to "secure" the interior of the cab (fix the holes). I had thought of buying some spray foam, patches, JB Weld, etc... and going to it. BUT instead, my hubby says he'd love to get back into welding, and that he could do it. GREAT, we both thought, so we bought a little welder.

So far so good, the seat and gas tank came out. Tank & fuel sending unit need replacing - along with all the fuel lines just to be safe. Then we've decided the bed needs to come off to access the cab corners. And after poking around underneath, I'm not too sure that the whole cab shouldn't be pulled to access more of the floor! And, while we're at it what about the engine if the cab is actually pulled.?... yikes!!

Man, I should've bought the spray foam and gone after it. I mean, I know in the long run I'm better off doing all the little work, but I really wanted to just drive it this summer. Now I'll spend all summer fixing holes in the cab! LOL

By the way, I really like the idea of phot documenting everything. Another tidbit of great advice!

(I've already talked myself out of pulling the cab.)

Hi, Joy and Peggy,

I added the url links to pictures and my name. Thanks for considering the story for entry into the Gallery. :-)

Very Nice AND thanks for sharing with us!

Looks like we both have a truck like this and working on the restoration.....while yours is a 61 half ton, I am working on a 60 two ton. Currently have the seat, gas tank, etc. out and working on repainting the inside cab and also the exterior. Many mouse nests built "everywhere" in this truck. Will be sending more pics of the resto as I go. Your 61 is going to look great after all your TLC to it.

Great looking truck. Love the steppers w/the spare tire fenders