I’ve owned this truck since 1995, and in that time I’ve probably only put about 300 miles on it under its own power. The original build was faulty (engine, trans, suspension) due to the shop it was in for three years after I bought it. I didn’t have the time or skills to do the work myself back then.


Fast forward to the mid-‘00s, and I had been working on it diligently, replacing rusty panels and trying to figure out a solid plan to get it on the road. Life happened, and I ended up marrying my wife. The decision was made that I would move in to her house, which was about 50 miles away from mine, because she owned her own business and was well established where she lived, whereas I am merely a machinist, and the shop I work in is a fairly easy commute from both homes.

The downfall? She lived on an acre or so of desert property with no garage. I had to liquidate my collection of projects: a 1931 Ford Model A coupe; a 1952 Ford Customline Tudor sedan; this ‘56 panel truck; a 1964 Buick Skylark coupe (the only running vehicle among them); and a 1970 Chevelle Malibu coupe. I decided to keep the Chevelle, because that car would be relatively easy to put back together, and was arguably the most valuable of all the project vehicles I had. The panel truck went to a friend, while the other three vehicles went at fire sale prices.

Fast forward again, and through a lot of obstacles, the truck is back with me, and I built a garage. It’s big enough for my truck, the Chevelle, my Bridgeport, lathe, TIG, MIG, bead blast cabinet, tool boxes, etc.

That leads me to now. Short list plan: replace firewall, cowls, floors, and frame. This will be a dark side build, so MII front end, LS-based motivation, and 9 inch are all awaiting their turns to get my attention. Air bags are going to happen. It will look much like it does now, because future life plans are coming up quick, but the interior will be finished so my wife won’t feel like she needs a tetanus shot after she’s in it. On to photos:

 

 

 

Thanks for looking!!

 

Looking forward to your build start to finish..

 

Thanks, me too!!

 

Very nice, I'll be following along too. Looks like the Chevelle is a project also.

 

The more, the merrier!! Yep, the Chevelle is a project, and has been for nearly as long as the panel truck has been. I guess you could say that I was the victim of a lot of sub-par work in the mid- to late-‘90s.

I had originally planned on getting the Chevelle together first, but quickly realized that the panel truck could be on the road in a lot less time than the Chevelle.

 

Deff will be following along.love these panel trucks.i will be looking for one when iam done with my 54.

 

Wow that is definitely a major c notch . Will also be following .

 

Luv it! Save those Panels!!!

 

I love the hood!

 

You’re not kidding. I thought about trying to save the frame as is, but then would still have to deal with the chopped up front end, and that Camaro clip, which, while nicely done, rode like crap. Time for a new stock frame.

 

I shall do my best, sir.

 

Me too!! Definitely one of my favorite features on this truck when I bought it.