Hi all! I'm thinking about a 55-57 chevy truck for a project. I'm hoping to see some cool pictures of your 55-57 trucks or pics of the same trucks that you like. The internet doesnt have 'cool' personalized trucks like I'm sure you people have or can come up with. Restored beautiful trucks are awesome, but I wont be going that route, I want it for a daily driver lowered custom that I can take to shows and meets. BTW, did they all come as step sides? I know the cameo bed was out there, but was it an option or just very rare? Also, how realistic of a project are these year trucks for a guy thats not exactly the richest man in town? I havent priced any fixer-uppers yet. Do they usually go for alot like the 55-57 chevy cars do? And how about parts? I'm sure there are people specializing in these years of trucks, but I'm curious to know what you people know already. Thanks a lot and I'm looking forward to seeing some cool truck pics! (also, interior, engine bay and under carriage shots would be great!)
[ QUOTE ] Also, how realistic of a project are these year trucks for a guy thats not exactly the richest man in town? [/ QUOTE ] I just bought a '58 Chevy truck and I have not had a job for six years.... I got mine fairly cheap, but its kinda rough. These trucks are SIMPLE through and through. Parts are out there also. There seems to be a BIG aftermarket following for these things... You can go to my Starphoto site to see my monster. I got some under hood shots and interior shots there. Here is the link: '58 Chevy Click HERE. Also, from what I understand, 55-59 all share the same cab and basic design. In order to turn mine into a '57, I think all I would have to do is get a new front clip.....but I LIKE the look of the '58. Quad headlights RULE. Here is a nice pic of a cool truck (NOT MINE).
Also Monster, Here are some links to some good info.... This first link is to a place to get reproduction body parts. You can literally replicate the entire truck in fibergl***...(gasp). I plan on someday getting a race weight tilt front end for mine here. Some people might say that gl*** ****s, but I don't care. RACE WEIGHT rocks! The front of my Fairlane is gl*** and every time I tell somebody they always say "Hell Yeah". Must be a redneck mullet thing.... Anyhow, for lotsa fibergl*** go here and look under 55-59 trucks: U.S.BODY...LOTS 'GL*** click here. For more info than you can handle click on this next link. Its the Stovebolt message board and it ROCKS! Lots of tech and links to all the info you will ever need on the subject. STOVEBOLT MESSAGE BOARD click here. Have fun. and yeah, Lets see some pics of Kustomized 55-59 Chevies! ! ! ! Later, JT.
Here's another. Good places for parts are Harmon's, LMC Trucks and Golden State Pickup Parts. Chevy Duty tried stroking me $15 for a 'free' catalog, so they got no business.
man you guys are keeping me busy already with all these cool sites! Awesome looking trucks too! Which years had the huge back window, (from B piller to B piller) and which had the smaller back window?
Rob, you should go down to Dan's Cl***ic in Portland. He has about everything you would need for one of those trucks, a trip down there would tell you what to expect money-wise. I haven't been there in a looooong time, but it seems like he was pretty reasonable. I know where theres a 55 (I think), box is off it, looks like no engine, but it's probably really cheap........
Yea Scott, its funny, a buddy of mine and I went driving down there to Dans, and we couldnt find it. I havent been there in years either, should of checked the address before I left! hahaha! Man we need to get together and get that pizza, call me or something. Maybe we can make a trip to Dans on a weekend and take a look at that truck?
I've posted a photo of my '59 apache if you want to search for it. I'm getting ready to lower mine very soon. The plan is reversing the eyes on the rear leaves and then fine tuning the height removing a leaf or two. Up front I'm going to see how low I can get it from dropping the axle and after that I can get another 2-3" removing a leaf or two. Everyone will tell you to buy the mono leaf suspension but like myself you probably don't have $200/leaf to spend ($800 yikes). Decent article: http://www.cl***ictrucksweb.com/tech/0306CLstraight**lebb/ www.carnut.com has a few photos and.. Do some window shopping at: http://www.chevyduty.com/frame-store.html http://www.cl***icperform.com/ http://www.brothersonlinestore.com/store_ie.asp http://www.americancl***ic.com/ My favorite '55 pic j
This attractive '56 stepside belongs to a friend of RickyRacer1962.. Doesn't get much better than this...
If you're looking to buy one, check for rust at the rear cab corners and the front fenders behind the wheel. Those almost always need work. The steps under the doors too. 55 and 56 are hard to tell apart. 57 has a different grill and 2 ridges on the hood. The small back window shortbox is the one everyone wants and commands a higher price than the long bed, big window. Engine bays are large enough to swallow anything you want to put in there. Stepside tailgates clear up to the 80's will fit and look the same. Boxes too if you're after something custom. Some of the later beds look pretty good with the 50's cab and they bolt right on. Fenders can be swapped on the stepsides for a different look and the box from any stepside can be used with the right length frame.
Here's one from the Jetter boys...'57 kustom...BTW, it's for sale rite now...PM me if you are interested. R-
[ QUOTE ] If you're looking to buy one, check for rust at the rear cab corners and the front fenders behind the wheel. Those almost always need work. The steps under the doors too. [/ QUOTE ] Yes they are almost always rusted and there are patch panels made to repair them, so don't let that aone make you p*** on a deal. Just watch to see if the rust has eaten away far enough to take out the bottom door hinge area. Patches are available for that too but way more work.
hey these are all great ideas and things to look for! I had no idea now many years fit for beds and tailgates, thats cool! and 40, that truck looks well put together and in very nice shape, but im sure its way more than i can afford right now. Thanks for the heads up tho! Im just looking for a project right now. saw this pic online, its sold, and dont know how much for. But its complete, even has the inline. Id be looking for something along these lines to get started.
edmurder, that truck is sweet as hell. I think i like the big window and long bed combo the best. I like long beds on lowered trucks. basically the longer the car, the lower it looks when lowered. keep the pics coming!
55-47 are great looking trucks with lots of reproduction parts available. A good friend is building one right now. Here is a pic of his dash
Yeah, Rob, I been meaning to get ahold of you. We'll hook up real soon. I'll do a drive by on that truck for ya....
my first "car" when i got my licence was a 57 half ton, i drove the piss out of it(235, 3 on the tree) fastest six banger in brooksville fla. about ten years ago i traded a 65 el camino for a project chopped top 57 shortbed with a 58 olds drive train. sorry i can't post any pics.
This is just a idea, so take it for what it's worth. I will say I'm the king of ****. I'm so cheap that I will buy four different cars and part them out after I have taken what I need to build what I want. In your case, I saw a '58 1 ton big window with no motor and a flat bed in the local poop paper for $600 o.b.o.(in my area). you can buy something like that and sell the flatbed to get most of your cash back. Then look for a newer Chevy ('73 to '77) two wheel drive, rust bucket and buy that for your ch***is. Then you get disks and power steering and who knows, maybe a good motor and ****** too. If you keep your eyes open, you can get all the parts you need and have the truck you want for under 1k. I had a '74 plymouth scamp with a 440 and a 727 trans that I build for just under $500 (it took me four cars), but it had nice interior, it was strait, and after all my friends sat around and drank my beer while calling me a idiot for doing what I did, EVERYONE of them wanted to drive it when it was done.....go figure.
I love this body style. I just bought a '57 with a camaro front clip, rear, column, and 350. The truck is straight and rust free, and I only paid $1900.00 for it. I realize i got a killer deal, but it does prove that if you're in the right place at the right time you can still get a good deal. Some other examples of these trucks that I have seen usually go for fairly reasonable prices. As far as aftermarket goes there are numerous companys that make about any part you might need. Happy hunting, and good luck.
Sold this 1955 Cameo over 25 years ago.......the sad thing is the guy who bought it put it in his ba*****t......and has not touched it since..... .
Deuce Roadster, So did he do a frame off or does he have some crazy 'garage ba*****t'. never heard of storing a car or truck in your ba*****t before. maybe theyre bigger over near you. Talk about a shame and waste of a vehicle, theres a 1950(?) Buick, baby blue and white, all restored, in a gl*** walled 'room' in the middle of a retirement home, outside in the courtyard. So that the old folks can look at it and remember the good old days. just sittin in there. Ill have to take a pic of it sometime. Anyways, I thought Id be seeing more trucks with this thread, like other picture post request threads. Is it possible that not that many people fix em up or customize them or even own them on the HAMB?
Hey Scott, let me know the scoop on that 55 with no box. Maybe we can go over there together and talk with the guy and see what he has. Maybe the box is behind the garage! never know!
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