Just Picked Up 56 1 Ton Sub/Panel Rescue Truck

[apocalypse]

Hey Guys,
Just thought I would post what I picked up last weekend. I haven't decided what to do with it yet, but have a lot of ideas running through my head. It's my 1st 50's era vehicle. I have a 66 Suburban and love it, but figured I might as well tackle something a little older. Let me know what you think.

[mr48chev]

The field is wide open on that one.

Restore it, cosmetically at least to be a fire rig and show it and run it through parades?

semi restore it and put two rows of captains chairs in it and haul your buddies around at truck shows.

Take all the lights and stuff off, put a decent but not overdone paint job on it an turn it into an rv of sorts with a bed in the back and seating for camping road trips.

Fix the brakes make sure the tires are safe and scrub it down with CLR and take it to a show and tell and let the patina brigade slobber all over it.

No matter what you do it looks like it is one of those rigs that you can have fun with one way or the other. I had a 57 Panel years ago that we would load full of swap meet stuff and take off to swap meets in Texas usually coming home with a totally different load. Clean it out and trow a queen size air mattress in the back and you have a camper for those events where you can camp on the grounds for the weekend.

[whitedog76]

I love the looks of that thing!

I would keep the fire truck theme going.

Maybe go 80's Ghostbuster theme. That would be kind of different.

The lights and fire equipment are what make it cool. I would however get rid of that tail dragger on the back and put a real bumper on it.

I'm thinking some nice chrome and some bright red paint would really make that truck pop!

My cousin recently bought a 70's F250 Crew Cab tanker that was used by a local fire department. He put a real bed on it and is going to keep the fire truck theme. I never have been a fire truck guy, but after seeing a few old vintage ones, it's growing on me.

[mr48chev]

That back bumper is to make it easier for your buddies to get in and out when you haul them around barhopping whitedog.

You could strap a transmisson, or even a Jag XJS front suspension to it to and haul it home without getting oil or grease inside the panel.

[_Ogre]

very cool. i like old panel trucks. definitely keep the rear bumper.
3800?

[Kim57]

Very cool truck.
Kim

[OrrieG]

Yes, that is a SERIOUS rear bumper, I'd stay with the rescue theme, upgrade the suspension (maybe stick a 90's or so suburban under it) and have fun.

[70gmcjimmy]

That truck is great! The rear bumper has to stay as that was a platform for men to ride on to or from the scene of the incident. They would hold on to the bar above the doors while riding. That is an important part of the story this truck has to tell!

That lettering looks like gold leaf and appears to be pretty decent yet. More pics would be cool.

DAC

[Highsider]

That is a most interesting version of a rescue style vehicle.

[whitedog76]

I understand the functionality of the rear bumper. It just doesnt' do it for me. I think that truck painted fire engine red with some chrome caps, lights, and front/rear bumpers would still scream cool.

If that rear bumper were polished diamond plate and slightly smaller, I would agree with you guys. As it sits right now, I think it looks like something off of a tow truck or service truck, not a fire vehicle.

[alaska gasser]

Make a limo out of it.

[apocalypse]

Guys thanks for all the ideas and comments! Only having it a week and not really getting to do anything with it yet, but ideas are circling. I'm kind of leaning toward making it more of a semi restored street rod type thing, that I can haul the wife and kids around in. I'd like to put some 50 - 60's suburban stype windows in it so the kids can see out when we're driving around and put a couple rows of seats for them. But it's still all ideas at this point.

Although, that big back bumper could use a pole and already has the stage lights for a show. Just needs some music and hot women!

[AZ59apacheguy]

That is beautiful. Now, how about some pics of the inside?

[apocalypse]

I'm going to get some more pics later this week or weekend.

[AZ59apacheguy]

awesome

[_Ogre]

just tossing out ideas
4 doors, all stretched 6'' none of the glass is stock

[apocalypse]

That's sweet! How did you add the extra doors? Do you have a build thread for it?