I need some motivation

[Divine 59]

Haven't worked on this much since the economic downturn. Working full and part time to pay off debt. Will be able to devote more time to this in the spring.


I have the doors hung on it now. But they will have to come off to jamb and paint the inside. Most of the metal work is done except for this...

Both rear fenders need new metal. Then I can put my bed back together.....

[meter swinger]

Looks good man. Youll get there. A friend of mine has the one of the nicest 55 bel-airs ive ever seen. He sat on it for years but never gave up. Itll be worth it when you get it done. The build threads are a great motovators too.
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[mknittle]

Originally Posted by meter swinger

Looks good man. Youll get there. A friend of mine has the one of the nicest 55 bel-airs ive ever seen. He sat on it for years but never gave up. Itll be worth it when you get it done. The build threads are a great motovators too.
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I agree Look at some of the beautiful work some of the guys have done here.
some look like total junk when started. find some before and after pictures in the build threads and load them to my pictures, look at them from time to time
do the same with your truck.

[mknittle]

My down turn started 5 years ago next may, I was diagnosed with a brain cancer. the same summer I restarted on my 52 {after surgery}first thing was install a camaro front clip. this summer I built a steering column,dash/firewall brace swinging pedals,filled the tunnel in the dash and moved the hole for the steering column. the whole process so has cost about $50
Disability says I can work{true}But try to find a job labeled as epileptic. with the liability these days. We went from a combined income of 75000 to a stretch to afford all things.

moral of the story I am still gaining ground on my truck and teaching myself auto upholstery Hell it could be worse

[Dan in Pasadena]

GET OFF YOUR A$$, SLACKER!! How's that for motivation? lol.

Seriously, it seems you've made a LOT of progress to me. Just don't focus on the long term. Make a list of the things that have to be done just to get it running and break that down into a list of smaller jobs. Alternate one of the harder jobs with one of the easier or more enjoyable jobs. Then focus on just getting the next one planned, financed and completed. Soon you'll feel you're making headway.

[Kim57]

Looks like a nice truck.
We need more than just a couple of teaser pics though, tell us about it.
Kim

[Divine 59]

OK. I almost sold it before I started the restoration. I bought this truck in 1988 from my wife's Grandpa. He owned it from 1961 until I purchased it. It is a "basic" truck. It used to have the 3 on the tree. I found a correct 4 speed granny and made the switch with all the factory correct pieces. About the only option the truck originally came with was the standard heater and the factory AM radio (worked until the vibrator died) LOL.

The truck was taken off the frame and every piece was cleaned up. It was a southern truck, so the only rust was the cab corners and the typical spots at the fender supports along with the rear fender areas.

A local community college offered an auto body tech course. I called the instructor and told him what I wanted to do (work on my project and learn how to do body work). He said no problem. I took the course about three times and got to where it is now. During sand blasting I found some weak spots in the floor and took care of that. There is very little filler in it right now. When the front fenders were repaired I think there is about half a golf ball of filler spread over each one. Here are some other pictures.....




Right now I am in the middle of rewiring the entire truck. I am going to keep it stock appearing. But I will probably install a set of fenton cast iron headers to liven it up. The motor was recently rebuilt and should be "OK" unless it develops a problem from sitting. I am occassionally spraying the cylinder bores to keep the rings from sticking.

I keep it in the garage next to this......

[Kim57]

Sounds like a real nice truck. Good looking Olds also.
Kim

[Daze57]

great work on keepin grandpa's spirit goin - -good lookin truck

[dicer]

Just be happy its not a rust bucket like mine is. I'd replace the fenders. Its too much trouble fooling with em I think.

[mknittle]

nice olds