Hi all, I am a new member from Australia and a tragic lover of all things American - especially old trucks and Cadillacs. In particular Chevy Coe's and Stovebolts of all years. This love affair has been going on for the best part of my life - I am 53 now and started my first project car - a 55 chevy four door at 18 years old. I have been very fortunate to have owned and restored & hotrodded many American trucks and cars. I have a link that will show an array of vehicles that I have owned and mostly still own. Although I can't find photos of my first 3 trucks - a '50,53 & 56 Chevy 1/2 ton pickup trucks (all since sold). I have recently moved house so when I do find them I will post them. I am currently waiting on the 1956 GMC 100 V8 Big back window truck to arrive on the docks any day now. I plan to use this as my daily driver if it all checks out OK.
The 1950 COE is my latest project that was completed just over 12 months ago and I am currently using it as my daily driver. It runs a 500cu.in Cadillac motor with a 3speed TH400 transmission. It rides on a 1976 C30 Dually chassis and has all the creature comforts , A/C, PW,PB, stereo, etc. It has been an 8.5 year project of love to get it to completion. I have had a lot of help along the way, and have finally fulfilled a dream to build & own a unique vehicle like this. You have to understand that these were not available in the Australian market , so I had to import it some 9-10 years back. Although the concept has been in the brain matter for some 15 years or so. We set about grafting an Aussie body - GM Holden Built conventional truck body to the rear of the COE. We got 4 doors to make 2 suicide opening rear doors. We made a complete new pickup bed and 2 step running boards. The 500cu.in Cadillac motor was mounted behind the front axle, about where the front seat is - we sit right over the motor. We also grafted in a right hand drive 59 chevy passenger car dash c/w Dakota Digital gauges. A Flaming River Billet Tilt column went in with a custom wheel. We modified the C30 diff housing to accept a 9" centre for greater selection of final drive gear sets. The roof turret section comes out of an Aussie built mid 70's XC Ford Falcon station wagon. It had the right shape, length and numerous swages already in the roof that made it a natural fit.
I recently attended a Rock & Roll Nostalgia Festival north of Sydney where 506 cars were in the show and shine competition and the COE was placed in the top 10.
There were a lot of people in awe of the truck and so many were unaware of this type of truck or had never seen such a truck. It certainly generated a lot of interest and I was pleased to tell the story. I can tell you that there is only a handfull of these COE's here in Australia and I believe mine is the first to hit the road. I am trying to get out to as many runs and shows as possible to spread the gospel on these great trucks. This truck is a pleasure to drive and ride in. The C30 chassis & suspension gives it a great ride indeed. I hope you have enjoyed the story, and I hope that I have got the link correct for you all to view the COE and my other toys.
Regards Harry.
Pictures on Flickr
