The Stovebolt Site Forums The Side Lot Old Dominion Stovebolt Society (MD, VA, West VA, DC, DE and PA) Assistance in writing a Gallery page

I donna what to do! We have a million (slight exageration) pictures of Hambone's Chevy and we need to get his truck's story in the Gallery. I actually started one on what little I could recall. And as you know me, recalling isn't what I'm good at.

So, I thought we could have a "group project" of writing Hambone's story. I'm sure you all have little tid bits and big tid bits to add. And at some point, Hambone himself will have to jump in here to defend ... I mean verify some of these tales of anguish and distress.

We can start it right chere. Just blurt out what you know. Even if it takes us a while, we should get a real epic tale from this. Shoot, I'll even ring up Mrs. Hambone and get the "spouse point of view" -- that's always a kick in the pants.

Okay ... don't let me down.

Much love and warm feelings to everyone but DH ( )

Peg

It all started one day when I saw an AD. Said no way, too old and soft. For me, something stronger, longer and pitched forward into the wind. 60-62, Wrapped windshield and a door pillar that leans forward, bucking the wind. With style decided it was off to ebay to find the truck. Date; spring 2007. Experience; none, tools; none, garage; none. Money; apparently not enough, but that did not stop me. When all said and done, I could spend as much in the bars, so as far as my wife was concerned, she breaks even - or so it seemed on paper. What she did not calculate was the extra time spent at HQ figuring out how to garage a truck I knew nothing about for 4 years in order to learn how to fix a vehicle of this age.

"It all started ..."

I love it already.

This is great! Working on some others already. Let's see if we can get this in February's, eh?



Boy, it even reads like an adventure movie. I'll have to work your avatar in there someplace, too. LOL

Peg

Looks like we are not getting much help Peggy. Maybe we should add the day when John looked at me and said, "you know you are 4 bolts away from doing the whole thing." I remember that day as if it was 2 years ago, scared and naive. Now as a seasoned restorator I can look back at that day and laugh. Not a funny laugh, but a Dr. Evil kind of laugh. One of those laughs that will remind a young future stovebolteer that the boogie man does in fact live under the bed and one should not look under there.

Well, I was kind of holding off on adding my comments because I really don't have too much to say. I have razed HB about his progress but in fact I am fairly impressed with what he has done. I really shouldn't give him too much of a hard time because my project began not too far after his and mine was half done when I got it and my cab still sits on the floor and parts are scattered all over the place.
I do remember one weekend long ago loading parts on a trailer, I think it was a bed and maybe a few other pieces, and driving off to a garage somewhere in Southern Maryland. Not sure whos garage it was or the fate of said parts. I also know there is an engine that actually runs and looks real purty. Then there has been some body work done but not all of it? some parts to be hung and then some more body work and paint planned. Not too sure about all the legistics of this but the boy has a plan. Above all he is learning along the way and taking the time to do it right. I feel confident that it wil be on the road before you know it. I'm quite sure the trucks landlord will be happy with my prognosis. And speaking about the time it is taking to restore his truck, I know for a fact that there are plenty of folks out there that have taken this long or a lot longer.
Keep up the good work Hambone, you are doing great!

Well, I remember the day we got the email from some guy in Hollywood (Maryland) who had just bought a '62 1/2-ton in Texas off ebay and was having it delivered. He had just found our web site and was chock full o questions. Peggy and I decided to drive over to his house, meet him and take a look at his truck (when it showed up). Well, that's what we did. We piled into the firetruck (to show solidarity with our new '60-'66 Brother) and found our way into the Heart of Darkness (the Mother of All Developments in So. Maryland ...) and to his house.

Meeting Doug for the first time ... Well, you can just imagine two Native New Englanders who've never met each other meeting... It was an awkward silence but without the awkwardness. Peggy didn't have much of a challenge in getting entire conversations in edgewise ... We started looking at the truck and eventually more words came. But it's always fun to crawl around a "new" truck... It was pretty neat, solid and a good candidate for a "rolling Restoration."

We agreed to stay in touch and he came by for a visit a week or so later ... The rest ... well, those chapters are still being written, shall we say.

First project, with John and Peggy's help, was the brakes. Truck rolled off the trailer without stopping power although the PO drove it to the pick up point. (?) Promised to be rustfree too. Well after push and roll off the trailer, I was left in a quiet dark driveway, without all those tangibles mentioned previously (tools, garage, skills) with a rustfree driver (both in question).
John helped with my brake repair shopping list and brought along tools and got me started on new wheel cylinders. Some time later we were off down my neighborhood ave. ensuring the driver would in fact go forward, back and stop. It did all and we smiled and most likely drank a beer.
Year one, was a cleanup of the interior. Year two was removal of the bed, cleanup of aft frame, brake lines. With these two segments completed, confidence was building and with many new friends encouraging me to take bigger bites, year three's project was planned to be an engine removal, engine and firewall cleanup. Those experienced bolteers will recognize this as the tipping point. Over the cliff so to speak. Engine out, cab looking very vulnerable and naked. 4 bolts and it is free. Just think of what can be accomplished if the cab was out of the way. Yes, I fell over, even was pushed over the cliff. John laughed knowing that I was in free fall even before the push.
Cab off and to the sheetmetal man to repair rustfree corners, rockers and floors. Frame stripped and painted. Year's three and four blended many projects. Year five, current year, engine back in, cab on, with work on firewall, wiring, and front clip with John now breathing down my neck to get his garage space back. Not yet, but getting closer.

My only assistance in this resto was transporting new fenders across many state lines... dibs on the "rust free" old fenders for my new truck!

George

Well, this is going pretty well. I didn't realize that you guys from New England were short on words -- I thought it just meant SPOKEN words.

But, I can see this coming together. Thanks.

And Doug, I think this story will be a good inspiration to those folks who come to the site, and really WANT an old Stovebolt - but have new clue what to do, when / where / how. We will point them to your page (there are others, too so don't feel bad). But how can we forget YOU, especially while the old Chevy is still in our garage.

Peg

Pushed over the edge, my Aunt Tilly. You jumped. I tried to grab you but you swatted my hand away as you hurled yourself headlong into the abyss.

Peggy ... his truck is in the garage? Really?? I hadn't noticed. Has it been there long?

For Gallery submission... a trip down memory lane with Hambone:

Hey, remember the time Hambone tackled the referee by mistake?

Lyle Robideaux: Yeah, that was pretty funny. How 'bout the time Hambone tackled the guy from Louisville, and threw him into the stands?

Guy Grenouille: Y'all remember the time Hambone intercepted the ball and his pants fell off, and he ran for the touchdown bare [censored]?

Farmer Fran: Remember the time Hambone...

Hambone: Remember the time Hambone showed up at halftime and the Mud Dogs won the Bourban Bowl?

Frankie Custer: Remember the time Hambone tore all those parts off my 1966 Chevy truck and I yelled at him and told him to put 'em back?

I might've gotten Hambone's story mixed up with Bobby Bouche' from the Water Boy, but it's still a great story.

George

George, That was funny right there, Dang near busted a gut.

Mike- I'm glad SOMEBODY got it!

Well. I was a member of a group that removed the Hambone front windshield, that's all I can contribute other than offering a...

MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER

to help him along the way when the times get tough.

Cosmo

Actually, Ebayed from Wisconsin. Otherwise it is a Colorado truck. (apparently they do have rust in Colorado). Never bought anything on ebay before hitting bid on this truck. Kind of went into a cold sweat when mine was winning bid. Just money I said to myself - My wife was listening, she threw one of those bolts of lightening at me. You guys know the one. Turns out it is just money, time, tools and adult language. Otherwise easy as can be. Buy the manuals, don't be afraid to ask questions and impose on your best friends and others you don't even know. If they like trucks like you do, then they will help.
By the way, today, 4 Feb 2012, I started the newly rehabbed motor (283), put the transmission in go and it went. Forward and back and then stopped when commanded. After 2 years in the barn, I again have a truck (most of the pieces) able to run around the yard.

Cosmo, Loved the video. I will be down by the river when needed.
George, Can't wait to see Frankie again. Someday he is going to wish I wanted those parts.

Hey Hambone,

Congrats on making the truck "go" !!!

Mike B

Well, I used some "adult language" when he stops halfway down the driveway, hops out and starts monkeying around in the engine area... I did manage the whip the Droid out to capture some more famous ODSS "ActionCam" video

leak check only.

Glad to hear the truck is going again... great job!

George

lets see the video i dont think it runs lol. ok now it runs come get the net project out of my yard

Yea, that was quite a surprise to see a "half truck" half-ton driving past the front window, with Hambone grinning from ear to ear -- for a while.

Everyone else was busy cutting wood so it was quite a crowd out front. So, what else is new??

Glad to see progress!

Peg

Well, here's the videographic evidence

As Peggy correctly pointed out, everyone *else* was working....

looked like John was'nt doing anything either, he waited for Hambone to pull out of the garage.

John not doing anything - on a Saturday? Yea right. He was over there by the garage splitting wood with two helpers. A day-long project. Reinforcements arrived from across the street, too. But all that big pile of wood is cut, split and put up.

Okay snow ... come on!



Peg

Wow.

Great job Doug!

Awesome!

In the process of transplanting 1200 trees these past two weeks, we got to see a little bit of Hambone. Then tonight, with beers in tow, we surveyed all the hard work. AND Mrs. Hambone arrived.

So, H said to come back here and see what's been posted so far. I am determined to get his story in ... at least enough to make a story. Mrs. H said she's help - even it's just a paragraph or two at a time.

So, let's jump back into the wayback machine and see what we can recall about Hambone's truck. I will start piecing it together!

Thanks
Peg