Dug's 1959 Fleetside

[dug224]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the thoughts and prayers. Take care.

[dug224]

Just when you think all the good trucks have been restored, you go on a walk with family and run across something like this. The owner of this one is a young man who inherited this 1955 Cameo (V-8 and AT) from his grandfather who bought it new. Lived most of its life in Los Angles but now up in Central Calif. Virtually unmolested. According to my brother-in-law, it has been sitting here for approx 20 years. They get about 20 inquires a year and have turned down $15,000. It's a beauty. Told them I would post some photos and remove the tag and not disclose the location. Cab corners, steps and floor looked to be in great shape. They assured me that it would be stored in a barn soon.

[dug224]

...a few more...

[dsraven]

wow, the dash isn't even hacked up for different radio etc. fiberglass box sides so no rust there but even the inside looks good. hopefully they restore it.
now THAT would look good on a trailblazer frame, eh Doug?

[dug224]

Distractions and more distractions. As I try to outlast the brutal heat (and mostly humidity) and gain momentum on the '59, small projects that will fill up the bed of the '59 keep finding me. It didn't hurt that I sold the Honda TL250 which freed up some mad money.

The first thing that surfaced was an all original '93 CT70 with only 400 miles on it. Cleaned the carb, straightened the turn signal arms, installed a new battery and washed it and have been buzzing around on it ever since.


The second thing that showed up is an all original '73 Schwinn Apple Krate that was stored in an attic in Tennessee for the last 40+ years. Some say that this was the gateway drug into the hot rod world that some of us got hooked on back in the '70's. I had an Orange Krate back in the day. This particular one even had the original tires although I had to replace the front one. The slick in the rear is like new. Mucho light surface rust on every square inch of chrome. Through Google, I discovered that Aluminum foil and water would clean up effortlessly. It did a shockingly good job on 90% of the chrome. Re-glued the a section of the seat, repacked all the bearings and replaced the brake cables but kept the original housing. This year even had a cable actuated rear disc brake!!

BEFORE


AFTER

[Nut Case]

Dug

Rock on!!!! To see passion for a bike with a springer fork and a banana seat is refreshing.

The final touch is to put a Hurst T Shifter on it. Out a sight, right on!!!

What fun, way to go, strong work.

Keep on keepin on

Nut Case

[dsraven]

hey Dugg, you still out there? too busy riding that new bike?

[dug224]

Originally Posted by dsraven

hey Dugg, you still out there? too busy riding that new bike?

Yep...still out here. I keep getting distracted by what falls in my lap which I have decided is really what it is all about. Sold the TL250, bought an all original 1993 CT70 with only 400 miles on it and I bought a container full of Honda CT70 bikes and parts that I took to Barber's Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham, AL (World Class!!) and sold. This stuff keeps finding me. Now that I have some spending money, I plan on easing back into the truck build later this winter, when it actually cools off. We've had a hot permanent summer with a ton of rain here. But first, to hold me over, I'm building a CT70 Cafe Racer of sorts with a Chinese 125CC Lifan engine and a left over frame from my container purchase. Back to the truck SOON!!!

[dsraven]

hey Doug, whatcha doing these days? building houses, bikes, scooters, trucks? been awhile.

[dug224]

Originally Posted by dsraven

hey Doug, whatcha doing these days? building houses, bikes, scooters, trucks? been awhile.

Sorry for the late response. Still here. Trying to shake off this Canadian winter!!! I bought a new Eastwood Multiprocessor (MIG, TIG, Stick) welder so I'm practicing on a few things before the cab work restarts.

[idbeast]

Yes, the old 5 speed "ball buster"!!!

[OldChevysRule]

Hey Doug! I haven't been on the forum for a while, so I thought I would check in on the progress of your truck. I thought that would be better than just dropping in on you at home at almost 9 p.m.! I do need to get over to see you and your truck sometime soon. It looks like you have been quite busy lately. Keep up the good work. My projects are still collecting dust while I try to collect parts and money. The parts are easier to collect than the money, though! Take care.

[dug224]

Minor progress. Managed to get the smooth dash cleaned up and stitched into place.

[dsraven]

that looks great. now just to smooth the edge, a little epoxy and some filler to smooth things over.
on one of the other threads we discussed panel adhesive. that may work well on something like this as well if there is enough of the edge to get a good lasting bond.
keep going, you'll be done in no time. nice to see you back at it. are you done all those other projects already?

[dug224]

Originally Posted by dsraven

that looks great. now just to smooth the edge, a little epoxy and some filler to smooth things over.
on one of the other threads we discussed panel adhesive. that may work well on something like this as well if there is enough of the edge to get a good lasting bond.
keep going, you'll be done in no time. nice to see you back at it. are you done all those other projects already?

Never done! I look at those projects as practice for the '59! The Tandem (Schwinn BMX front and Huffy step thru rear) turned out pretty good. G-kids need a few more years on them to get two on it without crashing. The 5 year old can ride it but the long wheel base makes it challenging. Base coat/Clear coat using small HVLP gun......as I said, practice.

[dsraven]

thats cool. the blue wheels really sets it off too.

[dug224]

Got two days in a row in on the truck. Managed to smooth the stitch welds in preparation for what little body work I intend to do on the truck.

[dug224]

Bodywork on the smooth dash coming along...


Metal stretch marks from original stamp visible on underside of eyebrow in this shot on the right.


Spot welds on dash eyebrow suddenly became more visible as I sanded and looked for flaws and where else to fill.

[dsraven]

looks like it's coming along nicely. almost time for some epoxyn high build and block sand.
are you placing any controls in the dash? switches, heater control, wiper control?

[dug224]

Originally Posted by dsraven

looks like it's coming along nicely. almost time for some epoxyn high build and block sand.
are you placing any controls in the dash? switches, heater control, wiper control?

Current plan is to button up what you can see in the cab and the firewall with a little body work then get the bottom painted/coated and get the cab back on the frame. If I remember correctly, everything that it is not in the steering column controls will be in the center console that has yet to be designed. Gaining momentum!!

[dug224]

...the momentum continues. Bodywork 90% on dash. Went ahead and welded all the holes in the inner roof panel and tossed some filler in them. I'll move to the cab corners next since they are at chest level and would be easy to work.

[dsraven]

lookin good. feels nice to make headway and see progress after having it sit for awhile eh?

[Black_Sheep]

Your dash looks great, I did the same but left the holes to the left of the cluster for the headlight switch and wiper switch.

[dug224]

Originally Posted by Black_Sheep

Your dash looks great, I did the same but left the holes to the left of the cluster for the headlight switch and wiper switch.

Man, looks clean. I really like the two tone dash as well. I need to come up with a closure for my steering column like yours. Guess that'll come when I get assembly going. Thanks

[Kim57]

Your dash looks real nice.
Kim