A '49 emerges into the light...

[mgbreis]

Thought I would post up a few pics of retrieving my "new" '49 last weekend. It belonged to the father of my co-worker, the gentleman turned 102 here recently and owned this truck since the 50's. It was last registered in '74 and has been parked in the open shed you can see in the pics. The guy I work with learned to drive in it! There's a '54 3100 5-window on the property that he'd like to sell also. I wanted them both but I'm drowning in old iron as it is.

I'm not sure what to do with it yet. It's very complete and original, still has solid factory wood in the bed. But, I'd like it lowered, IFS, v8, AC, etc. So I guess I still have to think about it awhile! I'll probably just get it driving as-is and let it percolate...

[mgbreis]

A couple pics of the '54. It was like picking a puppy, "which one, which one, which one???" Anyway, I've already learned a lot searching this forum, thanks in advance.

[mongocanfly]

those are a couple of sweet trucks...nice patina on both..I wouldve had to getem both...

[LCA1971]

PM sent

[lower50's]

Super nice and clean.

[gigamanx]

Certainly a lucky find! Definitely take your time on deciding what to do with it. I started off by just getting my truck running however in hindsight I kinda wish I saved my money until I knew what I was going to do with it and go from there. I would be inclined to sit down with the owner and get as much heritage from him as possible. Maybe he has some idea of what he'd like the truck to be in the future. Maybe he can add some stamp of history to it for you like an old gun rack his dad made or a cool shift knob accessory to really personalize it and to memorialize the life of that guy.

Looking forward to the build thread

[Daze57]

love stories like this !!..........both great lookin; trucks with a lot of potencial

[Daze57]

"which one, which one, which one???"

you can never have enough puppies

[mgbreis]

You make a good point Daze. On the other hand I have three running "old" cars and now I have three "projects", so I basically have the vehicle version of a puppy mill. You reach the point of diminishing returns! I'm planning to sell one of the running vehicles and two of the projects are long-term backburner deals. I'd like to get this truck running so we can putt around to the lumber yard, etc. with it, then maybe collect parts for the next stage.

I had a chance to go over it more closely last night. Each cab corner has a rust hole I can stick a finger through, and both kick panel areas also. So, nothing too bad but slightly worse than I thought. Not sure if the engine is stuck yet, as I want to soak the cylinders for awhile before I try moving anything. This weekend I plan to disassemble the brakes enough to determine if I can put kits in the wheel/master cylinders or if I need new. Also whether or not I need new metal lines. Probably remove the gas tank and see what's what.

First decision is whether to do a 12v conversion or leave as-is. I'm 35 miles from Speedway and they have anything I can't get locally.

[joedoh]

I would have picked the red one too, I find everything green it seems