Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

great lookin caddy !!!

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

I stumbled across the ad today. He's asking $9500.00 or best offer

http://jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=845449

http://jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=845449

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

Separated at birth?

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1386283405

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

there is a guy over on the hamb (aka hundreds angry men beyotching) that extended the bedside spear into the doors
similar to what the caddy has in the rear door, i thought it was unique and looked good

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

I've been warned never to show my truck to anyone or even think of visiting there while my truck is even anywhere near these rims it is wearing ;)

The door mod sounds cool though...

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

Good looking truck. I agree with the others about the wheels, I would also think about adding some color to the side spears and maybe a 2 tone for the cab top, also the same color for the grill. A light silver on all would look good. And find a way to eliminate the chains on the tail gate. Maybe a light gray on the interior would also be a good choice. Looks like a very good truck to start with. Good luck and keep us up to date on progress.
Rob

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

I never made that connection before, I wonder how close the trim under the Caddy spear would be to working for the FS bed???

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

Thanks Rob.
Once I got over the initial visual hit of how my truck looked when I bought it, I began looking at examples that reflect your thoughts about styling. I also started looking at 57 belairs for inspiration. I really started thinking in that direction but then I realized that it would be a second truck and not this one.

I think though if I went in that direction I would go for a fully restored truck in two tone, but then I remembered what attracted me to the truck in the first place. It was the monochrome paint (bumpers and everything). When I added the colour matched toneau cover it took me further in this direction and I love the look. I think what would really set it off though is adding the chrome trim to the spears. That would be a nod in your direction, and I think it would look fantastic against a sea of dark blue.

Now that I have discovered the similarity, I'm going to start looking to 57 caddys for inspiration and see what that turns up.
I'm going to stop looking at the vintage front of this truck and only look to the art-deco rear view for inspiration as in post 43 vs. the blue and white one I posted earlier.

Thanks for helping me realize that. Thinking your post through was helpful to me.

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

Ok, combining everyone input (and general distaste for the gangsta wheels), I've come up with this:

(whether I do it using painted steel wheels and spider caps as suggested, but with chrome hoops, OR whitewalls remains to be seen, but I like the direction)

Wish I had better picture editing skills

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

Another idea.

Keep the huge gangsta 22s. Chrome rims with hoops painted white (faux whitewall)
???

At least it gives an idea how whitewalls would change the look of the truck.

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

Or, stick with the chrome but in a more pleasing pattern and size
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1386073924

I've run out of skills on this one but the idea is blue centres and white hoops (or white walls)

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1386429155
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1386429897

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

more pleasing wheel style?

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

Just an idea,
I saw someone else on the forum use 70's chevy caps on stock steelies on their four eyed truck. It looked really slick.
Something like wide whites, white wheel, and everything black on the hubcaps, paint it the same blue as the truck.

Not to mention it's quite a bit cheaper. Around here in Chicago, people sell rims like those for $600-$800 all day long. Whereas you can probably get a nice set of steelies for $125.

But that's just my 2¢.

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

imo; chrome wheels on a classic pickup look silly, same with big wheels with rubber band tires.
imo; classic trucks look best with 15 or 16'' rims and lots of rubber. hub caps and/or beauty rings.
imo = in my opinion. don't anyone be offended by what my opinion is.
i see your photoshop abilities match my own :D

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/n...llowTrk-42.jpg

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

I am going to run these with beauty rings on mine. They are 68-72 16" 10.25" back diameter (come in 15" too, and 8 lug applications were 1" larger diameter). They are rarer than the next gen set mechanixman shows. Expect to pay $30-40 each individually or in sets for good ones. They are stainless. Make sure the back outside edge is not broken, they will not stay on if it is. They also came in a painted white steel version. The bowtie is painted yellow or blue depending on the year and vehicle it was on (trucks or blazers).

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

The good thing is that I asked for opinions so all are appreciated.

My own opinion pretty much agrees with what Ogre said, except when it is a fleet side. I that body style I no longer see a traditional classic truck. I see something different ... Outside the box.

Maybe that just means lowered with white walls half hidden on steelies, or something entirely different, I'm not sure what yet, but nicks suggestion might stop me from making an expensive mistake that a future owner wouldn't appreciate.

Still thinking... And perhaps beginning to be swayed


Thanks. I'll keep listening

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

vtx-black

bottom photo is ''ok'' but i still think a 5 spoke looks better

just my opinion is all.

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

Just my opinion, but those wheels really need to go. I always liked a good looking polished alum wheel, but after being on this site awhile, I'm kinda leaning toward steel rallys, police caps, with the trim rings that fit inside the wheel a little ways, don't know exactly what they're called. Orge, I liked the rubber band comment, that's a good one. When they started putting anything bigger than 15's on a 1/2 ton, things started going down hill. But that's just me, to each his own.

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

regarding the non traditional wheel styles, I wonder if people also rejected the non traditional fleet side box when it was introduced back in the day?;)


In any case, I think we all agree that those wheels need to go. As someone said, they dominate the truck, and that is not what I want. I think we agree on that.

Now regarding style, on a step side, and even more so on a series 1 round body truck, I think big sidewall balloon tires look just right. If I had one of those I would have steelies and whitewalls in an instant, but I feel that if I do it to my fleet side I would just be copping out for my personal taste. I think there is something better, but not sure what yet

This blue step side truck looks pretty perfect to me, but it is a rounder step side and the round sidewalls work so well with this body style, whereas to me the fleet side looks much more like a modern prototype of a throwback model (this black one might be pushing the envelop just a bit).

Balloon tires on a round body truck just integrated so well that they complete the package rather than competing with it.
The fleet side box already competes with the cab though in my opinion.

In any case its current wheels have to go.
I'm enjoying the discussion and appreciate everyone's views.

Of the trucks below, I think I need one of each ;)

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

P.S.

i am stating to collect information on 15 and 16 inch tire sizes so happy to hear your suggestions.

Wayne

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

i was never a fan of white walls, but the more i see them the moire i like them
not sure they'd look right on a yellow truck
my tires are 12 years old, i have a slow leak but no one will fix them due to the age (what a scam)
i may be in the market for new tires next spring, may have to look at white walls

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1386521159

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

I keep coming back to this advice.
..but modified a bit.

Some 17" modern steel GMC truck rims and some $5.00 ebay centre caps would simulate this pretty well and for not much money at all. With less sidewall bulge than a 15, but not rubber band like a 22, and flat profile rim to compliment the lines of the fleet side, rather than a curved spoke hotrod wheel such as the torquethrusters that I like on earlier more curvy trucks.

This could work out pretty well and straddle the two lines that the two pictures above depict. (Ogre, here is a yellow one for you).

All I need to know now is how wide (or narrow) should my tires be?

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

Now that I have explored that direction and have come up with something that ail work, I'm back to thinking about what I originally wanted to build, all Corvetted out with suspension and drive train.

I'm discouraged that insurance in Ontario is killing this dream of building a reliable daily driver.

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

Today I started thinking about selling my truck along with the Corvette :-(

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

vtx-black

excuse my ignorence sir ! but is the insurance that bad that you have to sell the truck?
is there no other direction you can take ?
is it that bad that your ''dream is destroyed ?
the truck is v v nice - dont know when you will come across another one like that with that much potencial
just imo i 'd hate to see you lose that project !!!

just my 02 centavos worth

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

Ontario introduced a stupid law when the fast and furious movie came out and street racers started killing people in Toronto. (I don't live in Toronto but the law is provincial).

Rather than rely on existing street racing laws, they passed one that said something to the affect that it is illegal to "modify a vehicle with non specific racing parts."

Non specific begin the operative phrase, leaving up to the officer to decide if your mirror dice are racing dice or not, depending on what you were doing, what his mood is that day, and how you treat him or her.

This conveniently happened to coincide with a period in time when insurance companies were taking a hit from bad investments and corporate profits were suffering. It gave them an opportunity to invent a new policy.

Today when you ask for insurance, the insurance companies in Ontario ask "is the vehicle modified?"

If you answer yes, then they quote the phrase. "It is illegal to modify vehicles in Ontario so we cannot insure that vehicle." Some even suggest that aftermarket mirrors or pin striping count.

They conveniently use this as a legal way to prune their customer lists down to the minivan driving market or something. It eliminates lots of teenage boys and other high risk drivers. Us grey haired drivers get caught in that net as well.

I may eventually find an insurance company that will insure it for regular use, but otherwise it is off to specialty insurance where either you are put into facility insurance with the drunks for about $5k per year, or collector car insurance that limits you to participating in shows.

This is the situation that has been on my mind for the last year as I have sat on this truck, flip flopping on three options of
1)keeping it completely stock,
2)modifying it the way I want,
3)or selling it off.

(A secondary issue is my concern that if I take an otherwise unmolested chassis and head off in a modified direction I may undermine its value unless I take it all the way to full on hotrod).

We need SEMA to step in.
Anyone reading this from Ontario should contact http://www.semasan.com/page.asp?cont...a_leg&g=semaga

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

That's the background Daze57

That is why I am on the fence.

When I opened this thread and got excited about the project again recently I had put it out of my mind for a while, but I need to deal with my concern or I'll be stuck forever.

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

BTW, here is what I was working on during that year thinking about what to do with my truck.

(I leased space in a buddies shop until it was all black and shiny.)

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

Unfortunately they are regulating the object not the behavior. Idaho was having similar issues in the 70's and early 80's. The rodders got together with the legislature and educated them showing that modified and home built did not equal poor quality or a danger to the public. They made the point that a lot of the improvements enhanced safety. What came out was a compromise. Replacement parts that bolt on are not a problem. Any rods built from scratch or that are heavily modified have to be inspected and passed before they can be licensed. Police could already order an inspection on any questionable vehicle they stopped.

Another point that was made was the economic value of the hotrodding movement and industry. People by things which generates sales tax. Vehicles are place in service which increases licensing revenue. Value added fees are generated from vanity license plates. Good will is fostered between the government and citizens. And the rodders made the point that if knuckleheads were building unsafe vehicles and driving them in unsafe manner they would be the first to support sanctions against the ones messing it up for everyone else.

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

vtx-black

whatever your decision is sir - best of luck !!
btw -uhhhhhhh nice porsche !!!!!!
( i still like the truck )

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

Thanks OrrieG

I have a mind to finish the truck anyway, and if I can't insure it for full use, then own it for a summer, have some fun and then get rid of it, but when I think about doing that I wonder how far upside down that would put me money wise compared to what it is worth now with the 6 and some steel rims.

DAZE57,
thanks, I didn't pay much for the car (abandoned project) but it was a lot of work to get that car to where it is. The truck will be a lot easier even if I take it all the way.

Most people including me find the truck more interesting at least at first glance because the truck is so unusual.

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

I've been thinking a lot about what direction to go since I put this thread on the back burner.

My current vision is inspired by the 57 caddy:
1) Thinking of steels with full caddy style hubcaps (to me the fleet side four headlight truck was inspired by a car so why not continue in that direction).

2) Thin whitewalls to bring it into the era that the fleet side box entered. I see fleet side as a the dividing line between fat whitewalls on a round bodied cars and trucks, and the later slab sided era.

thoughts?

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

The narrow stripe whitewalls didn't come on new cars until 1962. If a new 58/59 Fleetside had come with whitewalls they would have been about three inches wide.
Not trying to change your mind about what to do with your truck, just commenting.

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

I appreciate your comment, and you have confirmed that it is the right thing to do :-)

If I had a step side or earlier model, I'd say wide whitewalls.
but since I see the fleetside as a step towards the future, then the narrow white walls should move it there nicely without moving it decades ahead.

I browsed for 57 Caddy pictures and I'd estimate that over 70% of the pictures I found wore narrow whitewalls to go along with their smoothy hubcaps.

As a period hot rod (versus a restoration) it would be totally reasonable that a 3 year old truck would have received the latest in styling elements, and the release of narrow whitewalls would have been cool bak then I think.

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

I just found this picture

I guess the remaining question is, would a used truck have made a desirable hot rod back in the day, and if so do the wheels kill it or bring it to life?

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

That car doesn't exactly do it.

I have a vision in my head that I can't seem to get out.

I know what I don't want this truck to be. Otherwise I just would have purchased a 53 or a 63 (or probably a 69)

But this transition era of old style mixed with new style needs a special wheel look of its own.

I don't want deep offset muscle car wheels like I would put on a 69, nor do I want balloon tires that look so good on the early 50s series one.

Still thinking...

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

At a temporary measure, I picked up a used set of 1970s style 15" five slot (six bolt) mags.

These will allow me to try the stock steering with skinnier tires, as well as sell of the 22s while I make up my mind on the final direction.

I've always liked the 5 slots since they were the truck wheels to have back in high school, and my first car had them. It wasn't really the direction I wanted to head, but they work in my minds eye.

I won;t be able to try them on the truck until next week. I'm not sure how long I ail keep that look. If anyone has a picture of one of these wearing those wheels I'd love to see it.

Thanks

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

I know it will look better!

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

My father went to check this truck out for me down around Toronto around Feb 13 or so... Its pretty cool to see it on here, let alone right in Ottawa.

I don't necessarily agree with your taste/styling but too each their own, however I do understand kind of what you are going for. You want something to set it apart, something a bit more modern to go with the box that you find modern looking on the truck. One look I like on some trucks, and I think would suit this, would be a 16-17-18 chrome or polished silver spoke wheel with some narrow white walls. I just looked for some pics but couldnt come across some on a fleetside, but I think it might be closer to the identity you are trying to obtain. I think the chrome on that shiny rod looking truck might not be too bad, but those rims it came with belong on an escalade lol... if you are going for/with something not original, like lets say chrome or spokes, i think they need to have a hint of sportiness, not luxury...

I ended up picking up a 59 fleetside from california off ebay, had it shipped... turned out to be a mess and not at all as advertised in terms of mechanical and some body damage.. got it late summer/early fall, couldnt drive it, tore into it and been working on it hard all summer. Perhaps I will see you at some shows this summer. Mine is a 6, and took out the granny low floor 4 spd and put in a t5.... everything else is stock.

Elliot

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

Curious that you found my truck given that it hasn't been for sale or advertised. Good detective work.

I think your experience with your California truck is a good example of why I am flabbergasted by the low dollars people are willing to pay for good trucks when bad trucks can cost exponentially more in metal repairs etc.

The rims that are on it right now came with the truck when I bought it.

(maybe you looked at it when the previous owner had it?)
I jumped on it when I saw how solid it was. Rims are the easiest thing in the world to change on trucks, and if I paid two thousand more than someone thinks an old truck is worth, that to me is pretty cheap rust worm insurance.

All I had to do to make it drivable was add gas, so I was fortunate.
Putting some skinnier tires/rims on it will make it easy to drive

Post some pics of your truck so I can recognize it if we cross paths