The rise from ashes 1956 Chevy

[Fults1971]

Hey guys, I've been on here to ask questions, but never officially introduced my self or my truck. I bought this old 56' Chevy for $650 over the weekend. Doesn't have a title or at least the correct title. I run a mobile sandblasting business and am sponsoring/ vending at some local car shows, and decided to find something to help advertise my business. The story behind this truck, is that it had a fire 20-25 years ago in the cab. Which is why the floor is poor shape. I'm going to do a budget build on this truck. Nothing spectacular, just fix the body issues, lower it a bit, and throw a small block in it to get it running. The bed and steps are in great shape, and the front half of the truck isn't bad either. So hopefully a majority of my time and money will be spent on the cab.

[Daze57]

welcome aboard
you have quite a project there sir !!!!! good luck and ask all the questions you have --the guys and gals here are more than willing to help ---good helpful ppl !
and thank you for saving another from the crusher .

[Fults1971]

Yeah, ive definitely got a project. The part that concerns me the most is the cab. I have never done any major repair like that. I know i will have to fix a few things, and get my doors where i want them, then brace the cab before replacing the floor.

[Nev68]

Wow, that's a big project.
I will be interested to see the post sandblast photos.

[1project2many]

Welcome.

What a find! That's going to need some love for sure.

That was a Hydramatic truck, yes? And possibly a V8, too? Those weren't too common. I don't believe there's a huge demand for Hydramatic emblems but folks that want 'em usually look far and wide to find 'em.

If it's any consolation the trucks up here rust a heckuva lot worse and people still manage to restore 'em.

[Kim57]

Welcome.
Good luck with bringing it back to life.
Kim

[dwcsr]

I'm normally the last to say this as I have resurrected many cabs but find a new cab, There is nothing budget about that cab and what it needs. Your going to spend $2500 in sheet metal alone. Fires are never kind to that old sheet metal, it buckles and warps the metal beyond the point that you can rework it. You could get a really nice cab for $1200 and then put that other money is different repairs.

[_Ogre]

Doesn't have a title or at least the correct title.

fix this first, before spending one red cent on the truck

agreed with the find a new cab comment, probably need new front sheet metal too
the steering box is probably shot and you'll need all parts and glass for the cab
you'd be further ahead to get a new truck with a bad bed

but first fix the title

[dsraven]

that is why I DON'T want a gas tank inside the truck with me.
grab a new cab with a title and go from there. if there are salvageable parts on the front then you are money ahead but to fix that cab will be a lot of work. like dwcsr said, start over but use what you can.

[Fults1971]

I am not sure if it is a hydramatic. I've been so busy with my company, i haven't had time to look into getting a title, research sheetmetal, or look into getting a cab. Are all 55-59 cabs the same? My options may be limited in finding a titled cab. We will see as time comes. Hopefully soon i will at least start taking apart the truck, and sandblasting and priming some pieces. Here is my tailgate from my 69' that i blasted.

[OrrieG]

I agree with DWSCR and Ogre; heated metal loses its temper and cannot be worked, think of how and old trash burning barrel is after a few fires.

Clear title is essential before spending a dime on it. If the insurance company paid out on the fire it became their property and they probably declared it a total loss and had the title purged so they would not have any liability. It might be flagged and not able to get a title. Other scenario is it was not insured and has just passed thru so many hands that it got lost. You do a lot of work, then start the title process at which point the last person to have it titled show up to take back his truck. Both these situations have played out before.

[dsraven]

that cab only has one pedal on the floor so it was probably an auto.is the driveline still in there? the vin tag has probably melted off?

[Fults1971]

Update: I found a titled cab for a 55 chevy. Hoping to get that next weeked. I definitely think it's the easiest cheaper way to go like some of you said. The floor is alot better shape on this one but will need the cab corner replaced

[Fults1971]

Originally Posted by dsraven

that cab only has one pedal on the floor so it was probably an auto.is the driveline still in there? the vin tag has probably melted off?

The drive isn't there anymore, everything was taken out. The vin is still on the cab, but no title as I said, but i just scored a 55 cab with title.

[hogfarm]

I live in Washington State and bought my 58 truck in Oregon with no title,It was very easy for me to go to DMV in oregon and get title ,the lady came out to the trailer and did an inspection on the spot,got Oregon title and changed it to Washington

[Fults1971]

Just an update, I found 55' cab in Oklahoma on ebay, and picked it up last monday. Overall the cab is in good shape, just have to replace the cab corners from it sitting on concrete for the past 15 years. The floor is pretty much perfect. Oh yeah, it was titled too! the vin number is 2 digits off from the title though, but Texas registration said that is its fine, and will have to do a title correction. I guess in the 80's someone "fat-fingered" the typewriter when they wrote up the title. I also found a 96-99 suburban third row seat for the bench seat with headrest. Its right at 48" long and from the bottom of the seat (not including brackets) to the top of the head rest is 26 inches. So it looks like ill have 4 inches or so to make a bracket and stay under the back window.

[MikeB]

Wow! What a challenge.

Hope to see some progress pictures.

[Nev68]

Nice find on the cab.

Do you guys have to work with the cab VIN or chassis number as far as the title goes?

[Kim57]

Nice find on cab and seat.
Kim

[Fults1971]

Originally Posted by Nev68

Nice find on the cab.

Do you guys have to work with the cab VIN or chassis number as far as the title goes?

They go off the cab VIN here.

[ptc]

Now thats a much nicer cab to be working with.... instead of that other one. There is a time when you just have to say something is NOT worth fixing.

Good luck on your build!

[58CameoAZ]

Good Score on the Cab, I would try to save the dash from the first Cab as its in original condition still and not all cut up,i think you could save it, That's if you plan to take the cab to the crusher? i have cut two out of parts trucks and saved and installed one into my 58.
Not really that hard to do!
Allen

[Fults1971]

Well just an update.. been moving kind slow on the truck. My business and fixing up my house has required alot of my time. A few weeks ago i pre-ordered a dropped axle from Sid at droppedaxles.com. He called the other day and said they were about ready for me to send in my core axle. So i got to work under the truck a bit and Pulled out the axle and tie rod. I am only sending Sid the axle, steering arms, and drag link for modification. Taking out those kings pins from the spindles was a PAIN! After 45 mins of pounding i finally pulled them out.. Sending the axle out tomorrow. I cant wait. I will keep pressing on slowly until i can dedicate more time to this thing.

[DransportGarage]

Originally Posted by Fults1971

<snip> ...the vin number is 2 digits off from the title though, but Texas registration said that is its fine, and will have to do a title correction... <snip>

Looks like I'm the third guy to mention how this might be important. Take care of it now! There's something sad about spending all of your money to build someone else's truck, or owning a shiny truck that you can't buy a license plate for.

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by DransportGarage

Looks like I'm the third guy to mention how this might be important. Take care of it now! There's something sad about spending all of your money to build someone else's truck, or owning a shiny truck that you can't buy a license plate for.

I am dealing with a lost title issue on a truck I am getting in Oregon, cannot have it shipped until it is resolved. I deal daily with government agencies in my business and am always told not to worry and how easy it will be. All you need is one person with an agenda to screw up the process. Get it taken care of now.