So how long do you hang onto them??

[mikec4193]

Hi All Chevy truck guys....

So I am fiddling around with my 1952/53 Chevy farm truck and as always cant wait to get it rolling....been thinking about something to do after this one is running....I got it home in April of 2014, dragged in the garage in October of 2014...it is now March of 2015...he is still not running yet but I am already thinking about getting rid of it...

So how long do you folks keep your trucks once you get them up and running????

Any insight would be great...

MikeC

[mr48chev]

I bought my 48 as a running and driving beater with a Chevy II 194 engine and stock drive train in March of 1973. Started working on it while driving it to work every day not long after that and drove it to the NSRA street rod Nationals in Tulsa that summer as it's first event (we lived in McGregor Texas then and it was about a 450 mile one way trip. Had all the first long road trip hassles on the way there and smooth sailing on the way back except my wife fell asleep with her head on my leg and her feet out the passenger window and got the bottoms of her feet sunburned on the way back home.

I sold the truck in 1974 because I wanted a 56 Big window but ended up buying a 57 Panel with a hot 327 and later traded the 57 straight across for the 48 with the second guy who had it after I sold it. It's been part of the family ever since. My daughter has already laid claim to it as she rode in it when she was only days old and my son gets the Model A.

[nvrdone]

Haven't had mine too long. Bought it in May 1973 for $235.00 as a driver. Made a few runs from Oakland CA to SLC & Boise ID. Towed the ski boat with it, my wife & I dated in it. Still do. Hauled rock, fencing material, dirt etc to landscape our yard. 3 kids learned how to drive a stick shift on it. So it is part of the family. I say I want to be buried in it in the back yard. My son says no way. We shall see.

[59chev]

Bought my 59 as a rust bucket with a cracked block when I was 17 years old in 1997. Got it in primer and running with a stock drivetrain a few years later, drove it for a few years. Parked it at my parents farm, then I got married, bought a house, had kids. My daughters are 3 and 1 and I'm in the middle of my second rebuild. I've owned it for 18 years at this point.

[OrrieG]

Bought in 76, changed to 4wd in 85, started current rebuild in 2000. From 76-2000 was my daily driver except for one year in the early 90's. During that same time went thru other old cars and trucks as projects. I have had my 64 Chevelle since around 1996.

[_Ogre]

bought my current truk around 91 as my daily driver, finished the remodel in 10
like nvrdone; i'd take it with me, but my son will have something to say about that

[MARTINSR]

Bought mine in Dec '73, it's been a giant model kit for the last 20 years but I have been slowly getting back to it. But if you have no interest in it, sell it and move to something you do. No sense storing something for nothing.

Brian

[38 Hump]

February 1972 here. Currently under 4th incarnation. 454 dual quads, Muncie 4-speed, Ford 9", pie cut hood and shaved. Will go to Ledzepp, my son, some day to keep it in the family.

[Rich1954]

I bought my 54 GMC in 1975 and drove it for 7 years. The original owner had modified it with a 302, Clark 5-spd, and 3/4 ton axles. I'm guessing he used it to tow something. The 2nd owner did virtually nothing to it and sold it to me. It dropped a valve in '83 and sat for many years rusting away. A few years ago my lovely wife encouraged me to rebuild it. I'm doing a frame up resto-mod right now and it will be a daily driver when done. I doubt I will ever part with it while living. It's part of me. I've managed to hang onto it through two divorces and every other life changing event. That being said I need to quit lurking here and actually post some pics.

Rich

[Stepside Jim]

Lol, sorry Mike, I've got 2 vehicles that I've had for over 30 years each.

Looking at the other posts, I figure an average you've got a good 30 years before you can consider getting rid of the Chevy truck.

Might as well put your hands on the hood and say "I do" and make it a member of the family.

[47 Fasttoys]

My '46
For 17 years now, in which I'm put over 200,000 miles on it.
My '47

3 years now and just got it on the road 2 weeks ago. Mileage 1700+, yes, these are my only daily drivers

[lv2tri2]

I don't think that's a question someone else can answer. Nearly everyone has sold a car or truck and regretted it, If there is any chance you might, hang on to it. I agree with MARTINSR though, if there is no love for it, you are wasting time.

[BIGglaSS]

I don't have a big enough wallet or garage to keep everything I want. I have a 70 Olds 442 that I have had for 9 years. Still not finished, but that is my keeper. Meanwhile, I had a 68 442 that I enjoyed for one summer after I finished it. I would like to enjoy my projects for one or two summers, and then move on to the next one. They're always for sale, except the Olds. I have been working on a 57 big window for the last year, hopefully drive it next year, then sell and move on to the next one on my bucket list.

[MARTINSR]

Originally Posted by Rich1954

I bought my 54 GMC in 1975 and drove it for 7 years. The original owner had modified it with a 302, Clark 5-spd, and 3/4 ton axles. I'm guessing he used it to tow something. The 2nd owner did virtually nothing to it and sold it to me. It dropped a valve in '83 and sat for many years rusting away. A few years ago my lovely wife encouraged me to rebuild it. I'm doing a frame up resto-mod right now and it will be a daily driver when done. I doubt I will ever part with it while living. It's part of me. I've managed to hang onto it through two divorces and every other life changing event. That being said I need to quit lurking here and actually post some pics.

Rich

I love it, yep it's amazing the life changes where this truck has remained. Had my own business for 13 years, 4 children two marriages, parents dying, the truck has been the constant.

Brian

[karrlogs]

I personally like old trucks. It's nice oto see them esp when they're restored and well maintained. I currently own a 2004 silverado pick up, got it sometime in 2008. Well what do you know, it's been 7 years. I'm the long haul kind of guy.

[Iceburgh]

I don't get attached at all....if someone wants it I sell it.
The truck I have completed now I have had done for 3 years. I would sell it tomorrow if someone wanted it.

[ptc]

For me I guess part of the passion of working on cars/trucks/bikes/boats is the adventure in getting to the finish line.... Like riding a motorcycle its not always the destination thats the best part its the adventure in getting there. There are so many things to do and see and learn from along the way. And everything has a price... If someone is willing to pay for it, its for SALE!

I think thats why I could never do this as a business where a 'customer' is calling the shots on their timeline.... then its just another job!


Enjoy!!!

[mikec4193]

HI Eveybody

I ran roundy round oval track for years....loved it loved it loved it....this old truck is cool and all...but darn...there is no adrenaline in this hobby....you work and work and work.....and for what???....to get it done and drive around on a Sunday for ice cream????....I think I am an adrenaline junky....nothing like the smell of being in the pits on a hot Friday night....strapped in...and ready to roll....15 laps later...hopefully driving that same car up on the trailer...there seems to be a climax that I felt with racing that I dont feel with these old trucks...they are cool....but there is "no checkered flag" with this hobby...

It isnt for sale yet....but I am thinking about my future with it...

thanks guys for all the replies....you guys are awesome...

MikeC

[Advanced Design]

While I really enjoy the build process our checkered flag is when we get the project to the point we can go somewhere with it. When we built the 48 truck we had an agressive goal of getting it done in time for the Frog Follies in Evansville, IN about 2 hours away. We made it, with only 20 test drive miles under our belt. Had a couple things to fix when we arrived, held our breath quite a bit and had a real feeling of success.

It was similar on the 56 BelAir when we updated with an LS. Left for a 1,400 mile event with 40 test drive miles, had zero problems and another feeling of accomplishment.

[dubds10]

Our '57 GMC is the only one we're keeping long term as in forever lol I've had so many pre-'72 trucks I've lost count and most I bought to play with or flip. The longest I owned any for was my '72 Blazer for a couple years and I'd actually still have it if it weren't for the dog getting ran over and needing to pay his $7g bill lol All other trucks were a few weeks to a year. It just takes the one you can't let go of though, but money always talks and sometimes life changes. I still want my '56 GMC, but I'll settle for our 2 '57 GMCs for now lol

And Mike it depends on the build. Our truck will be finished for show and racing, so not just a weekend cruiser. We'll be reworking the drivetrain this year to get it ready for a newer 500hp/tq power plant for drag racing, then body will get done later on. This is also the little womans daily driver in the summer so it gets well used and beat on lol

[tmoble]

jeeze, I thought I was bad, owning it since 83 and just now getting ready for the big rebuild. it's had a self-built 327 and TH400 all those years. 93 added the Camaro stub, 2013 added the C4 rear. Now I have all the cosmetic stuff on hand, almost afraid to start on it.

[tobins 52 gmc]

I been working on my or our 52 gmc for about 8 years now and it will take a lot of money to get it out of our family a lot. WE have twin girls that are 12 and they love it and they brag to there boy friends at school about it .They are planning on driving it hahaha

[solidaxel]

All my cars and truck well be handed down to my sons (Corvettes) and my 3 grandson will get the trucks.......................when my kids take my drivers license away from me.

The 65 Corvette I have had since 67 the 62 I bought as a basket in 72 and restored it, the 78 I bought in 78 from the original owner when she passed away, and the 55 GMC I bought from a co worker who bought it new in 55, and I bought it from him in 88 or 89 when my one son was about to get his license.
It was in a collision and the front end was damaged, and he did not want to work on it, so got it running in 91 and it is still going.
There was a total rebuild of the 55 in 02 and finished in 05 and still going every day !

[mikec4193]

Dont you guys get bored with the same vehicle day in and day out???...thats like living in the same house for ever.....same job forever...how do you not get bored with them???

MikeC

[lv2tri2]

Changing wives was enough, the old truck is always there.