The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 1930 Chevrolet AD Universal - Canopy Express Truck

Being a fan of the antiques for a long time now, I have always enjoyed looking at, reading about, and checking them out whnever I could. Always thought it would be cool to won one, in its original state. Granted the Hot Rods are cool, but the originality and simplicity of the original state has always intrigued me. I have scanned the classifieds, the online ads and auctions, in general jsut seeing what is out there not being in a rush to get anything. Recently gcame across an ad for a 1930 Chevrolet Universal AD - Canopy Express Truck/ Huckster partially restored and it caught my attention. Was unique in a way all its own. So I contacted the seller and inquired...

Well after a few weeks of working with the seller, finding and setting up transport, and getting all the ducks in a row, the truck was finally delivered Yesterday afternoon !! It is now it it's new home, My garage

Few pictures attached below of the delivery and unloading.

My plan is to restore it to a factory original state within my limits and capabilities. Hopefully with some guidance and direction from my new friends of the local AACA Chapter here, and My New online Friends (You Guys) I will get this knocked out. I am in no rush to get this done, but would like to work on it steadily and patiently.

Now to figure out where to start. My plan is to catalog and take inventory of what I have on hand. While i do some research and try to figure out HOW this thing goes together. As it is currently in pieces. Once I have an inventory I would liket ot dry fit everything together to see what i have, what i need, and what needs to be done. Then I can start to disassemble, fix, work, replace, or repair parts that need attention. then completely reassemble the truck and do the fine detail work. I know, I Know it will take lots of time, and of course $$ MONEY $$, and LOADS of PATIENCE and homework. I plan on being around a while, and enjoy it once it is complete.

Any and all feedback, support, guidance, reference, information would be greatly appreciated !! have not had much luck finding a lot of info on any of these.

Pictures Can Be Viewed here: Huckster: Transport

Ok, Unloaded and in the Garage: Huckster: 2012-06-06

You can Follow this project if Interested: AACA Project: 1930 Chevrolet Universal AD - Canopy Express Truck (Huckster)

Way cool!
Definitely a "special" project.
What's not together? Motor, drivetrain?

What a cool little truck. I think you are right in restoring it vs. the Hotrod path.

It's near perfect the way it is now

Very nice and in very restorable condition. Is that it's engine in the bed? looks rebuilt, maybe?

Nice, with a setup like that you sure can take more people for ice cream, and no sunburns or bothersome rain! Hussah!

That is a great looking truck. Something that rare and in that condition is better restored than rodded, in my opinion. Best of luck, lots of folks here to help!

Nice project. Welcome aboard.

Your plan to assemble it first is a sound one. I'd take it a step further and get it running and stopping first. Then drive it a while to see what it needs. Do the restoration a piece at a time while you enjoy the truck. A huge percentage of trucks that get torn apart all at once never make it back together.

The stories that truck could tell...

Good luck. You got a great project and it is wonderful that you are honoring its past by keeping it original.

Some do great as a hot rod. I don't think a canopy express fits into that category.

Bill

Simply Sweeeeeeeet !!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Tim

Very nice old truck. Good luck with the restoration!

Thanks for all the feedback... It "LOOKS" like it is mostly assembly, yet there are only 1-2 bolts holding in the panels, and parts for transportation purposes. Yes the Engine is in hte bed, with the Tranny and parts. Once I start to inventory i will take more pictures of what I am working with. EVERYTHING is in pieces in the bed. Engine & Tranny have supposedly been rebuilt, painted, andready to go. Looks like most all the wood has been redone. will post pictures of the redone top, it is Beautiful, to say the least !! the Steering components are in the bed, or should be. Did find hte Steering wheel, it is is good shape, all wood, still together, a weak joint or two.

I like the idea of building it, running it, testing it out, and then going back and restoring it to ensure EVERYTHING that needs to be done is done.

Just Unloaded and Inventoried the parts, check the update here: Lots of pictures & Parts ( lol )...
1930 Chevrolet AD Universal - Canopy Express Truck

Update on my project...

We were able to get the engine out the the bed with the help of my neighbors x2 and his engine lift/ hoist. Picked it up and put it down on a set of dollies I had, so I can push and move it around as needed. Found out my Neighbor with the Lift also owns a bolt !! a 1948 Chevrolet Pick-Up, Pretty Nice truck !

My Son and I began to install the bed strappping and bolts and a few other part on the rear end. Figure start on the back work our way forward.

Slowly and Steadily we go.

Pictures are here: Huckster: 2012-06-25

Try giving the guys at the Vintage Chevrolet Club of America (VCCA) try with your questions a lot of knowledge there.
Ther website has a link to the chat forums
www.vcca.org

Yeah I am active on VCCA as well, great guys there and here, TRULY Helping me out A LOT !! Also frequent AACA for info and assistance.

Well spent the weekend out in the garage, organizing my parts.

Sorted them out into categories based on what MAJOR Component the go to, labeled every part, pull and tagged the duplicates, and then sorted everything on my newly installed shelving. Also sorted all the hardware by size & style.

Huckster: Parts Organized

Well My Week in review:

Installed and secured the Drivers Side Rear bed Panel, all nails have been installed. Looks good and solid:

Huckster: Side Panel

Well continuing to work on the Truck, after making a list of hardware required, I have ordered the hardware I need, and got most of ot in this week, a few more items are due to arrive on monday. Once I have everything on hand My son and I are planning on takingthe steel bolts, stripping the zinc coating off, and then blackening them. Not a fan of shiny bolts on my antique.

while waiting on the parts to arrive rolled the truck out and gave the chasis a pressure wash to remove dirt debris and loose particles. Now planning on hittingthe frame with a wire brush and then throwing on a coat of black paint to seal her up. a little preventative maintance you can say.

Huckster: Wash Down

Alright, this was a pretty slow but productive weekend for me on the 1930. I completely disassembled the bed from the frame, then removed the body from the frame so that I can address the frame and it's components to begin my restoration process. Here are some Picts:

Huckster: Bed Removal
Huckster: Body Removal

My plan is to clean up the frame, give it a clean fresh coat of paint, and then address the brakes and suspension components. The Frame is in great shape, a few spots of surface rust, buit nothign major that I can see as of now. Plan is to get a complete solid rolling chassis, (Clean Frame, Functioning Brake System, & Suspension) then from there ?!?!

Also I finally got in all the hardware I ordered this past firday, so took some time on sunday to do some blackening. I id NOT want to use bright Zinc hardware on the 1930, so I opted for this instead. The hardware turned out really nice, I am very happy with the results !! Just an FYI I used the Caswell Black Oxide System, and would recommend it to anyone doing this.

Ok, Spent the saturday working on the frame. Stripping it down and putting a coat of Primer on. About 1/5 Done. Taking my time and trying to do it right. First time I have ever attempted anything like this, so ... Also I am doing this with an angle grinder and wire brushes, as well as by hand in the hard to reach spots. Yes I am wearing PPE, Safety Goggles, Face Shield, Respirator and long sleeves & pants. Wires & paint flying everywhere !!

Here are some Pictures from Saturday:
Huckster: Frame Prime 01

Tomorrow hoping to get another section done.

Ok, was able to get back out and do some more work sunday on the frame getting another section done. Had to get more primer, and ended up destroying both Wire Brushes I had on hand, so back to the store for some more if i plan on getting naythign done tomorrow !!

Here are some Pictures from Sunday:
Huckster: Frame Prime 02

Tomorrow hoping to get another section done, Since I will be home hanging out with the kids :-)