The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop 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.

There's a lot of nice trucks for sale out there. Check out the stovebolts for sale, auto trader classics and ebay classics. You can shop around and find a truck with all the bells and whistles that you want. But if you want skinned knuckles, grease, rat turds and all the fun things that go into building one from scratch, they're out there also. Just my 2cents.

Thanks, Yakima, but I think I'll pass on the rat turds!

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. Or for someone wanting to sell a 53 5-window that has great bones but maybe needs new engine & tranny that I can modernize with a crate 350 and 5-speed stick, etc.

Want a summer driver that I take on long road trips and not worry about breaking down. In my neck of the woods, the truck would be stored from Halloween until May....

Thanks and hope you have a beautiful Christmas.

It is a lot cheaper & easier to buy one already built then paying someone to do it. Like Yakim says check the adds on the internet & Craigslist. The auctions are good also but you don't get a chance to checkm it out real good.
I'm 78 & still building them myself but I had a lot of experience going in.

yep, cheaper to buy one done then have one built. but to each his own,also depends on funds. i know a guy that builds 40's and 50's trucks,PM if you would like his info.If you do go that route, find someone that does mostly the style/year/mods that you are looking for, it will save money in the long run.

daren

+1 on buying it done and maybe modifying to your liking. I have a 49 3100 and had bought a 74 Camaro from a junkyard many years ago and am finally getting around to getting my truck together. Even though I have done everything my self except the actual welding of the clip and paint and body work, I still have big bucks into mine.
This project will have taken just short of 2 years of fairly steady work. Of course I wanted PS,AC,new seats, etc. along with a pearl paint job. Hopefully in a couple of months I'll have a nice driver.

Yakim, Wrenchbender, etc have given you the best way for YOU to get want you want. With your criteria, it's the best way to get one you like and much faster. The correct term for a modern drive train, brakes and steering with original looking body/interior is "Resto-Mod". To drive "coast to coast" requires a resto-mod with quality workmanship built with quality parts. I think I would look for one built on one of those well known chassis. Buying from the internet/Ebay is a bit risky. Best to see and inspect or buy from reputable auction like Barrett-Jackson, albeit expensive. I am giving this opinion based on the dependability you require and your "inclination" comment. Good luck and have lot's of enjoyment with your 53. Let us know what you get!! FYI: I am 66 and still learning to build them, you are definately NOT too old to do one. Actually you are quite young. (59!!!!!)

I'll be 57 this year. I've been driving and building my 53 since 1974. I've finaly got it the way I wanted it. Did it all my self excpt the paint. Prety much can build anthing, thats my buisness. These guys are right, there are some real nice rides out there. If you have the funds you can ride nice. I've seen AD trucks that would rate right up there with any modern Chevy truck and better. Hope you find a good ride. P.S. I know I'll build another. Been bitten.

Dittos on Baba's comments -

Buy quality truck that looks and drives the way you want it. Since you want a stick shift & most of the "built" trucks are automatics; you may just find the perfect truck
(minus the stick shift) and get to know and love it, while planning on having a good shop convert it over for you... Not really a huge deal to do so. Clutch linkage, crossmember, pedal assembly solutions abound out there.

my 2 cents!

If you want it RAT TURD FREE I would suggest you look to Alberta (we are Rat free you know) . But seriously If you want to pay and play then find a truck that someone else built or had built . You will probably save a pile of money in the process .

Another option, while certainly not cheaper, would be to buy pieces from the ground up, and have it built. There are companies that build the frame, all of the body panes, etc. You could have a 1953 5 window pickup where it was virtually new (of course it will cost a pretty penny to do that.)

My recommendation, shop around and buy a completed project.
Here is one for example. They are asking 11,000 or so. While this would not have everything exactly as you want it, it would certainly give you something that worked to start with. Something to consider.


http://www.trucks2cars.com/car-deta...s-SHORTBED-PICKUP-1953_271134801891.html

If you can work with wood then you must be able to use your hands buy a unfinished project there is plenty of choice out there I want a 1959 for my next project