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

[Russell Ashley]

I love that truck. Put dual exhaust on that six with some good sounding mufflers and drive it.
If it were mine I'd ditch those wheels though. I'd rather see less wheel and more sidewall. Those wheels don't fit the "vibe" of the rest of the truck to me.

[dubie]

Originally Posted by VTX-Black

The truck has been lowered by simply removing all the front springs but one.
Other than that, the truck is bone stock. More bone stock than many that look restored.

I'm thinking someone must have replaced the stock leafs with a set of mono leafs. I don't think the truck would be drive able had someone used only 1 of the remaining factory leafs

The interior is a great starting point. A little upholstery and a carpet kit would make a HUGE difference in an awful hurry.

It looks like you've got yourself a great starting point for sure.

[VTX-Black]

Originally Posted by Katrina/10

Drive it till it rusts out?

Ya, …that plan changed as soon as I saw the truck.



This thing was an arizona truck up until just a couple of years ago. Apparently it was rescued from the desert at some point and was still drivable, and all original sheet metal under that paint. I only have the one pic of the underside but I shot a video and it is amazingly fresh. I'd say the truck was two years old if I didn't know any better.

As for the leaf, yes one stock leaf…and not really drivable in my opinion, although it can be driven. The steering is also ridiculously heavy with those wheels… but I have that vette for parts, and that car has a rebuilt motor and tranny. Plus, I am aware of the suspension kit for putting the vette suspension under the truck.

When I realized that other than the leaf, the truck is totally unmolested, this project began to confuse me so I have done nothing other than to add a cover to protect the box while I finalize my plans.

This leads me to the interactive part of this post. Let the ideas fly!
Any and all suggestions welcome.
The shifting is a bit vague, but the three on the tree is cool, but I'm not married to it.
The six doesn't burn oil and although I forget the mileage, it is not extremely high.


Here is the cover and the "how I built it" thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=606489

[mr48chev]

Originally Posted by Russell Ashley

I love that truck. Put dual exhaust on that six with some good sounding mufflers and drive it.
If it were mine I'd ditch those wheels though. I'd rather see less wheel and more sidewall. Those wheels don't fit the "vibe" of the rest of the truck to me.

I have to agree with Russel and some of the others, the garrish "Gangsta" wheels just don't work on that truck. I looked to see if someone like Coy made a clean looking spoke wheel in a 16 or 17 inch size six with a six lug pattern last night but couldn't find any good looking modern looking rims with that bolt pattern that would run a tire with some sidewall on it.

[VTX-Black]

Here is one idea I had. If I keep going in the hot rod direction these are pretty similar to the look of the ones on my race car that I might tow….but then there is also the corvette wheels that I already have on the parts car.

Not sure if they suit, or even if that is the direction to go.
Some have suggested putting it back to stock with vintage looking two tone paint scheme and abandoning the whole hot rod look.

I'm keeping this thread interactive so let the opinions fly!

[mr48chev]

Those would look a lot better. They wouldn't dominate the truck like the ones that are on it do either.

[dubie]

Personally, if it was me, I'd be putting a set of Posie super slider 3" lowering leaf springs all the way around, putting on a nice set of 15" painted steel wheels with wide white walls and spider caps, and rodding out the inline 6. You'll have a sweet looking, bullet proof daily driver classic pickup.
You could sell off those 22" wheels to pay for your suspension parts and sell off the Corvette to fund the rest of the build.

Just my opinion though

[Kim57]

If it were me I'd be putting everything from the vette on it and use the Cragar S/S wheels.
Kim

[poncho_villa]

Yeah! What Kim57 said!
I almost pulled the trigger on those same wheels but the smallest diameter is 18". I like more sidewall and smaller diameter wheel.

[Daze57]

i also agree with kim on usin the vette stuff
you have a v v nice truck - those wheels ( to me) dont make it ,
just imo a set of cragers or a set of American Racing cp -200;s would look a bit better
not knockin the wheels - it just dont look ,,,,,,,,,,,,right
vintage type of wheel would fit the bill .

just my 02 centavos worth

but a very nice truck sir.

[VTX-Black]

Good responses so far in each direction.

I think the wheels on it are interesting for a couple of reasons, but likely not reason enough to keep them.

Imagine it is 1958 (or 59)
You are a loyal GMC customer but still have not fully gotten used to the new series II. In your mind, it is too much of a departure from the series I but it is growing on you

…THEN, SUDDENLY you see this 4 headlight smooth boxed space ship from the future! Your head spins. The cab is somewhat ok, but that box! It is sensory overload and your image of what a truck should be has just been assaulted by the new Apache for that year. Real trucks have fenders.

Now fast forward to today. Lots of stepsides are being restored and shown. A few fleetsides, but they all meet your expectation of what a classic truck should be.

…THEN SUDDENLY you stumble across this truck.
Holy *%$ what is that? lets go see!

Its not just the truck or the paint or the wheels, it is the whole thing..
BUT, as you take it all in soon it is sensory overload and your image of what a truck should be has just been assaulted by these damned wheels…


But the truck is interesting.
I think I need to do something about these wheels…or else play it up to the extreme




A COUPLE OF SAMPLE OPTIONS

[VTX-Black]

Carry on with the opinions and suggestions.

Thanks
Wayne

[OrrieG]

Go to inliners.org, it will show you the possibilities for that ol' six.

[VTX-Black]

Regarding the wheels, they have to go regardless.

If I keep the 6 I'll keep the stock steering and I don't have enough muscles to steer them so will need smaller wheels anyway.

If I go with the corvette suspension the bolt pattern is different so I can't use those gangster wheels then either.

Here is another pic from a different angle

[VTX-Black]

Wow, it just became real obvious to me where they got the styling for the fleet side box.

This was a 1957 caddy

[Daze57]

great lookin caddy !!!

[VTX-Black]

Originally Posted by Daze57

great lookin caddy !!!

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

[VTX-Black]

Separated at birth?

[_Ogre]

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

[VTX-Black]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

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

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...

[47 Fasttoys]

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

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by VTX-Black

Separated at birth?

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

[VTX-Black]

Originally Posted by 47 Fasttoys

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

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.

[VTX-Black]

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

[VTX-Black]

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.