Lulubelle awakens - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Riverstory** · 09-03-2020, 10:33 PM

This chapter in our lives began in earnest in March of this year. The search criteria began: a 'cute' panel truck, the year of the truck TBD, the condition unknown, a restomod or an original beauty seeking redemption. The search radius was limited to 500 miles and we used every bit of that.

So, after multiple attempts, we found our newest family addition, a 1966 short panel located in Southern California. With trailer in tow, we made a dash and on July 2nd, Lulubelle entered our lives.

Work on her began a few days after our return to the Arizona desert - July 7 was a cool 116 degrees so into the garage she went.

Decisions to keep her original was obvious. She was completely stock with the exception of the wheels, not too beat up, a little rust in the rockers and one fender, but all in all not too bad for a 54 year old lady. She had been in the POs family for 50 of those years, the last 10 were not kind.

Now . . . the fun begins!!!

Sevens · 09-03-2020, 11:52 PM

Nice truck!

Please post pics of the interior too!!

Grizz1963 · 09-04-2020, 08:11 AM

LOVE A SHORTY.

Would have one too, but they are non existent in England, we know of one here.

Is that a real town?

Havabrew?

Welcome to an awesome site.

**cwcarpenter98** · 09-04-2020, 09:53 AM

Welcome! Looks like a really clean start to a fun project!

**pdxhall** · 09-04-2020, 03:04 PM

Welcome to a fellow Arizonan. This looks like a fun one alright. I'll be following your progress.

**Riverstory** · 09-04-2020, 10:58 PM

The belle was put into the garage July 7, the disassembly began. My guess is the PO had no intent on stopping valve cover gasket leaks - there was probably 4 qts of caked-on oil all over the engine, bell and trans.

Fortunately, she came apart easily. Southern California weather certainly helped.

Then I discovered something cool, really cool.

A 283 w/manual 3 speed - drumroll please - an overdrive. At the time, I knew it was cool but now I realize what it means for highway cruzin!

Unfortunately, I didn't take interior pics as I should have before the disassembly. 2 buckets, deluxe heater, steering wheel all hacked up. And all painted black with a rattle can.

**Corts60** · 09-08-2020, 08:13 PM

Welcome! Beautiful rig!

Besides keeping original, what are your plans?

**Riverstory** · 09-13-2020, 11:49 AM

Thanks for the nice words. This panel, when completed, with be turned into a delivery truck.

09-03-2020, 10:33 PM	#1
Riverstory Registered User Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Lake Havasu City AZ Posts: 142	Lulubelle awakens This chapter in our lives began in earnest in March of this year. The search criteria began: a 'cute' panel truck, the year of the truck TBD, the condition unknown, a restomod or an original beauty seeking redemption. The search radius was limited to 500 miles and we used every bit of that. So, after multiple attempts, we found our newest family addition, a 1966 short panel located in Southern California. With trailer in tow, we made a dash and on July 2nd, Lulubelle entered our lives. Work on her began a few days after our return to the Arizona desert - July 7 was a cool 116 degrees so into the garage she went. Decisions to keep her original was obvious. She was completely stock with the exception of the wheels, not too beat up, a little rust in the rockers and one fender, but all in all not too bad for a 54 year old lady. She had been in the POs family for 50 of those years, the last 10 were not kind. Now . . . the fun begins!!! Attached Images

09-03-2020, 11:52 PM	#2
Sevens Registered User Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 99	Re: Lulubelle awakens Nice truck! Please post pics of the interior too!! __________________ -Tim '65 GMC that identifies as a Chevrolet

09-04-2020, 08:11 AM	#3
Grizz1963 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Rochester, KENT Posts: 10,572	Re: Lulubelle awakens LOVE A SHORTY. Would have one too, but they are non existent in England, we know of one here. Is that a real town? Havabrew? Welcome to an awesome site. __________________ MY BUILD LINK: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...585901]Redneck Express - 1966 C10 Short Fleetside MY USA ROADTRIPS http://forum.retro-rides.org/thread/...2018-humdinger IF YOU CAN'T FIX IT WITH A HAMMER, YOU'VE GOT AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM MATE. Last edited by Grizz1963; 09-04-2020 at 10:14 AM.

09-04-2020, 09:53 AM	#4
cwcarpenter98 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Hickory Flat, GA Posts: 4,488	Re: Lulubelle awakens Welcome! Looks like a really clean start to a fun project! __________________ Christian Carpenter 1963 C10 - Frankentruck 283, Muncie 3 speed with overdrive Overdrive wiring here 1963-ish truck bed trailer - Half-Wit 1981 C10 - Penny 305, th350 --> Soon to be 350, Saginaw 4 speed 1995 Dodge Dakota Sport "I'll put it simple: if you're going hard enough left, you'll find yourself turning right." - Doc Hudson

09-04-2020, 03:04 PM	#5
pdxhall Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Tucson, Arizona Posts: 2,084	Re: Lulubelle awakens Welcome to a fellow Arizonan. This looks like a fun one alright. I'll be following your progress. __________________ Sanity'66 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=515110 Long bed, Fleetside, Small back window I've Done So Much, With So Little, For So Long, That Now I Can Do Anything With Nothing.

09-04-2020, 10:58 PM	#6
Riverstory Registered User Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Lake Havasu City AZ Posts: 142	Re: Lulubelle awakens The belle was put into the garage July 7, the disassembly began. My guess is the PO had no intent on stopping valve cover gasket leaks - there was probably 4 qts of caked-on oil all over the engine, bell and trans. Fortunately, she came apart easily. Southern California weather certainly helped. Then I discovered something cool, really cool. A 283 w/manual 3 speed - drumroll please - an overdrive. At the time, I knew it was cool but now I realize what it means for highway cruzin! Unfortunately, I didn't take interior pics as I should have before the disassembly. 2 buckets, deluxe heater, steering wheel all hacked up. And all painted black with a rattle can. Attached Images

09-08-2020, 08:13 PM	#7
Corts60 Just here to tinker Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Holland, MI Posts: 3,697	Re: Lulubelle awakens Welcome! Beautiful rig! Besides keeping original, what are your plans? __________________ 78 C10 SWB Diesel #1 (wrecked)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...1978+silverado 78 C10 SWB Diesel #2 (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=650751 60 GMC Suburban (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=445526 60 GMC 1000 (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=298235 67 GMC 1500 (sold) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=803695 73 Chevy C20(Daily)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=852767 86 Suburban(summer unit) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=810697 88 Suburban 4x4(sold)

09-13-2020, 11:49 AM	#8
Riverstory Registered User Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Lake Havasu City AZ Posts: 142	Re: Lulubelle awakens Thanks for the nice words. This panel, when completed, with be turned into a delivery truck.



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.