Marvin (1953 3100)

[torchlight]

Oh, I can't take any credit for the shop or the work. This is a local shop here in the Twin Cities that is doing the work on the truck - I don't have the time, knowledge, or expertise for anything close to what they are doing. But you are right, they are doing a really nice job!

[Ferrofil]

Looks really stunning! Nice clean sheetmetal-work and the rear suspension...work of art!
You have found the right place for your truck! Looking forward to more posts, give my regards to the guys in the shop, so they know people here in Sweden is watching!
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[T Hilde]

that bed looks better than mine, but I just took it up the @$$ on taxes when I transferred my truck.

[Root2812]

That truck is coming along great. I wish I could find some original running boards like that but I'll end up going aftermarket. So how much did that fancy seat run you? I plan on putting my electronics under the seat too so something like that would be perfect.

[oldman3]

Nice update, truck is looking good, nice work...Jim

[Russell Ashley]

Great build going on. That will be a super nice truck when it's done. From the pics and looking at the projects in the background it looks like that shop is top notch.

[LEEVON]

Wow, I have no idea how I lost track of Marvin, but it's been too long since I checked in. I absolutely love the work he is getting done. The quality is incredible. Can't wait for the next update.

[Coach529]

Me too!!

[STOCKISH]

Amazing work on this one! Love it!

[torchlight]

Hi everyone - sorry it has been so long since the last update on Marvin! Work has certainly continued, and progress is happening every day - slowly but surely. It is so exciting to see Marvin coming together! I've been super busy these last few months, so I kinda fell behind on the updates. Here's a bunch of pictures to catch up, though. These are from 4 or 5 different trips to the shop over the past few months. Please forgive the image quality on some of these - I only had my cell phone camera at times. On to the pics...



Starting to mockup more of the sheetmetal to check fitment. Marvin is starting to look like a truck again!


Made a final decision that most of the original sheetmetal from both Marvin and the bed I picked up in Michigan was too far gone to realistically save. It could be done, but it would be a huge amount of labor, and would have ended up mostly new metal patched in anyway. So, command decision to get a new repop bed from Bruce Horkey. Very high quality parts, looks like a fantastic match to original pieces.


Here you can see how the motor will sit in the engine bay. You can see that the inner fenders had to be cut for header clearance. The new openings will be finished off with appropriately shaped sheetmetal.


New radiator and electric fan shroud from US Radiator. It was here that we realized that the standard truck items on the front of the LS motor (water pump, alternator, pulleys, etc) were going to cause clearance issues with the radiator fan. So, I ordered a set of accessories meant for the Cadillac CTS-V version of the LS motor. Should bolt up to my block, and give a couple extra inches of clearance.


Pedal location mockup. Going to stick with pedals that go through the floor, rather than firewall mounted. Wanting to keep a lot of the "original" traits of the truck, and this is a good example.


Mounting the master cylinder and brake booster got a little tricky because traditional mounting inside the frame was going to cause clearance issues with the exhaust. The guys at the shop realized there was the perfect amount of room outside the frame, between the frame and the cab overhand. A fabbed linkage that runs through the frame puts the pedal in the correct location. In the first picture here, you can see the Wilwood hub and rotor have been installed, and you can see the master cylinder linkage through the frame at the very right of the picture.



Continued...

[torchlight]

A couple more pics of the master cylinder setup.






Exhaust fabrication in progress. I think the work that was done here from the headers all the way back is just beautiful. Looking towards the front:


And looking to the back:


I love these long Porter mufflers.


Getting the tail end of the exhaust figured out. Decided to flare out and run under the flame rails once past the rear end to create a nice big space for the gas tank to sit. Measurements have been taken for the tank, but it hasn't been built yet.


Continued...

[torchlight]

A little while later, more of the sheetmetal has been fitted. Decided the old grille couldn't be saved, so ended up with a nice shiny repop from Classic Heartbeat parts - seems to be very nice quality! You can also see Marvin has feet again - new wheels and tires! He's really starting to look like his old self again.


Another angle. Here, you can see the start of fitting the rear bumper. Or should I say, front bumper. We realized that Marvin's rear bumper wasn't really a rear bumper - it was a front bumper all this time! I like it, though - the way it wraps around a bit more, so I'm definitely keeping that look. Going to tuck the bumper in and up a little for a clean look. You can also see we installed a hidden latch and hinge setup for the tailgate. And you can see that the running boards I picked up in Texas haven't been sandblasted yet, but they fit great!


15 inch chrome steelies with baby moon caps from The Wheelsmith. 15x7 in front and 15x8 in back, I believe. Tires are BF Goodrich Radial T/A - P225/70r15 in front and P255/70r15 in back. About as meaty as could fit without rubbing or tubbing modifications, I believe. Really like the look of wider tires in the back, so I considered doing mini tubs but eventually decided against it. Trying to keep with the "stock old truck" look where I can.


Nice work here with lead smoothing the cab seam, and also a nice patch over the old gas filler hole.


That running board will need a couple dents pounded out. Front bumper valance had to be stolen for something else. Will order a repop one to replace it.


I really like this angle. I think the stance is looking perfect perfect perfect. Not too low for the "friendly old truck" look, but not too high either - still a little bit of attitude.


Might be hard to see in these two pictures, but some excellent work was done here making the gaps between the doors and the cab tight and uniform.





Continued...

[torchlight]

Some really cool stuff here. New brackets were fabbed to get the rear/front bumper exactly where I wanted it, and the original front bumper valance was used to make a cool filler piece between the tailgate and the bumper. I think it looks like it could have come from the Chevrolet factory that way. Also you can see the final placement of the exhaust - I wanted the tips just barely visible - only a slight hint that there's something different under there.


A little closer view of the same. You can see some end caps have been fabbed up for the rolled tops of the bed sides. Simple, but again look like Chevrolet might have designed them.


I got really excited when I saw this for the first time. My original running boards were too rough to save, but the guys at the shop used them to create this cool mini running board filler piece between the rear fender and the new rear bumper valance. They surprised me with this idea, and I think it looks stunning. They'll be building some bracketry underneath so that it could support the weight of someone actually stepping on it. You can also see where the new gas filler is going to be. That's actually the original gas filler hole that was cut out of the cab and moved back here. You can also kinda see the embossed bead detail running around the outer edge of the rear bumper valance.


Closer view of the same.


Here's a view of the front side of the valance, with the rear bumper off.


Here's a nice peek at the final exhaust routing under the bed. This almost makes me feel bad there's going to be wood covering all this up.


Here's how the exhaust comes all the way back, shoots out to go under the framerail, and ends in a simple downward tip. Also, the inner guts of the bumper valance.



Continued...

[torchlight]

And these last two pics are kinda silly, just to show how Marvin is starting to serve a dual purpose as a parts storage facility. Boxes can kinda start to pile up!






And that's all for this update. These pictures bring us current to late November, anyway. I'll definitely try to keep on top with more frequent updates. I really enjoy sharing with y'all, so thanks very much for checking in on Marvin from time to time! It is so rewarding and so much fun to watch him come together. It very much is the realization of a life long dream, and getting to watch it happen has been a true blessing. I can't give enough love, respect, and admiration to the guys at the shop for what they are doing and the way they are doing it. They are true craftsmen and artists, and they simply do outstanding work. It is hard to believe they've had Marvin at the shop for over a year already. Looking forward to posting future updates!

[solidaxel]

It will be even more enjoyable when you are driving "Marvin"
Are you going to have A/C?

[torchlight]

Originally Posted by solidaxel

It will be even more enjoyable when you are driving "Marvin"
Are you going to have A/C?

I definitely agree. Yes, going to get some individual parts from Vintage Air and try to "hide" it as much as possible. I already have a Sanden compressor and one of these brackets from Alan Grove that will locate the compressor down and out if view. Will run the lines into the cab through the inner fender to keep them hidden, and will tuck everything else up under the dash as best as possible. My big hangup right now is finding a set of A/C vents that I like. Most of the aftermarket stuff I'm finding looks a little too modern for my taste.

[solidaxel]

Does that low A/C bracket clear the frame?

[torchlight]

Originally Posted by solidaxel

Does that low A/C bracket clear the frame?

We think so, based on measurements. The alternator will be in a similar location on the other side of the crank pulley. After Christmas, they'll take the front sheet metal back off and install the new front drive accessories, do that will be the moment of truth, so to speak. Will definitely report back.

[Denee007]

Speechless! OMg! and I love your shop! I especially like the way you installed the master cylinder! (actually at first I thought you mounted it sideways, the realized the pic is sideways! doah!)
dne'

[alaska gasser]

Very nice truck. I would like to see a further back, overall picture of the rear bumper and fender areas if possible. Nice design.

[docrock]

this is a great project. Subscribed!!

[av8tr33337]

Man I really love that idea of the mini running boards between the rear fender and bumper. I assume that they are using a front bumper on the rear judging by the amount of curve?? I like it. And using the old gas filler hole.

[torchlight]

Originally Posted by alaska gasser

Very nice truck. I would like to see a further back, overall picture of the rear bumper and fender areas if possible. Nice design.

These are all the pics I have right now, but I'm visiting the shop again next Friday - I'll try to get that picture then.

Originally Posted by av8tr33337

Man I really love that idea of the mini running boards between the rear fender and bumper. I assume that they are using a front bumper on the rear judging by the amount of curve?? I like it. And using the old gas filler hole.

Yep, that's a front bumper. I think the extra curve really looks sharp and adds something extra to the look of the back end.

[torchlight]

Originally Posted by solidaxel

Does that low A/C bracket clear the frame?

No pictures yet, but I got a call from the shop this afternoon confirming that the CTS-V bracket setup does fit on the truck, but a couple small notches had to be placed in the frame for clearance on the A/C compressor and the alternator. I'll get some pics on Friday. Very glad to hear this news! Here's a stock picture of this bracket setup:

[vht]

That's going to be 1 nice truck. Was your headers a kit? Bought a 6.0 for mine and was wondering what to do about headers. Keep the info and pics coming!