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

[nicke]

This is day one. I just got home after unloading the new 55' 1st series pickup and the 1947 chevy fleetline.

Sorry about the bad pics. I didn't even have a chance to wash it yet, or even dust it off, but I couldn't wait to snap a few pics to show off.

It has been in a barn for quite a few years, last licensed in 1990. Ran when parked (you have all heard that before). Body is in stellar shape. It really is all there and relatively untouched. Original 230 with the original 4 speed.

Unsure what direction to take with this truck, but knew for sure that I needed to have it. Now... to keep original...to restore... or to resto-mod with a tasty drop... that is the question.
Enjoy, and more to come!

[nicke]

more..

[nicke]

few more.. once the dirt is off the front (from the trailor) she looks nice!

[Steve@OldSub.com]

Its missing the radio and a hub cap. Clearly its too far gone to restore!

Great find I like it. I'm a hot rodder so you can guess my opinion on which direction you should go.

[nicke]

Originally Posted by Steve@OldSub.com

Its missing the radio and a hub cap. Clearly its too far gone to restore!

Great find I like it. I'm a hot rodder so you can guess my opinion on which direction you should go.

Good call....I should probably take it back. Might still be under warranty.

One vote for hot rod!

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by Steve@OldSub.com

Its missing the radio and a hub cap. Clearly its too far gone to restore!

Great find I like it. I'm a hot rodder so you can guess my opinion on which direction you should go.

Not to mention its missing the stock front signals. Its a goner, I'll dtop by and take this piece off your hands for a nominal charge

[nicke]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Not to mention its missing the stock front signals. Its a goner, I'll dtop by and take this piece off your hands for a nominal charge

Thank you! Finally, I'm sick of it already. lol

[CHIZZLER]

Great find. Looks pretty nice.now the fun begins

[carnuts07]

Nice truck, I'd leave the paint and drop it but that's my opinion

[Tri5Nerd]

Nice find! Just bag, drop and drive it all day.

Tri5

[hotrodrookie]

I say do whatever you want to it, but leave the paint. Sweet truck!

[nicke]

Yeah, I have no plans to change the paint. Other things are higher on the priority list.

[Dan Bowles]

And it's not a 55 1st series. It's a 54. Check your emblems. Definitely take it back.

http://53truck.ez15loan.com/howto/years.htm

[truckdude239]

great lookign truck i'd getting ti running and drive it

[polysci]

Great find...luck was on your side that day.

Excellent!

[nicke]

Originally Posted by Dan Bowles

And it's not a 55 1st series. It's a 54. Check your emblems. Definitely take it back.

http://53truck.ez15loan.com/howto/years.htm

The guy who had it before I did let me know about the emblem situation. He never did know what the story was with that. The truck has always been titled as a 55, and it has the drive shaft and not the torque tube.
Maybe they slapped on some of the leftover 54' emblems to get rid of them in early 55', as the bodies were "leftover 54" bodies anyway....More to come on this...

[Dan Bowles]

I'll forgive the emblems if it's got the open driveline! I would not be shocked if they "used up" what they had. You could also check the VIN because some states registered them as the year they were sold, not made. There are at least 2 1954s that I've heard of that have the splitter windshield. The first on was a '53 according to the VIN but was SOLD in 1954. I don't know the second's VIN.

[Steve@OldSub.com]

The second and third numbers of the serial number will be 54 or 55. Check the plate on the inside of the driver's side door frame between the hinges. Just because it has open drive doesn't mean it always has...

[mobileortho]

Man, what a find! Great looking truck!

[nicke]

Originally Posted by Steve@OldSub.com

The second and third numbers of the serial number will be 54 or 55. Check the plate on the inside of the driver's side door frame between the hinges. Just because it has open drive doesn't mean it always has...

I will check and report back. Can anyone show me the link to where, or tell me what the other numbers in the vin or Serial mean. I will post once I find out.

Thanks!

[Steve@OldSub.com]

Originally Posted by nicke

Can anyone show me the link to where, or tell me what the other numbers in the vin or Serial mean.

Stovebolt.com Vinbuster

If I remember right the first letter is the size of the truck, the next two characters are the year and the fourth character is the plant. I could be wrong about this since I usually just use the tool... I don't recall if that pattern started in '53 or '54 but I know it fits '54 and '55.

That tool works for US made Chevrolet's and was written by a Stovebolt guy who has since vanished. I've written a tool that works for US built GMC's.

GMC Serial Numbers

I don't usually publish that URL because I've never quite worked all the bugs out. But it does get most trucks right.

I've not seen a tool for Canadian trucks though I may someday write one that does the GMC's. I THINK all Canadian GM serial numbers are based on a single structure so it may be possible to write one tool that would do all Canadian GM stuff. However while the Canadian serial numbers mostly make more sense than the US ones, they have a ten-year repeating cycle that complicates it a bit. You can't tell a '40 form a '50 in there approach.

It seems I can't give a short answer to a question any more. Sorry for all the extra that has nothing to do directly with your question!

[nicke]

Checked the numbers. They are as follows:
Number inside driver door frame: H550005616- Checks out as 55' 1st series

Number stamped on engine (also on title of truck) 0224387 F55 X

To me, it checks out as a 55' 1st series with original engine. In the glovbox was a bunch of old registrations and a title from the original owner, with the same number that is on the engine....

Thoughts?...

[Dan Bowles]

Thoughts? You got a 55 with 54 hood emblems! Nice score. I personally love the 55 emblems!

My other thought is to change your last 5 digits or so to XXXXX on your post. Some less than scrupulous people out there...

[Steve@OldSub.com]

It sounds to me like a truck that should stay a six. I'm still a hot rodder but I'd build that original motor if I had this truck. And maybe look for some '55 1st emblems to reduce the flack...

[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!?