The Stovebolt Site Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre Do It Yourself (DITY) Gallery 1954 Chevrolet COE Dump Truck

My name is Dave Gibson and I live in Poulsbo, WA, a small town near Seattle.I bought my first '54 truck, a 3100, from a friend when I was in high school and have always had a love for them. When it came time to start another project, I thought it would be fun to try a Big Bolt. My research found this COE back in Michigan, a long way from Seattle, but I loved the the look of it and had to have it! I flew to Michigan, met the owner Joe, and we became fast friends. He is a retired mechanic/auto worker with a yard full of projects and a barn full of tools, a hobbyist's dream! I also bought a flatbed from Joe to haul the COE home. We spent a week getting the flatbed ready for the road, said our goodbye's, and I drove back to Seattle without a hitch. I started the restoration, but then sold our house and had to look for another garage. We are in our new house and I should get back to it soon. My wife thinks the house addition should come first. I sneak out and weld while she's at work!

1954 COE

Welcome Dave... Looks like your off to a great start... Always good to see another 54 being restored...

Thanks, healingbear, nice to hear from another 54 fan!

That's a nice one there. Looks to be a 5100 series short wheelbase also. you don't see many of them. Most are the 5700 long wheelbase. What are your plans for it? Put the dump back on, or ad a fifth wheel, & saddle tank on it, & make a roadtractor out of it? Looks like you had to watch your bridge clearance, on the way back to Washington. What was your loaded height?

54nut, welcome to the stovebolt and congrats on your find. There is just something about a COE with the big one piece windshield that makes it look awesome. Thats some nice work your doing. Thanks for keeping us posted.

Spanky, it is a 5100, I think that's part of what drew me to it. I plan on keeping it as a dump truck. It would be great if it would pull my track hoe around, but even with the two speed rear end and 261, I imagine that will be too much to ask of it. I don't remember my truck height, I think it was around 12-13 feet. I had a great time bringing it home. When I get back to work on it, I know I'll be talking to all of you in the big bolt section. I love this website!

And yes, Achipmunk, I think it is the best looking truck out there.

Check out this film clip, http://archive.org/details/American1955_2 you'll like what you see at around the 12 min. mark of the clip.

Nice collection! I also have a 1954 farm truck, a cattle truck . I'd love to get a suburban added to my collection. OK, I have a Suburban, but it's 2004, doesn't count. And yea, the track hoe is pretty nice, I'll admit.

That film is great. Maybe I will make a hauler out of it. It looked awfully good in the film.

Looking really nice! Wish i had the heavy equipment to get my dump bed off but i will figure something out!!! Good lucky and have fun with the rest of your project!

that thing is sweet can't wait to see more pics

Welcome Dave, it looks like you're well on the way,i've got a real soft spot for COEs,I just wish the 'Boss' and my bank manager shared my enthusiasm.

Good luck with your Big Bolt.