Labor Day Putting down your wrenches or time for
MORE wrenching? 
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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
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| | | | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 698 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 698 | ALMOST DRIVING IT! Went down to the DMV today to get a plate for my ’53. Felt a little embarrassed that I titled the truck in 3/94 and am now just getting it on the road. But the girl was nice and a few minutes later I walked out with a new plate. I hopefully will have the first test drive by the weekend. http://s783.photobucket.com/albums/.../?action=view¤t=body11711A.jpg
My Fleet: 19411953195919651966 1953 Willy's Pickup John Vegetarian- old Indian word for bad hunter
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 2,201 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 2,201 |  You got me beat, or do I got you beat? I got mine in 94 too and got it registered in Dec. 2009. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 59 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 59 | Those are some good looking trucks! What did you use as the floor in your 53?
Daniel
1953 Chevrolet 3800 Stepside
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 698 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 698 | I got a sheet of 0.050 sheet metal from the local roofing supply company, made a pattern of the floor, cut it and brazed it in. Battery is now behind the seat.
My Fleet: 19411953195919651966 1953 Willy's Pickup John Vegetarian- old Indian word for bad hunter
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 4,095 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 4,095 | Looks like worth the wait.
Ron, The Computer Greek I love therefore I am.1954 3100 Chevy truckIn the Gallery 2017 Buick Encore See more pix1960 MGA Roadster Sold 7/18/2017
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 4,215 Moderator | | Moderator Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 4,215 | Beautiful truck John, one question, if you got the plate on Tuesday, how come you aren't driving it til Saturday?
Leo | | | | | Joined: Oct 2011 Posts: 78 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Oct 2011 Posts: 78 | John,
Oh am I jealous! Very happy for you and I can, at the stage I am at, only imagine the pride you must feel knowing you did that quality of work. Congratulations!
Be safe, LevisPop
Milk the cows you have
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 698 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 698 | Beautiful truck John, one question, if you got the plate on Tuesday, how come you aren't driving it til Saturday?
Leo I have a laundry list of things yet to be done. Last night I had to replace all the spark plug wires. After sitting for 10+ years the rubber has broken down and they were sparking all over the place. Tonight it's adjust the timing and topping off the trans fluid and hopefully that long awaited ride; then more work.......
My Fleet: 19411953195919651966 1953 Willy's Pickup John Vegetarian- old Indian word for bad hunter
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,986 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,986 | That looks really nice!! Congratulations! | | | | | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 698 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 698 | I DROVE THE ’53 FOR THE FIRST TIME! Can you tell I’m excited? I have a problem with the timing on the engine but it ran pretty good, so after topping off the tranny fluid I set the ebrake, put chocks in front of and behind the wheels and dropped it in gear. A big cloud of smoke came out from under it, but I couldn’t tell where from. I released the ebrake and it rolled a few inches back. I then dropped it into drive and it rolled a few inches forward. I checked it over for leaks and then moved the chocks away. Ever so slowly I drove it out of the garage and down the driveway. Then backed up the driveway and then down the drive way. Then down the street about ½ block and turned around and came back. My heart was pounding. I looked it over and no leaks anywhere. I then took it for a couple block ride and actually got some speed up. Pulled back into the driveway and it died and wouldn’t start. Fiddled with it a little and it started. Then we took it for an even longer drive around the neighborhood (lots of attention from the neighbors). Came home and parked it in the garage. Enough adrenaline rush for one night!
My Fleet: 19411953195919651966 1953 Willy's Pickup John Vegetarian- old Indian word for bad hunter
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,750 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,750 | That's great news John, the smoke was probably just the truck clearing it's throat!
I assume it did clear?
You just can't beat the feeling of a first drive,i'm not sure about you,but it took me about 2 days to stop smiling.
Well done!
Last edited by jockbolter50; 11/11/2011 1:28 AM.
1950 Chevy Advance Design 3100 in ScotlandIn the Stovebolt GalleryMore pix on Flickr. I've definately got this truck thing in my blood ... my DNA sequence has torque settings"Of all the small nations of this earth,perhaps only the ancient Greeks surpass the Scots in their contribution to mankind" Winston Churchill.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 4,215 Moderator | | Moderator Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 4,215 | Sounds like an exciting ride. I remember my first time too, all that work is worth it.
Leo | | | | | Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 66 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 66 | Be very glad you did not try this in California. You would have been levied about $600.00 worth of fees and given a laundry list to complete. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 426 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 426 | | | |
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