WINNER, 55-59 Truck of the Month - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

DennyB · 10-29-2004, 07:28 PM

In a close race northerngmc is the TOTM!
Congratulations!

Before pic..

After pic..

Bio..

DennyB pm'ed me and asked for a Bio.

So here it goes.....

I was born in a small rural Alberta town......... oh you meant the truck!

The was purchased new in a small rural Alberta town, Wetaskiwin to be exact by a farmer. He also purchased a brand new GMC grain truck the same year. Fast forward to 1989 when I found it sitting a few blocks from my parents house. The truck had passed through two owners both hoping to fix it up prior to me purchasing it. I registered it back on the road as the second registered owner in the fall of 1989. Before putting it on the road I had to go over the mechanics of the truck and install new tires.

In 1995 my father and I pulled the engine out and took the head off. Realizing that it needed more than just a set of rings my brother spoke to the shop teacher at my high school shop, and he was more than happy to have the chance to rebuild a 235 I6. The high school students tore the engine apart, rebored it, rebuilt it, and reassembled it. I bought the parts and they did the labour. A great deal for both of us!

In 2002 I finally maded the decision to have the body painted, which turned into a frame off restoration. I did not want to paint the truck until I had found front signal lights, they are not reproduced and NOS are hard to find. I do not do body work so I found a hop that would. It started out as a simple paint job that got carried away. I was swapping cabs, so why not paint the frame. The frame was painted so why not repaint and detail the engine., etc, etc, etc........

The truck in a 1959 GMC 9314, which is a Canadian half ton short box stepside. Canadian GMC's have Chevrolet drivetrains, therefore it has a 235 I6, and 3 speed manaul transmission.

The truck is painted 2002 Chevrolet Truck light pewter. The box now has all stainless steel hardward, oak wood and still has tailgate chains, but the stake pockets were removed. The wheels are stock with 48-54 GMC hubcaps and the proper trim rings.

Inside it has an original seat that I found in a firetruck, the seat cover is still the original cover without any rips or tears. I have managed to find an original tach, AM radio and deluxe heater for the truck.

The truck was in Classic Trucks May 2004 Classic Cruisers and a feature article in the June 2004 Canadian Classic magazine.

***Liz*** · 10-29-2004, 07:33 PM

congrats

northerngmc · 11-08-2004, 01:55 PM

Thank you, nice to see that the votes can be counted here quite quickly, must not be from Ohio!

**Yukon Jack** · 11-09-2004, 05:57 PM

That's a beautiful truck!

75-K5 · 11-17-2004, 12:41 AM

Awesome truck! I liked the before pic better though. :p

northerngmc · 11-22-2004, 04:48 PM

I have to admit I really do miss the 'before' truck!

10-29-2004, 07:28 PM	#1
DennyB Led Sled! Discs R 4 ME! Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Toms River, NJ, USA (Transplanted Hoosier) Posts: 7,327	WINNER, 55-59 Truck of the Month In a close race northerngmc is the TOTM! Congratulations! Before pic.. After pic.. Bio.. DennyB pm'ed me and asked for a Bio. So here it goes..... I was born in a small rural Alberta town......... oh you meant the truck! The was purchased new in a small rural Alberta town, Wetaskiwin to be exact by a farmer. He also purchased a brand new GMC grain truck the same year. Fast forward to 1989 when I found it sitting a few blocks from my parents house. The truck had passed through two owners both hoping to fix it up prior to me purchasing it. I registered it back on the road as the second registered owner in the fall of 1989. Before putting it on the road I had to go over the mechanics of the truck and install new tires. In 1995 my father and I pulled the engine out and took the head off. Realizing that it needed more than just a set of rings my brother spoke to the shop teacher at my high school shop, and he was more than happy to have the chance to rebuild a 235 I6. The high school students tore the engine apart, rebored it, rebuilt it, and reassembled it. I bought the parts and they did the labour. A great deal for both of us! In 2002 I finally maded the decision to have the body painted, which turned into a frame off restoration. I did not want to paint the truck until I had found front signal lights, they are not reproduced and NOS are hard to find. I do not do body work so I found a hop that would. It started out as a simple paint job that got carried away. I was swapping cabs, so why not paint the frame. The frame was painted so why not repaint and detail the engine., etc, etc, etc........ The truck in a 1959 GMC 9314, which is a Canadian half ton short box stepside. Canadian GMC's have Chevrolet drivetrains, therefore it has a 235 I6, and 3 speed manaul transmission. The truck is painted 2002 Chevrolet Truck light pewter. The box now has all stainless steel hardward, oak wood and still has tailgate chains, but the stake pockets were removed. The wheels are stock with 48-54 GMC hubcaps and the proper trim rings. Inside it has an original seat that I found in a firetruck, the seat cover is still the original cover without any rips or tears. I have managed to find an original tach, AM radio and deluxe heater for the truck. The truck was in Classic Trucks May 2004 Classic Cruisers and a feature article in the June 2004 Canadian Classic magazine. Last edited by DennyB; 10-29-2004 at 07:41 PM.

11-08-2004, 01:55 PM	#3
northerngmc Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Whitehorse YK Canada Posts: 2,651	Thank you, nice to see that the votes can be counted here quite quickly, must not be from Ohio! __________________ Blaine 59 GMC 9314 a.k.a. Whoopee 68 C20 50th Anniversary a.k.a. The Rat http://www.flickr.com/photos/northerngmc/ http://www.members.tripod.com/P-wee/index_032.htm 1.61803 is one H of a lot better than 3.14159, no really it is!

11-09-2004, 05:57 PM	#4
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,684	That's a beautiful truck! __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

11-17-2004, 12:41 AM	#5
75-K5 Bucket of Bolts Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Anderson, Indiana Posts: 455	Awesome truck! I liked the before pic better though. :p __________________ This is the project that never ends, yes it goes on and on my friend....

11-22-2004, 04:48 PM	#6
northerngmc Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Whitehorse YK Canada Posts: 2,651	I have to admit I really do miss the 'before' truck! __________________ Blaine 59 GMC 9314 a.k.a. Whoopee 68 C20 50th Anniversary a.k.a. The Rat http://www.flickr.com/photos/northerngmc/ http://www.members.tripod.com/P-wee/index_032.htm 1.61803 is one H of a lot better than 3.14159, no really it is!

10-29-2004, 07:33 PM	#2
*Liz* Catchy title goes here.. Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Rockwell, NC Posts: 39,763	congrats



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