The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 1937 1 1/2 Build Thread

This thread will start out disappointing as the poor state of the truck is pretty far gone. That being said, I am at least wise enough to know the project is far outside my limited abilities, so I will have lots of learning to do! The truck does have some cool(ish) history which I am in the process of tracking down. I know that it was purchased with insurance money after the 1936 Johnstown Flood (not the big darn one, that was 1889). A father's beer distributor was destroyed and he used the money to buy his sons each a truck for their own business. I'm trying to identify the company names and see if there are any pictures of the truck to attempt to restore as originally used. I have no idea what bed it used, some from the period were stake body, some were van, i'm sure there are others too. I've been reaching out to local historical societies in vain so far. I purchased the truck and frame for $400 and got a new floor/seat riser and door for another $200 at a show. I have the front end sheet metal in restorable condition. The cab will be the most work for sure. Here are two pictures from the day we moved it, the fella's in the pictures are the guys who own the shop that the truck is stored at. I'll start with getting the chassis and running gear in order and then work up from there. Time and money are of course the limiting factors!

Chassis

Sheet Metal

Frantz,

I am also working on a 1937 Chevy 1.5 Ton. You are definately in the right place. Parts can be a trick but Jim Carter has been a good source for me. Stay motivated.

Well this has been a rather slow start! But I've been working on renovating a farm house for the past year since moving back to PA, now we are getting ready to move in. I will be bringing the cab and fenders to our place this week. I need to use a trailer to get the frame down, but having the truck on site will definitely assist in getting it together. The cab is mostly at scrap status, so that will be the major job. Since we will be starting to add some market gardens to the property, the intention is to use this truck to take produce to market and use it as part of our advertisement. So as the business grows I'll have to buy more old trucks!

I downloaded the spec sheets from the GM heritage site so first step will be to weld in some jigs to get the dimensions right so I can weld in floor.

I have a '46 2-ton that I am using for my market gardens. It has hauled in 8 loads of compost to get things going and will be hauling produce out to the local farmers' market until October. While the old truck truly works for a living, it does get the winter off.

Nothing ever goes quite as planned, but progress is progress. We finally moved in to our new (1800s) home and just this week I got the truck towed here! Now it's just outside the door so I have space and tools at the same spot! Tonight I soaked the nuts and bolts with PB blaster, and then it rained, so I'll have to dose it again (and probably several more times. I'm going to start looking for transmission parts to do a rebuild, as well as the rear end and brakes. I don't have a big issue with switching some parts with new components if I have to, but anything I can keep original I will. Still need wheels!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v253/Psomion/FrameHome.jpg

Frantz, I have a 37 1.5 truck I am parting out, its got all the wheels and the whole chassis with engine and trans, rear, got some body parts too. fenders need some work but workable, let me know if I can help you with anything, its the shipping that will eat you up.Dan

I think I found the name of the beer distributor that originally purchased the truck. I believe it is Stanislawczyk in East Conemaugh Pa. It appears their is still a company by the name, but no website/phone number as of yet. Address has changed in 80 years but still in E Conemaugh.... Boy original pictures would be awesome, I would probably revert the truck back to original paint/graphics if pictures surfaced.

Seat springs found and purchased! Also located an Upholstery kit. Does anyone know what the original material choices/colors where? I'd probably buy this kit anyhow as a pattern for my seat covers and just cut and sew my own. Here is what I found:

http://www.classictruck.com/product...t_kit_UP150-BK/1936-46_Trucks_Upholstery