1951 GMC Bookmobile - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Flame Broiled · 11-21-2011, 06:09 PM

Hello everyone

Thought that I would share a metal working and metal shaping project that we are building. Its a 1951 GMC Bookmobile that was from Atchison County, Rock Port, Missouri. In 2000 I found this beast on ebay, it was the first thing I had ever bought off there. I had it shipped up to Vancouver BC, Canada, where it sat for several years while I dreamed up what to do the big girl. After several cold pops and bs sesions a master plan was devised.

So this is what I started with.

As you can see it has little patina, Intially I thought that I could repair what I had...... oh boy!! the further I looked the worse it got. The original 6cyl was stuck and full of water. Good thing cus that little motor was not going to keep up with highway speeds. As I stripped the Interior I exposed the wood structure and that was rotten from end to end.

So a new plan had to be devised!!!

As browsing the interweb I found a wrecking yard in Michigan that had a chassis that would work perfect for what I wanted to build.
The had a brand new workhorse chassis that was destined for a shuttle bus, with a "Front Wheel" drive Duramax Allison combo.....just perfect.

Had the frame shipped up and cut it all up to my specifications, shortend 6' off the back, shortened the wheel base 4' and removed everything else that was in my way.

So with chassis cut down to size I had a rendering done of what I would like to see it look like.

Now the process of tearing it down, We squeesed it in the shop and started cutting, the hoist is going to have to come down to get it back out.

We placed the Front section that was left over from the original body, over the chassis. Its way narrower than what the wheel base is on the chassis. The front end is going to have to grow 25%, well every thing on this beast is growing by 25%

We thought it would make more sense to work back to front. So up went the jail cell.

After getting the back section all tacked together, we moved on to the front section. First we removed some of the lead to expose the seams.
We are going to do a bit better than this I hope.

Taking off the 60 year old running lights it became clear that I had made the right choice to go down this path.

Sema Approved stamped on the light, Awesome!! The world best car show is where its headed then....

**chevy_man5** · 11-21-2011, 06:15 PM

Very cool project!!! Looks like you are getting after it!

Kabwe · 11-21-2011, 06:32 PM

Thats insane.lol Cool is not the word its an understatement.

70-Shorty · 11-21-2011, 07:52 PM

wow, i mean WOW! What an undertaking! Gonna look killer when u get it done. I had a (sort of) similar aborted build with a 51 Ford (oh NO!) Bread Van. I wanted to do it up with a leather couch in the back and make a living room vibe in the back....sold it when i realized i had wayyy to many projects. Yours is going to be roomy as hell in the back!
Tim

OKGMC4 · 11-21-2011, 08:07 PM

This is going to be VERY cool when completed. I like the one you have sitting beside it as well.

OrrieG · 11-21-2011, 08:16 PM

Wow what an undertaking, but it will be cool. Bookmobile is a project I could get my wife to support too!

hotrodrookie · 11-21-2011, 09:01 PM

Reading never looked so cool.

70-Shorty · 11-21-2011, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OKGMC4

This is going to be VERY cool when completed. I like the one you have sitting beside it as well.

is the one next to it an old Metro?
Tim

drivea55 · 11-21-2011, 09:50 PM

wow!

now this is sweet!

cleanshaven84 · 11-21-2011, 11:30 PM

Definitely going to keep an eye on this one. This is as awesome build.

xpickup · 11-22-2011, 07:47 AM

Flame Broiled, Great build. Nice job on the frame and the cage. Can not wait for all the sheet metal to be on. I love the totally different builds with lots of fab work.

Shannon

**JML55** · 11-22-2011, 09:35 AM

Great work guys, thats going to be a amasaing ride .

**youngrodder** · 11-22-2011, 11:13 AM

Reading is fundametal!!

That project makes my back hurt just looking at it. You guys are doing a fantastic job.

Marc

AUSSIE54 · 11-23-2011, 07:25 AM

Bookin' hell!! That's Vantastic!!!!
Posted via Mobile Device

Flame Broiled · 11-23-2011, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70-Shorty

is the one next to it an old Metro?
Tim

Hi Guys, thanks alot. We have a ton of work to do still, we will keep posting as we go.

The little one next to it is a 1950 Morris J Van. Another huge project that we are doing for a customer.

Aaron
www.eyekandykustoms.com

**G&R's57GMC** · 11-23-2011, 04:06 PM

How COOOoooLLLL !!! Can't wait for the next installment.

Southcity · 11-23-2011, 10:57 PM

Subscribing

Russell Ashley · 11-23-2011, 11:11 PM

That's awsome!!! Keep the pics coming.

You must have a fortune tied up in shipping charges.

Coupeguy2001 · 11-25-2011, 09:18 PM

What? that's it? you guys have to keep working............I need pics of that thing.
Too cool!!!!!!

Flame Broiled · 11-25-2011, 10:02 PM

Sorry guys, busy week.
Stay tuned..... I have been reconstucting the Left front side... Pics to follow.
This is one of the other vehicles that are taking up my time

http://victoriajvan.blogspot.com/

Aaron

53GMC · 11-28-2011, 01:49 PM

love this build cant wait to see it done!

Rods57 · 11-28-2011, 09:50 PM

this is a cool project. hey in the rafters is that a tempest?

docrock · 11-29-2011, 12:35 AM

wow very cool project

jbclassix · 11-29-2011, 02:35 AM

all I can say is WOW

Flame Broiled · 01-16-2012, 12:25 PM

It became evident that all the wood would have to be replaced, and made 25% larger. So I started making the Front windshield header and A pillar structures.

Since I figured that nothing on the original body would work, we moved the left overs into the belly of the beast for reference. Getting the Imaginary pieces to be in the right proportions and proper locations is tough.
This is where I wish that I was a little bit taller with longer arms. Shes big and awkward, I need a ladder to reach everything. And since I do my best work once everyone has gone home for the day, its been a bit harder.

Note to self: Do not stand or hold onto any bars that are only tack welded or clamped together. Took the first spill the other night, thankfully no one was here to see my fat ass clinging on for dear life!! No Injuries so far.......

Here you can see that the fenders are going to need ....... Replacing!!

11-21-2011, 06:09 PM	#1
Flame Broiled Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Delta BC Posts: 68	1951 GMC Bookmobile Hello everyone Thought that I would share a metal working and metal shaping project that we are building. Its a 1951 GMC Bookmobile that was from Atchison County, Rock Port, Missouri. In 2000 I found this beast on ebay, it was the first thing I had ever bought off there. I had it shipped up to Vancouver BC, Canada, where it sat for several years while I dreamed up what to do the big girl. After several cold pops and bs sesions a master plan was devised. So this is what I started with. As you can see it has little patina, Intially I thought that I could repair what I had...... oh boy!! the further I looked the worse it got. The original 6cyl was stuck and full of water. Good thing cus that little motor was not going to keep up with highway speeds. As I stripped the Interior I exposed the wood structure and that was rotten from end to end. So a new plan had to be devised!!! As browsing the interweb I found a wrecking yard in Michigan that had a chassis that would work perfect for what I wanted to build. The had a brand new workhorse chassis that was destined for a shuttle bus, with a "Front Wheel" drive Duramax Allison combo.....just perfect. Had the frame shipped up and cut it all up to my specifications, shortend 6' off the back, shortened the wheel base 4' and removed everything else that was in my way. So with chassis cut down to size I had a rendering done of what I would like to see it look like. Now the process of tearing it down, We squeesed it in the shop and started cutting, the hoist is going to have to come down to get it back out. We placed the Front section that was left over from the original body, over the chassis. Its way narrower than what the wheel base is on the chassis. The front end is going to have to grow 25%, well every thing on this beast is growing by 25% We thought it would make more sense to work back to front. So up went the jail cell. After getting the back section all tacked together, we moved on to the front section. First we removed some of the lead to expose the seams. We are going to do a bit better than this I hope. Taking off the 60 year old running lights it became clear that I had made the right choice to go down this path. Sema Approved stamped on the light, Awesome!! The world best car show is where its headed then....

11-21-2011, 06:15 PM	#2
chevy_man5 GMC's n H.D.'s too! Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Nampa, Idaho Posts: 1,583	Re: 1951 GMC Bookmobile Very cool project!!! Looks like you are getting after it! __________________ Jason 1960 GMC 4x4 Babe (the Blue Ox) - Build Thread

11-21-2011, 06:32 PM	#3
Kabwe Certified Car Nut Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inglewood, California Posts: 3,118	Re: 1951 GMC Bookmobile Thats insane.lol Cool is not the word its an understatement. Last edited by Kabwe; 11-21-2011 at 08:30 PM.

11-21-2011, 07:52 PM	#4
70-Shorty Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ontario CA Posts: 317	Re: 1951 GMC Bookmobile wow, i mean WOW! What an undertaking! Gonna look killer when u get it done. I had a (sort of) similar aborted build with a 51 Ford (oh NO!) Bread Van. I wanted to do it up with a leather couch in the back and make a living room vibe in the back....sold it when i realized i had wayyy to many projects. Yours is going to be roomy as hell in the back! Tim __________________ Ontario CA•70 Chevy Shortbed Fleetside C-10 71 Chevy Longbed Fleetside C-20 (sold ) 63 Chevy II Nova SS 02 Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson supercharged 5.4 2000 Harley Roadking Hot Bike Baggers Mag Shoot http://s263.photobucket.com/albums/i...oot/?start=all some truck lettering & flame jobs http://www.flickr.com/photos/4950319...7602894916215/

11-21-2011, 08:07 PM	#5
OKGMC4 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Broken Arrow, OK Posts: 1,220	Re: 1951 GMC Bookmobile This is going to be VERY cool when completed. I like the one you have sitting beside it as well. __________________ 56 GMC BUILD THREAD: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=368649 69 long bed Chevy turned 67 gmc jimmy roadster: https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=851167

11-21-2011, 08:16 PM	#6
OrrieG Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 8,800	Re: 1951 GMC Bookmobile Wow what an undertaking, but it will be cool. Bookmobile is a project I could get my wife to support too! __________________ 1959 Chevy Short Fleetside w/ 74 4WD drive train (current project) OrrieG Build Thread 1964 Chevelle Malibu w/ 355-350TH (daily driver) Helpful AD and TF Manual Site Old Car Manual Project

11-21-2011, 09:01 PM	#7
hotrodrookie Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Sacramento Posts: 425	Re: 1951 GMC Bookmobile Reading never looked so cool.

11-21-2011, 09:50 PM	#9
drivea55 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Monson,MA Posts: 503	Re: 1951 GMC Bookmobile wow! now this is sweet! __________________ current project; 1950 GMC "Junk Yard Dawg" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=635960 ___________________________________________ SOLD to "ONEBADFIVEFIVE" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=436406

11-21-2011, 11:30 PM	#10
cleanshaven84 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Conway, Ar Posts: 153	Re: 1951 GMC Bookmobile Definitely going to keep an eye on this one. This is as awesome build. __________________ 1949 GMC Pickup Project "No Time '49" Currently working on S-10 chassis swap. *Philippians 4:13 - "I can do all things through him who strengthens me."*

11-22-2011, 07:47 AM	#11
xpickup Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: York, Pa. Posts: 1,386	Re: 1951 GMC Bookmobile Flame Broiled, Great build. Nice job on the frame and the cage. Can not wait for all the sheet metal to be on. I love the totally different builds with lots of fab work. Shannon

11-22-2011, 09:35 AM	#12
JML55 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Fannystelle, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 849	Re: 1951 GMC Bookmobile Great work guys, thats going to be a amasaing ride . __________________ Jean-Marc Lacasse 57 GMC 55 GMC 55 Belair 99 S10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=316140 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=806011

11-22-2011, 11:13 AM	#13
youngrodder Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Scotts, Michigan Posts: 3,756	Re: 1951 GMC Bookmobile Reading is fundametal!! That project makes my back hurt just looking at it. You guys are doing a fantastic job. Marc __________________ …………...........__________ .................. ((__\|__\|\|___\____ ..;.;;.:;:;.,;..;((_(O))____ (_(O)) 1948 Chevy Truck - Finished SOLD!! 1953 Chevy Suburban "Family Truckster" Completed: Spring of 2021 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=605484 1994 4x4 Blazer - "Field Find" https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...ferrerid=30857

11-23-2011, 07:25 AM	#14
AUSSIE54 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Bendigo, Victoria, Australia. Posts: 164	Re: 1951 GMC Bookmobile Bookin' hell!! That's Vantastic!!!! Posted via Mobile Device

11-23-2011, 04:06 PM	#16
G&R's57GMC Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Shasta Lake, CA. Posts: 1,619	Re: 1951 GMC Bookmobile How COOOoooLLLL !!! Can't wait for the next installment.

11-23-2011, 10:57 PM	#17
Southcity Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Redwood City, CA Posts: 1,174	Re: 1951 GMC Bookmobile Subscribing __________________ 66 GMC Suburban Custom 66 Chevy K10 Suburban



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11-23-2011, 11:11 PM	#18
Russell Ashley Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lawrenceville, Ga Posts: 2,640	Re: 1951 GMC Bookmobile That's awsome!!! Keep the pics coming. You must have a fortune tied up in shipping charges.

11-25-2011, 09:18 PM	#19
Coupeguy2001 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: phoenix az Posts: 723	Re: 1951 GMC Bookmobile What? that's it? you guys have to keep working............I need pics of that thing. Too cool!!!!!!

11-25-2011, 10:02 PM	#20
Flame Broiled Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Delta BC Posts: 68	Re: 1951 GMC Bookmobile Sorry guys, busy week. Stay tuned..... I have been reconstucting the Left front side... Pics to follow. This is one of the other vehicles that are taking up my time http://victoriajvan.blogspot.com/ Aaron

11-28-2011, 01:49 PM	#21
53GMC Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Washington, GA Posts: 319	Re: 1951 GMC Bookmobile love this build cant wait to see it done! __________________ 1953 GMC/S 10 Swap http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=357365

11-28-2011, 09:50 PM	#22
Rods57 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 610	Re: 1951 GMC Bookmobile this is a cool project. hey in the rafters is that a tempest? __________________ My 57 Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=471289

11-29-2011, 12:35 AM	#23
docrock Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Encinitas, CA Posts: 507	Re: 1951 GMC Bookmobile wow very cool project __________________ 1954 GMC on 93 Silverado chassis http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=408344 1942 Chevy 1/2 ton Pickup http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=429494 R.I.P. TOM SEFFRON 68 FOUR DOOR http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=495438 1942 Chevy that ate my brain 70 Chassis https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=835250

11-29-2011, 02:35 AM	#24
jbclassix Junk Yartist Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Greeley, CO Posts: 2,203	Re: 1951 GMC Bookmobile all I can say is WOW __________________ -Jeremy YOU ONLY FAIL IF YOU STOP TRYING 70 Crew Cab Build Link 70 GMC Suburban 4X4 build thread 95 Yukon Daily Driver Rebuilding an NP205

01-16-2012, 12:25 PM	#25
Flame Broiled Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Delta BC Posts: 68	Re: 1951 GMC Bookmobile It became evident that all the wood would have to be replaced, and made 25% larger. So I started making the Front windshield header and A pillar structures. Since I figured that nothing on the original body would work, we moved the left overs into the belly of the beast for reference. Getting the Imaginary pieces to be in the right proportions and proper locations is tough. This is where I wish that I was a little bit taller with longer arms. Shes big and awkward, I need a ladder to reach everything. And since I do my best work once everyone has gone home for the day, its been a bit harder. Note to self: Do not stand or hold onto any bars that are only tack welded or clamped together. Took the first spill the other night, thankfully no one was here to see my fat ass clinging on for dear life!! No Injuries so far....... Here you can see that the fenders are going to need ....... Replacing!!

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