Back to the fifties with a 59 project
 

Today i bought a 59 chevy truck, my first 50s model anything. I plan to just do alittle straighting up on it for now while i work on other projects:hh: ( the wife is a truck girl but she says you haven't finished what you got yet). I got it for $400 from a guy i known for years.

Re: Back to the fifties with a 59 project
 

interior/235 i think no idea what trans it thay had in these years

Re: Back to the fifties with a 59 project
 

the door is the worst part of it as i know of anyways needs a door glass vent window is laying in the seat might not complete i don't believe. The bottom hinge is messed up inside the door what could that be rusted apart? something broke i have no experience with these trucks;)

Re: Back to the fifties with a 59 project
 

Cool
I think you should do the truck ahead of the other projects.
Kim

Re: Back to the fifties with a 59 project
 

the door issue is pretty common: lower door hinge support area is rusted on the door! does the motor turn over by hand? has a standard 3spd with column shift. if motor is frozen remove the plugs and fill the cylinders with a ATF/ACETONE mixture 50-50 and let it soak for a week and that should free it up. 235's are tough to kill. the carb can be rebuilt and parts house will have kit under $20.

Re: Back to the fifties with a 59 project
 

:cong::welcome2:
These trucks are some of the nicest ever made, enjoy it!
And luckily for us, there is a large enough demand to generate a unbelievable aftermarket scene... you can literally build a complete truck with aftermarket parts, cab and all...
All of the parts you will need can be found...
as an example, here is the complete lower door panel that can be replaced...
http://www.classicparts.com/images/44-613C.jpg
Classic Parts Link

Ive been working on my truck on/off for 8 years (and i'm only 25)
whenever im working on it though, I am having fun...
Enjoy it!

Re: Back to the fifties with a 59 project
 

yea, i took the small panel off and found the mount broke away on the hinge, not sure on the engine yet can't work on it for the rain. I want to get the door fixed and a window in to first thing to seal it up better.
thanks all for the comments this will be a learning experience for me i'm a 67-72 guy mostly i have always wanted a 50's era truck though so i couldn't pass this chance up.

Re: Back to the fifties with a 59 project
 

$400 bucks is a major score! Good luck on the project and i hope you finish this one...Keep us posted on the progress.

Re: Back to the fifties with a 59 project
 

I love project threads! Got a great starting point there at prices I can only dream of.

Re: Back to the fifties with a 59 project
 

My dad rebuilt the carb on our 235 too, I can get you part number for the rebuild kit and where you got it..

he said autozone I think, never mind..

sweet score

Re: Back to the fifties with a 59 project
 

I'M BACK I haven't worked on this truck since November 2011. I knew i was going to move so i didn't take it apart. I pulled the exhaust off and transmission out and since just moved it around the yard.:smoke:

Re: Back to the fifties with a 59 project
 

Removed the intake/exhaust manifolds one in two pieces:lol: also seen why i couldn't get the motor to turn over;)

Re: Back to the fifties with a 59 project
 

Today got the urge (while it was dry out) to move it into the shop for some love. Took the seat out outside and cleaned out the cab. Cleaned out the bed and removed the hood to get ready to remove the engine.

Re: Back to the fifties with a 59 project
 

Found a few arrow heads in the cab.

Re: Back to the fifties with a 59 project
 

This project will test all my skills and learn me some, i plan to keep the orginal frame upgraded to an ifs and do something with the rear end. Have a choice of a 350 or and inine 6 (250)/3speed not sure yet leaning toward the inline. :confused:

Re: Back to the fifties with a 59 project
 

Looks like a nice start!

Re: Back to the fifties with a 59 project
 

Glad to see you back at it.
Kim

Re: Back to the fifties with a 59 project
 

good project !!! have fun with it

Re: Back to the fifties with a 59 project
 

Here, let me provide a little motivation for an inline six. This isn't mine. I stole it off the 67-72 board. It's a newer 250 but it gives you a good idea how nice these engines can look, well at least if you like billet:

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps553816ca.jpg

Re: Back to the fifties with a 59 project
 

Arrowheads! That thing is oooooold!
Well it is an Apache, right?
you got a deal on that thing! Keep going !

Re: Back to the fifties with a 59 project
 

Yea, the inlines make beautiful engines love them, yea apache :lol: didn't tie the two together till now.

Re: Back to the fifties with a 59 project
 

Great looking truck !!!
is that mouse dead or sleeping? Guessing dead

Love the patina

Re: Back to the fifties with a 59 project
 

Thanks,He was dead.

Re: Back to the fifties with a 59 project
 

Looks like a great project truck. Congrats!

Looks like you'll have a lot of the same rust issues I had with my '57. I detailed how I dealt with fixing all that in my build thread. If you want to see what you are going to be getting into, check it out when you get time.

Re: Back to the fifties with a 59 project
 

Sounds like our stories are kinda similar.
My oldest vehicle was an 81 mighty max and I took my 56 Chevy short box project over from its previous owner with it 75% dismantled with parts in boxes and crates so it's been awesome reading about these trucks and learning how to reassemble and repair, modify and restore it.

I'll be following your progress, as I'm looking forward to watching you turn this truck into something nice. Thankfully there are alot of good guys and gals on these forums who are knowledgeable and willing to help!

Re: Back to the fifties with a 59 project
 

Will do thanks

All I drive is older vehicles love them, but this 59 is a totally new area for me. Yes I love this site.

Re: Back to the fifties with a 59 project
 

Grill and bumper removed without much fight. Grill will need some patchwork on bottom side but otherwise not bad.

Re: Back to the fifties with a 59 project
 

What was wrong with the engine and was that a rats nest in the Transmission thing ?

Re: Back to the fifties with a 59 project
 

Best i can tell thats an end of a connecting rod sticking out of the oil pan:hmm:and yes another rat nest. Plan on removing engine this week ill open it up to look just for fun.

Re: Back to the fifties with a 59 project
 

How in the lord could a mouse get there?
Good luck, upload some photos on it !!!

Re: Back to the fifties with a 59 project
 

Front end is off metal surprisingly good just a few spots i'll have to work on.

Re: Back to the fifties with a 59 project
 

Nice progress.
Kim

Re: Back to the fifties with a 59 project
 

thanks

Re: Back to the fifties with a 59 project
 

motors out, took it apart wow what a job since it wouldn't turn with the broke rod etc. and found the the failure and oil pan killer:lol:

Re: Back to the fifties with a 59 project
 

Love the 58-59 Chevys.

That's not bad! :) haha. Just kidding. That looks rough. Nothing time and money can't fix.

Re: Back to the fifties with a 59 project
 

been doing some metal work on the grill, it was rusted out in the bottom. I started on the bad side got it almost done little more tacking and grinding. The other side it is much better, then on to the body work for it. It's not perfect but i have several hours in it and saveing some cash. It will be painted anyway so i figured i would try fixing it. Would help alot if i had gas on my welder but doing the best i can. Useing a square body scrap fender for patches:smoke:

Re: Back to the fifties with a 59 project
 

Repair looks good.
Kim

Re: Back to the fifties with a 59 project
 

Thanks, feels good to save money and keep original stuff

Re: Back to the fifties with a 59 project
 

Little update, got the grill finally all patched ready to prime, so been working on the fender but had to wait few weeks on a back ordered part. Fender almost done.

Re: Back to the fifties with a 59 project
 

Hey man, outstanding work on your truck


I need the lower fender patch as well, how hard was it to weld?