The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk what would you buy

if given the choice what year and model of stovebolt would you buy .. and why?
(upto about a 1ton size )

I had a choice and likely most of us here had a choice. I bought a 1953 half ton panel. Why? Because in my opinion, they look cool and are functional.

I had a choice, and what I bought was a 1951 Suburban (in 1973). I would buy a 1953 1/2 ton pickup if I was looking for another, because this is what my dad and I were talking about buying in 1975 shortly before he died.

Personal choice is the rule, I think.

Kurt

i realise its a personal choice but in the uk choice is a little limited also the cost of good stovebolts is fairly high
and very few originals about
allthough i,m not too worried about being 100% original i dont want a ,bodged, up dog.
i realy fancied a first series advanced design 3/4 or 1 ton but now have chance of a 1955 sreies 2 but havnt seen it in the flesh yet
i dont think the series 2 have the classic line,s of the earlier trucks
but availability and cost meens it maybe the way to go.

thoughts and comments please

mike.

My dream was 1950 Chevy 5 window as this is what I grew up with. This is what I just bought and very happy. Not sure if 49 or 50 but leaning towards 1949.

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hpho...874_1165971352_33060925_1090686239_n.jpg

Learned to drive in a 46 1/2 ton of my grandpa's. Then the first truck I actually owned was a 50 1/2 ton. I'm not as young as I use do be so I stay with the older stuff

Owned a 51 3100 in my twenty's but bought a 3600 because of the lack of much rust. My next project will be a 55 2nd through 59. I like the design of these trucks plus because they came with a V8 I can more easily put one in it.

I would restore a 55.2 Chevy stepside and add NAPCO running gear...oh, wait, I already did!

I would have gone for a 54 but the Coleman 4x4 system would have been hard to find and I don't think NAPCO was offering systems for that year (could be wrong though).

tri-fives

If you're not intending to to keep the truck absolutely stock, it would be better to go for one of the 1/2 ton models, these have the best range of "bolt on" disc brake, power steering conversions etc. available from suppliers like CPP and Chevy Duty, not so much in the way of upgrade parts available for the bigger trucks "off the shelf".

One other thing, have you thought of buying in the USA instead of the UK? IMO, you'd have a much wider choice, and would almost certainly pay less money for your ride if you take a trip over, buy yourself a truck and ship it home -even after you've paid for the shipping and UK customs duty. I imported my 1950 truck from the US in 1995, my brother has imported another three trucks since then -also every one has come over loaded with spare parts.

Best of luck whatever you decide on, Stuart.

Any half ton, panel or suburban from 1951 on. Before that they had Huck brakes and lever shocks and they are hard to find parts (drums) for.

Move it up up one year to 52 to get the push-button door handles.

58 or 59 Apache, just because I love that dual headlight look

looked at another one today (see other post please)

now i,m getting more confused ,lol,

That's always an interesting question. On the stovebolt we reside from all over the world, particularly from the USA, but we have lot's of folks from Canada and elsewhere too. Primarily we choose 1/2 ton pickup trucks, mostly for light hauling. Some of us choose Suburbans or panels for light hauling and the ability to haul extra people or family. Some use their vehicles for weekend pleasure and some a little bit more. The year of the vehicles varies by choice, by chance or because it evokes memories.

I chose the 1947-1955 Suburban. I like the GMC version because it is a little different than the Chevrolets. I like a vehicle that is more stock than modified, something that has been upgraded for safety and comfort. But that isn't to say that I don't like the other models or styles either. I do like the suburbans from 1936 - 1959 and I am beginning to like the 1960 - 1966 Suburbans too.

Earlier than 1947 is a little too small for me, but they are good looking trucks. The 1947-1955 had a little more room and the parts availability is phenomenal, you can buy complete cabs. These trucks are easy to work on and easy to modify too. The Task Force years are bigger yet and offer a more modern look, they were also available with V-8'S They are my next choice of trucks, although I would probably go with a suburban again. Parts are easily available for these trucks and they are easy to work on too.

If you are looking for ideas on what to purchase, I advise you to look at the gallery and see the many styles and choices of others. Some have great stories on why they have what they have and what it took to get it to where it is today. Many of these guys did not have a truck before, but now associate themselves as truck enthusiasts. If this is going to be your first American truck, I recommend that you stay with a 1/2 ton version because the availability of parts are greater than those for 3/4 ton and larger. You will also find more information on building the 1/2 ton too. That's not to say that the 3/4 ton and larger are not desirable and really difficult to work on, it's just that in England they would add to your difficulties in finding parts and information.

i have had american trucks before the last was a 1988 ferd f350 which even being a ferd i should never have sold it only went (in a hurry)because of a ,family, crisis last march

i had a chevy c20 before that and it was an absolute ,dog, i ended up selling it for breaking (parting out)
now due to other family crisis problems propety (house and land)is being sold and i,ll have some more spare cash so i,m jumping in with both feet and giving up some of my vintage tractor and engine collectables(losing the storage on the land) and going back into trucks allthough smaller than i used to work with
due to my health .

I think you have a good handle on this hobby. Welcome to the Bolt and good luck with your build.

thanks jim i,m learning a little even at my age ,lol,

If I was to add to my trucks,I would try to find a 1955 or 1956 Chevrolet 1/2 ton.
Maybe a AD COE and cut the frame down and install a one ton bed.

Tim

Love the color on the PU, bowtietim.

Hi Mike, I see you're from this side of the pond.

For availability of obtaining parts etc,most of the vendors/dealer here tend to lean towards the smaller trucks. i.e. 1/2 ton.
There are quite a few AD and TF trucks over here now both in stock and custom form,so obtaining one should be relatively easy.
Good luck with your search.

hi, jockbolter

i looked at another a 2nd series over in cheshire yesterday its a bit of a bitsa,, with a 347 gmc/pontiac v8 and a hydra-matic 4speed but shows a lot of promise
hoping it,ll come at around 4k its had a lot of cash spent on chassis,engine, brake,s etc so i think the value is there,

The truck I have now... but mostly original and green.

-W

thanks woogeroo

what are the bad points to look out for

is there anything thats extra good to have in regard to options etc,,

I'd buy an Art Deco truck. Why? ... Because already I have my 51 five window and its not going anywhere without me at the wheel.

Ever one im Allen all years of chevy and gmc are great to see and looking at. Hear about my dream truck 1967 chevy truck one ton truck outside color and inside color MED blue the engine would have to be a 292 inline six engine thats a all truck engine the transmission have to be a 4-speed with Reverse on the left side of the transmission rearend a Eaton the truck has custom sport truck have the bucket seats chrome on the truck and inside the truck and on the truck will be custom camper the truck also have air conditioning prower steering prower brakes four core radiator auxiliary battery auxiliary rear leaf springs auxiliary gas tank and the truck will also have speed warning indicator and tachometer. This is how come i really like the 1967 chevy truck the last year of the small rear window in the back of the trucks cab there no lights on the side of the front fenders or the side of the trucks bed the truck has a neat look grille on the front of the truck with the red chevy bowtie on it also the steering wheel is 3-spoke with a round horn button the 1967 chevy c/10-c/30 engines were 250,292 inline six and 283,327 v8 transmissions were prowerglide,trurbo hydra-matic 3-speed and 4-speed manual the rear axles was Eaton or Dana and the 1967 chevy truck had four diffent wheel bases the short wheel base 115" long wheel base 127" the next long wheel base 133" and than the very long wheel base 157" some of 1967 chevy trucks that had the 157" wheel base had ten lug wheels and the rear grearing was 6:17 the 4:57 was optional rear grear of the 157" wheel base and the 1967 chevy trucks only had 4 colors inside the trucks blue , green , red , tan/brown . im trying to make my dream truck come true i did find online a 1967 chevy one ton truck with flatbed that dumps engine in the truck most likey a 350 v8 the transmission a 4 speed the rear axle in the truck is a Eaton 5:14 grearing im guesting i put in 4:57 or 4:11 the truck blue inside and outside but the ouside paint fade also on top of the trucks cabs roof has the five tear drop lights i have the parts to make that truck CST and custom camper the only thing truck will not have the campers body on the trucks frame i know were a good 292 engine is forsale i have the blue 1967 chevy truck arm rest and blue 1967 chevy truck seatbelts i know a guy that has bucket seat set up forsale and he also has forsale 1967 chevy truck speed warning indicator did find a diffent guy that has forsale the auxiliary rear leaf springs i will have to add air conditioning prower steering prower brakes to the truck i think that 292 engine has air conditioning on the engine and i still have to find the front stabilizer bar for the 1967 chevy truck and the inside door panels and tachometer this all i can think of at this time

Spanners, 4k sounds pretty good, just watch around the cab corners/steps for rust.
Here's what just over 4k got me about 6 1/2 years ago.

A pretty solid,relatively complete '50 A.D.
The original stovebolt six had 'thrown a leg out the bed' though.....
The block,crank and rods were kaput!
Mind you since then I've sunk another few bob into it!

I got mine from a guy in Essex who imports them.
Send me a PM if you want some contact info.

John(Jock)

some very nice work there john

quick,, update,,

well i went out and did the ,deal, over the weekend for the 55 2nd series with 347 v8 and 4 speed strato-flight trans.

so now i,v got to do some garage modifications then she can come home,,

When I bought my truck I really had to compromise between what I wanted and what I needed. I wanted a '53 Chevy 3100 but I am an avid gardener and needed more hauling ability. I ended up finding a '53 Chevy 6400 that bridged the gap between looks and utility.

An AD COE is next on my radar.

the stovebolt bug has really bitten me i,m on the lookout all the time now
allthough there,s not a great lot of them in the uk..

Don't forget your camara...

allready got some photo,s but i,m not good at puttin them on site

(i,m no confuser ,boffin)but give me a spanner and i,ll fix ya truck,,

my nephew has posted some on MANKY MONKEY MOTORS in the forum but i dont know how he did it

here should be a photo of her
picture


hope it worked

Dang... now that is going to make a beautiful truck.

*

Hi, I am in Liverpool and have nearly finished my resto hop up of my 57 3100.I bought it to drive as it was and two and a half years later its nearly done my 57 3100 Its been a long job but going to be driving soon.Welcome aboard.

Excellent work Mark.