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1955 Chevrolet Truck Base 3.8l on 2040-cars

US $6,800.00
Year:1955 Mileage:66900
Location:

Eden, Vermont, United States

Eden, Vermont, United States
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1955 second series 1 1/2 ton with 12 volt system. A fairly rare short 130 inch wheelbase model which is less than a regular cab F150 with 8 ft box. Overall it's only a foot longer than my Volvo 240. 235 cu in 6, 4 speed manual and single speed rear end

I bought it in 1980 from the original owner, a grain farmer near Calgary , Alberta. The Canadian model is a 1500, which I believe would have been a 4100 in the US.  The GVW is 11000 lbs with the original tires, 6.50-20 front and 7.00-20 rear. It now has 7.50-20 all around. I drove it back the 3000 miles to Vermont and it got 14 mpg and used 7 quarts of oil.

I've done about 12000 miles in the 34 years I've had it, and within the last 4000 I've done the following ;

The 235 motor was tired and I replaced it with a reman unit. It's just broke in and runs smooth and strong. Compression is between 130 and 140 in all cylinders. It's never had ethanol in it.

A complete brake overhaul, including E brake band.

New water pump, king pins and steering ends. Front wheel bearings were repacked and 2 replaced.

All fluids were changed, except for the hydraulics.

New exhaust with 304 stainless pipe and a titanium muffler which I fabricated. It will never need replacing

I installed the battery backwards in a rush a couple of years ago which  was a bad idea. It got a new generator, regulator, and most of the wiring connecting them. The starter was also rebuilt with a new drive at the same time.

The mirrors were rebuilt with new glass and titanium arms.

Seat rebuilt with new covers and new floor mat.

All sheet metal that I could remove, inner and outer fenders, grill, hood and doors were removed, blasted, epoxy primed, top coated and reassembled with new seals and stainless fasteners. The fenders were undercoated and the floor was scraped clean, primed and undercoated.  The cab roof and back have the original paint. The truck as I bought it had very little rust. The floor is 100%. The rear cab corners rotted at the edges where chaff had accumulated, and mice had gotten up in between the roof and the inner metal. From the stash of grain I found I'd say they were there before I bought it. I've cleaned it out but the mess they left has caused some pitting inside the cab.  It wouldn't take much to finish the paint.    

 I've rebuilt the carb and probably other things I can't remember. None of the work was ever done with the idea of selling it.

The bed is 9 ft. long and 7 wide. It is all wood and solid except for the sideboards which are original and have some dry rot. There was 1/2 in plywood over the 2x6 planks when I bought it and I've overlaid it all with 14 ga. steel welded to the steel side rails. The dual cylinder hoist is very strong and reliable. I had it way overloaded the first time I went for gravel and it didn't flinch. I've never added oil since I've had it. I began to build aluminum sides and tailgate, but only completed the tailgate. I have the material for the sides cut and bent but they need welding. It's all 1/8" 6061 T6 aluminum which is very good stuff, and goes with the truck.

The tires have almost full tread all around but some have weather checking. Two of the rears are almost new retreads. I also have 4 good extra tires, 2  are 7.00 and 2 are 7.50 . I don't believe they're checked but they're buried in my shop out of the light and I'd have to look. The rims are 3 piece with a locking ring. The front were blasted and repainted and the rears have not but they have most of the original paint on them. There is a pair of dual chains in a box mounted to the bed.

Other things I've added over the years are a very heavy duty trailer hitch, a 15 gallon aux fuel tank outside the cab and a tool box mounted on the frame. The tank behind the seat was drawing rust so I haven't used it for a while. It doesn't leak, just needs flushing, and it's the tank that feeds the fuel gauge.

Everything works on the truck, lights ,heater etc. and it was inspected regularly until I stopped using it a few years ago. It's always been garaged  and run and serviced annually. It's had a tune up this summer and fresh oil. Mechanically it's almost 100% and I wouldn't hesitate to get in it today and drive anywhere. The only issue might be that the vacuum wipers are weak, but then they probably always were. I think an electric upgrade might be a good idea.

The truck is a joy to drive. It steers easily and runs straight down the road. The gentleman I bought it from had given up farming and was sad to see it go, and now I find myself in the same situation. The truck may look old fashioned but it's as willing and able to do a days work as it ever was. Hopefully it will find a home where it can be useful.


Auto Services in Vermont

Sumner Tire ★★★★★

Auto Repair & Service, Automobile Parts & Supplies, Tire Dealers
Address: 124 Quarry Rd, Newport
Phone: (802) 334-2452

Shearer Acura ★★★★★

New Car Dealers
Address: 1301 Shelburne Rd, Shelburne
Phone: (802) 861-5400

J & L Service Center ★★★★★

Auto Repair & Service, Wheels-Aligning & Balancing, Towing
Address: 216 S Main St, North-Hero
Phone: (802) 524-9070

Green Mountain Car Care ★★★★★

Auto Repair & Service, Automobile Detailing, Car Wash
Address: 2071 Williston Rd, Burlington
Phone: (802) 660-9835

Arrow Express Lube & Autocare ★★★★★

Auto Repair & Service, Auto Oil & Lube, Tire Dealers
Address: 151 Union St, Waterford
Phone: (603) 444-9919

Adirondack Auto Svce Inc ★★★★★

Auto Repair & Service, New Car Dealers, Automobile Body Repairing & Painting
Address: Route 9 S, Panton
Phone: (518) 873-6386

Auto blog

Corvette Stingray gets optional Z06 components

Thu, Nov 5 2015

If you've got a Corvette Stingray in the garage and have been tempted by some of the upgrades incorporated into the Z06, but can't quite bring yourself to trade up, Chevy has got some good news for you. The Bowtie brand has announced a series of performance parts derived from those in the Z06, but applicable to the base Stingray. The list of parts includes new cooling elements, prop shafts, brakes, suspension components, and underbody braces. They can all be fitted to Stingray models with or without the Z51 performance kit, and promise to raise the Corvette's game if not quite to Z06 levels, then closer to them. And for Z06 owners interested in gaining a bit more advantage, Chevy is offering a new Level 3 aero kit as well. The parts were demonstrated on upgraded 'Vettes at the Ron Fellows driving school at Spring Mountain. The school is also serving as technical partner and the track as the location for a new spec racing series built around the C7 Corvette. Dubbed the Michelin Corvette Challenge, the calendar is composed of fifteen half-hour races held in pairs over eight weekends, all on the six-mile circuit near Las Vegas. The cars to be used in the series will be close to showroom stock and feature many of the new Z06-derived upgrades, with Michelin racing slicks for dry weather and Pilot Super Sport tires in the wet. Perhaps most compelling of all will be the payment plan that will allow participating amateur racers to pay in installments across the season and take home their Corvette after the season's conclusion in December. New Z06 Parts Enhance Corvette Stingray Performance Broad range of chassis, suspension and aero components enhance capability 2015-11-02 PAHRUMP, Nev. – Chevrolet today and drivers from the Ron Fellows Corvette high-performance driving school at the Spring Mountain track demonstrated Stingray models enhanced with components from a new lineup of Z06-based performance parts. They're designed for 2014+ Stingray models, including Z51-equipped cars. "We've selected specific components from the Corvette Z06 and engineered them to fit the award-winning Stingray," said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet U.S. vice president of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. "These Z06 parts enhance the handling, braking, cooling and downforce performance of the Stingray." Ron Fellows, champion Corvette Racing driver, collaborated with Chevrolet Performance engineers on the all-new portfolio.

Chevy Corvette is latest car breached by hackers

Wed, Aug 12 2015

UPDATE: This story has been updated with comment from General Motors. In the latest car-hacking exploit in a summer full of them, researchers from the University of California-San Diego say they've found a way to manipulate braking in a 2013 Chevrolet Corvette. The vulnerabilities may not be limited to that model. Cyber-security researchers breached the car's security systems via a device they had plugged into the Corvette's OBD-II port, and through that connection, they sent messages that could turn windshield wipers on and off and tamper with the brakes as the car drove at low speeds. It's the latest in a series of car hacks that involve access to critical systems obtained via the OBD-II port, where drivers can plug in devices that provide anything from diagnostic information for mechanics to driving information for insurance companies. Last November, cyber-security engineers from Argus Cyber Security remotely controlled vehicle functions in a car that had a OBD-II dongle called a Zubie installed. In January, researchers from Digital Bond Labs found security holes in an information-tracking dongle popular with more than 2 million Progressive Insurance customers. Those came before prominent hacks unveiled in recent weeks, in which researchers remotely commandeered control of a Jeep Cherokee and, separately, showcased problems with GM's OnStar infotainment system. Regarding the dongles that plug into the OBD-II ports, Stefan Savage, a Cal-San Diego professor involved in the research, tells WIRED that, "we acquired some of these things, reverse-engineered them, and along the way, found that they had a whole bunch of security deficiencies." Savage and others unveiled the latest study at the Usenix security conference Tuesday. In a video of their exploit entitled "Fast and Vulnerable," they show how they sent SMS messages from a smartphone to the dongle plugged into the car's OBD-II port. From there, their messages accessed the CAN bus, a network on the car that connects individual electronic control units, which control dozens of vehicle functions. As they send the commands to brake the car, the driver of the Corvette notes "the pedal doesn't react to any pressure." General Motors issued a written response Wednesday, warning drivers to be careful with third-party devices they plug into their OBD-II ports.

Autoblog Podcast #380

Tue, May 13 2014

Episode #380 of the Autoblog podcast is here, and this week, Dan Roth, Chris Paukert and Seyth Miersma talk about the Fiat-Chrysler five-year plan, the seeming demise of the Nissan Cube, and proposed legislation to require speed limiters with a 68-mph maximum on America's tractor trailers. We start with what's in the garage and finish up with some of your questions, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. Check out the new rundown below with times for topics, and you can follow along down below with our Q&A. Thanks for listening! Autoblog Podcast #380: Topics: Fiat-Chrysler five-year plan Nissan Cube on the way out? Big rig speed limiters coming? In the Autoblog Garage: 2015 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG 2014 Chevrolet Sonic RS Sedan 2014 Honda Odyssey Touring Elite Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Paukert, Seyth Miersma Runtime: 01:44:17 Rundown: Intro and Garage - 00:00 Fiat Chrysler Plan - 29:40 Nissan Cube - 01:07:33 Semi Speed Limiters - 01:17:33 Q&A - 01:27:35 Get the podcast: [UStream] Listen live on Mondays at 10 PM Eastern at UStream [iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes [RSS] Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator [MP3] Download the MP3 directly Feedback: Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com Review the show in iTunes Auto News Earnings/Financials Plants/Manufacturing Podcasts Rumormill Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Fiat Jeep Nissan nissan cube speed limiters