Just bought 55' Chevy 1st Series...barn find

[Steve@OldSub.com]

Originally Posted by Dan Bowles

How many ACTUALLY know that there is such a thing as a 55S1 to start with!?

Well you and I do, and our opinions count!

I've actually owned more '55 1st trucks than '54s if you allow me to count those GMC's built AS 55's as '55 1st. I know that is a little bit of an issue with the GMC crowd but for 1/2-ton and some other models I've been able to identify clear serial number lines where the switch from '54 to '55 occurred.

[alden]

wow that truck looks like a great find!

[Dan Bowles]

I know, Steve, I know. But 2 out of how many?? I've got emblems from a garage sale years ago that will go on a truck some day. I want me a '54/55S1 GMC. Superburban if possible. For now, I've got what's left of the '54 that was my mom's when I was 8 years old. I'll be 41 next month!! Took a little ride in Court's truck which is running her grill and bed on an S10. I've got the frame and seat frame and a few other odds and ends.

[Steve@OldSub.com]

Originally Posted by Dan Bowles

But 2 out of how many??

Holding a minority opinion is not the same as being wrong.

I think I was 45 when I bought my '55 1st GMC Suburban. You're helping me feel old today. I've had the thing for years...

Gratuitous picture of my 'burb just because I can....



That picture is nearly 30 months old, but while I've collected some more parts I don't believe I've actually changed anything since putting on the Cragars that morning.

Most recent swap meet purchase was the right splash apron for it. I now have three of the four inner side window garnishes. Collecting the sheet metal to repair this truck has been a long slow process.

Okay highjack off....

[B17CRX]

Nice find! Brings back some memories, the first truck I bought when I was 14 was a '54 3100. Its fun to have a semi-rare truck that is different from the pack.

-Joel

[Richard H.]

Originally Posted by Dan Bowles

Steve, I'd leave the 54 emblems on and flack back! How many ACTUALLY know that there is such a thing as a 55S1 to start with!?

I do ,see avatar or my build thread has pictures... Gotta admit Niche has scored one cool find. His is an original and mine is a lot of after thought. For three days I have been looking at his pictures drooling

[nicke]

Well, then you are gonna like the fact that I snapped a few more. I cleared the junk out of the interior and wiped it down a bit. I still haven't done a thorough clean, but this is a start. Enjoy!

[nicke]

Still need to wash the outside, but it should clean up nice!

[nicke]

a few more...
I really like the look of the rear passenger wheel treatment. I might just make the rest of those wheels white for now. I think it looks great with that shade of blue...

[Russell Ashley]

Thanks everyone, you are making me feel at home with this thread, LOL. As I mentioned in my first post, I've been a regular on the 61-71 Dodge truck forum for 12-13 years and Dodge had a 1st and 2nd series truck in 1965. There was always a discussion about whether a certain truck was a 64 or early 65, or a late 65 or 66 model.
The serial number on this truck seems to positively identify it as a 55 so I'd just clean it up good, get it running good , and drive it just like it is. If I changed anything it would be to maybe put a chrome grill on it and a set of whitewall tires. That was a great find, IMO.

[nicke]

Originally Posted by Russell Ashley

Thanks everyone, you are making me feel at home with this thread, LOL. As I mentioned in my first post, I've been a regular on the 61-71 Dodge truck forum for 12-13 years and Dodge had a 1st and 2nd series truck in 1965. There was always a discussion about whether a certain truck was a 64 or early 65, or a late 65 or 66 model.
The serial number on this truck seems to positively identify it as a 55 so I'd just clean it up good, get it running good , and drive it just like it is. If I changed anything it would be to maybe put a chrome grill on it and a set of whitewall tires. That was a great find, IMO.

Glad we could help!
More picture to come soon of it totally clean!

[blue 72 gmc 4x4]

Nice truck! If it were mine I'd take a buffer to it then drive it the way it is!

[Dan Bowles]

Yep, white or cream rims and a buffer would do me fine on the outside. Under the hood I'd do a good clean up and route things parallel and perpendicular, then dream of a 216 split intake with dual carbs (better flow) modified to fit the 235 ports and a self made split exhaust manifold with dual pipes and Smitty's.

[Steve@OldSub.com]

And with the engine mods either a Saginaw 4-speed or a T-5 conversion. It would be sweet.

If it were mine I'd have to ruin the picture with an automatic...

[nicke]

Originally Posted by Dan Bowles

Yep, white or cream rims and a buffer would do me fine on the outside. Under the hood I'd do a good clean up and route things parallel and perpendicular, then dream of a 216 split intake with dual carbs (better flow) modified to fit the 235 ports and a self made split exhaust manifold with dual pipes and Smitty's.

Almost the same setup my dad is building for his 50' chevy fleetline.
He decided to hot rod a 261, with a cam, an a bunch of internal upgrades, headwork, and a dual webber setup. We just bolted the head on this weekend.
I will post pics of the final when it is done.

[Dan Bowles]

Steve, with what you're rasslin with, I'd forgive an automatic!

[bajabob]

My old man gave me a 53/54 when I was a kid. It was beat to heck and the motor was frozen but it was a blast to mess with and kind of got this whole truck thing going. We spent hours looking through magazines planning the build.

If it were me, I'd go the the resto rod/shop truck route. Either slam it with air or maybe ol skool with a droped axle. Leave the orginal paint and just update the brakes, tires and wipers, your good to go..... This truck is sweet you scored on this one !!!!!

[50adrod]

nice find, my vote is to restomod with modern suspension and drivetrain, stock is ok if all you want to do is show it or drive around town. stock is no fun on long trips. i agree on leaving the paint as is

[nicke]

Originally Posted by 50adrod

nice find, my vote is to restomod with modern suspension and drivetrain, stock is ok if all you want to do is show it or drive around town. stock is no fun on long trips. i agree on leaving the paint as is

Yea, that is what I am thinking. Discs would be nice for this, and a slight drop would make the stance perfect.

[nicke]

Just for clarification, none of the rear tail lights are stock right?
There was some original paperwork I found in the glove box that had some trailer light install instructions.....

[nicke]

anyone?

[chev3600]

Mine had two tail lamps mounted low on the bed sides. I thought I read that a single lamp was standard and dual was an option. None of the ones you have look like the ones listed for 54-55 though. Classicparts.com sell the brackets incl. one with a license plate hanger.

[nickp51chevy]

Originally Posted by nicke

Just for clarification, none of the rear tail lights are stock right?
There was some original paperwork I found in the glove box that had some trailer light install instructions.....

I do believe that there was only one tail light that was stock. I think it was the left one because it had the licens plate on that side. So if you are doing a full original resto you only need to have one tail light.

[nicke]

Originally Posted by nickp51chevy

I do believe that there was only one tail light that was stock. I think it was the left one because it had the licens plate on that side. So if you are doing a full original resto you only need to have one tail light.

Yea, I wont be doing a full resto...just curious if these were stock or not...

[nicke]

A few more pictures, now that I washed some of the dirt off it.