The Stovebolt Site Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre New guy with a dream

Hi, guys.
I turn 60 in 2013 and it's time to fulfill a dream -- owning a Chevy 3100 5-window that's the same age as me! A 1953 model.
I can build most anything out of wood -- houses, boats, furniture -- but have never had any mechanical experience. So, sorry to say, I will need to buy a completed pickup or have one custom fabricated. I don't think I have enough years left to learn to do it myself!
I'm looking for a reliable ride that I can safely drive coast-to-coast and am leaning toward a 350 crate engine combined with a 4 or 5-speed stick shift. I guess what you might call a resto-rod.
Are there any custom shops that you could recommend in the U.S. or Canada (I'm in Northern Ontario) that specialize in such vehicles? (I tried the links section but some are expired.)
Would I be best to buy a decent on-line truck myself and ship it somewhere to be re-done to my specs? Are there big issues to deal with in upgrading to a new crate engine and transmission?
Sorry for all of the questions, but it is a dream I'd love to fulfill, just like so many of you have already done on this great forum.
Thanks for your advice.

60!! Don't sell yourself short! Metal is a lot like wood, you cut it, you shape it, you stick it together. Just takes practice! It's easy to buy a truck already done, but if you have a dream, you have to build it! Good luck!

Welcome to the Stovebolt..... where folks and lots of knowledge abound for you. At 65 I'm just now finishing up an over 6 year project on a 52panel. Sooo, go for it....but I will say the better the shape the truck is in the less problems and parts searching.

...just for whats it worth. Ask your questions in the most appropiate forum for the most views and answers which equal results. Not everyone visits here in the Welcome Centre.
You know, metal questions in the Paint and Body and engine questions in the Engine Forum.
Lots of nice folks here that will help you along with ANY problem you may have.
Good luck and let us know what you decide and always, always some pics are great.

Thanks for the welcome and the advice, Chip, and for the encouragement Coffeeman.
I've re-posted in the HiPo Shop which is probably a more appropriate place.
Now, Chip, you say that at 65 you're finishing a 6-year project. Way to go, but I don't want to wait that long! ha, ha.
I don't mind tackling the cosmetics like interior, new bed, glass etc., but I just don't have the talent (or the inclination) to tackle motor, tranny, suspension, brakes, etc.
That's why I'm looking for a good shop that has done AD 3100s before.
Thanks and hope you all have a beautiful Christmas.

welcome and merry xmas great you are going to keep a dream alive go for it you will love the journey

Welcome Waves2275. I also did a lot of the work on mine (like AChipmunk) took the same amount of time. It's likely better to take certain components to different people to get worked on, bring the engine to one place, get gauges done elsewhere, and so on. I traded bodywork on my truck for helping him with upgrading his building. Getting one place to do everything will almost certainly cost an arm and two legs.

Check out the gallery, link at the top of the page, for ideas. Good luck with it.

Leo