My old truck is a 1955 Chevrolet series 2 and has been an off and on project for a number of years.  I found the old truck in a field beside a body shop north of Childersburg Alabama in or around 1990.  The body serial number indicates it was assembled in the Atlanta, GA plant in January of 1955 and was the 20,919th Chevrolet truck of that model manufactured.

I removed the entire body and restored the frame.  I boxed in the front section of the "C" channel frame for strength and installed a custom front suspension kit from Fat Mans Fabrication with rack and pinion power sterling and disk brakes.  The engine is from a 1982 Corvette, a four bolt main 350 bored 30 over with a modest cam and quadrajet 4 barrel carb. The transmission is a TH200-R4  4 speed overdrive linked to a 354 gear rear end.

As you can see I have been painting parts as I put them on over the years but it all will need repainting when if ever I finish the job.  Its good therapy to go out to the garage and work on it from time to time and maybe one day I will be done.  WELL THAT DAY IS HERE AND THE FINAL PAINT COAT IS BEING APPLIED.  YES!

  
   
   

I am removing the gas tank from its factory installed position in cab, behind the seat, and relocating a new fuel tank under the bed. 

I will fill from a pop-up cap under the bed floor.  Can't wait to install the new chrome grille and new reproduction emblems, trim

and bumpers.  The bed floor will be oak with stainless steel trim from LMC trucks.  I have yet to decide the color of stain for it.

 

 

 

Engine compartment needs a lot of cleanup after the sanding

 

 

 

Paint complete on cab and started on the bed.  Next thing to do, relocate the fuel tank form the cab to under the bed.

I was able to find a new tank manufactured by Tanks inc. that fit between the cross members and behind the differential

and it was easy to form straps to install it.  The fill will be in the floor inside the bed.

 

 

The wood is now installed on the truck frame. The bed sides and front will sit on and bolt through the wood floor and the tailgate

will mount to the rear cross sill when it is painted.  The new under bed fuel tank can be seen too the rear of the tire and the fill is

in the bed floor.

 

 

Inside the cab work has been time consuming.  I first stripped out most of the 65 year old wiring and replaced it as needed.  I replaced the vacuum powered wiper motor with an electric motor. I remember driving the old cars of the day when these wipers were prevalent, they would stop working on every acceleration, every hill, and never try to pass in the rain. Still a lot to be done. More later

Right Side Top

Now the bed is painted and installed.  I am ordering a new rear bumper and brackets and the outside should be complete.  Can't wait to get it out on the road.

Bottom

 

The seat is recovered and ready to install

The bed floor is oak in a natural stain with 8 coats of spar varnish

you can see I have installed a new gas tank under the bed and the fill is in the bed floor.