Find or Sell Used Cars, Trucks, and SUVs in USA

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

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

Timebuyer Incorporated ★★★★

Used Car Dealers, Wholesale Used Car Dealers
Address: 796 State Route 3, North-Hero
Phone: (518) 324-1122

Midas Auto Svc Experts ★★★★

Auto Repair & Service, Automobile Parts & Supplies, Brake Repair
Address: RR 12A, North-Hartland
Phone: (866) 595-6470

Arrowhead Motors ★★★

Used Car Dealers, Wholesale Used Car Dealers
Address: 210 Washington St, North-Springfield
Phone: (603) 542-4477

Williston Economy Motors ★★★

Used Car Dealers, Wholesale Used Car Dealers
Address: 687 Industrial Ave, Williston
Phone: (802) 881-0069

A One Automotive Repair ★★★

Auto Repair & Service, Tire Dealers
Address: 56 N Winooski Ave, Burlington
Phone: (802) 651-0598

Ted`s Kar Kare

Auto Repair & Service, Towing
Address: East-Calais
Phone: (802) 244-1224

Auto blog

Next-gen GM SUVs caught wearing new boxy bodies [w/video]

Wed, 15 May 2013

We recently drove the brand-new 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and found it to be vastly improved compared to the outgoing model. And now that The General's pickup trucks have been squared away, it's time to focus our attention onto their passenger-friendly companions, the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon (above).
Our spy photographers have passed along a huge smattering of photos (and a video), showing the new SUVs out testing. Both the short- and long-wheelbase models were spied, and while the overall shape of the vehicles hasn't changed all that much, we expect the updates to be substantial. In addition to new powertrain options, like GM's new small-block V8, we expect the interiors of both SUVs to get massive makeovers, providing better materials throughout their cabins and quieter, more refined environments. We even hear that some trick new suspension developments may be in store for upper-end models.
Visually, these spy shots allow us to see a couple of new details on the SUVs' front and rear fascias, including LED running lamps on the Yukon and some interesting LED taillamp treatments. Of course, the obvious third party missing from this set of photos is the Cadillac Escalade, but as we reported earlier, GM is working to further differentiate the 'Slade from the rest of the fullsize SUV lineup, and is working to make the new model "much less ostentatious."

Chevy Sonic shreds like a skateboard

Tue, 19 Mar 2013

Despite the fact that the 2013 Chevy Sonic is a fun, plucky little thing - especially in ever-so-slightly hotter RS guise - it is not, in fact, a skateboard. But don't tell that to rapper Theophilus London.
In General Motors' latest spot for the Chevrolet compact, London needs to make a quick run to the store for some milk. And even though, once again, the Sonic is not a skateboard, it ollies, pops and gets air because, you know, it's just so much fun to throw around.
If this video looks familiar to you, it's because this is the full ad that we first got a preview of in Chevy's longer, full-line spot, where the brand's "Find New Roads" tagline was introduced. Scroll down to see this dedicated Sonic spot, along with the older ad, and remember, the Sonic is still - still - not a skateboard.

GM recalling over 40,000 Chevy, Pontiac and Saturn models over fuel pump woes

Mon, 01 Oct 2012

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a recall for a number of General Motors cars and crossovers bought or currently registered in the hot-climate states of Arkansas, Arizona, California, Nevada, Oklahoma and Texas. As many as 40,859 units consisting of the 2007 Chevrolet Equinox, Pontiac Torrent and Saturn Ion and the 2007-2009 Chevrolet Cobalt (shown) and its Pontiac G5 twin are being recalled for potential fuel leaks.
This recall is being issued due to potentially faulty fuel pump components that can crack and cause gasoline to leak from the return or supply ports and possibly cause a fire. NHTSA has not indicated how many fuel leaks or vehicle fires have been reported. As a fix, GM will replace the fuel pump modules on all affected vehicles free of charge. Since Pontiac and Saturn have been shuttered, owners will be able to go to another GM-brand dealership to have their vehicles repaired.
While the list of affected cars and crossovers varies by state and model year, if you own any of these models and live in Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, Oklahoma or Texas, be sure to check the official notice below for more details.