Rooney3100

Thank you for your thoughts on driving old cars, I have driven my Harley since 1994 and you do have to drive defensively, I have alot of time and money in my truck and I know that first ride thru town will be like playing a video game, I drove into town today before work and tried to imagine having my 56, people were on my tail and people were pulling out from every where, I know that the evenings and weekends are a little less hectic......Rooney3100

That looks to be a 55 chevy from the front emblem, the serial number would have the correct date of the truck---- West, the side emblems on a 55 have white paint, these have black paint from 56, so the serial number will tell all, I have to ask you thou, what color was the motor in it if it was original?

West, I bought the Gear kit from a fellow out on the west coast, I will look in my paperwork when I get a chance and let you know, it's been 14 years since I bought the kit, hopefully he's still in business, I'd like to see a Picture of the Bookmobile if you have one....Thanks Rooney3100

Thanks everyone for taking the time to post your comments, that's where the truck has been in a climate control garage and I need to do something with it, that's why I decided to blacktop the driveway and get it out and enjoy it, it's restored to New condition, I did have a 3:38 ratio gear put in the rear end from a 3:90, that's the only thing that's not original, I drove the truck for about 2 weeks when I received it from Oregon and it just screamed at 50 miles per hour, the 3:38 should tame it down, back a couple of years ago I did have a driver 1967 C20 with a 4speed and had fun driving it, you all are right about being smart when driving these OLD cars, this one I won't be able to goes as far because of the comfort level, the 67 was more comfortable, but Heck this baby is original right down to the date coded spiral shocks and the firestone Bias tires, it's the real deal from 1956, I'm hoping to get in on the road before the cold & snow gets here, I have to wait on the blacktop, I'm on the schedule, if not it will be my first priority in the spring after the roads get cleared of Salt, I'm going to be spending some time in the next few weeks to go over it with a fine tooth comb..........Thanks again for the comments and experiences....Keep them coming....ROONEY 3100 (STEVE M)

I've decided to venture out with my 1956 Chevrolet Pickup instead of hauling it around to car shows, I'm just waiting for the driveway to be black topped, the truck is restored to completely original down to every nut and bolt, I used to have and drive a 1957 GMC out in Arizona in the early 80's as an everyday driver with car's from the 80's, now 30 some years later the cars have changed and people drive them with phones and who knows what else.... So I just wanted to ask anyone what they have experienced out there driving the old cars, I live in a smaller town here in Northern Michgan and just driving my 2004 Silverado thru town can be hecktic at times during the weekday's the way people drive these new cars, I'm hoping that Respect for the older cars are still out there, I plan on taking it out on Nice day's only, mostly on the weekends.........My truck will be fully insured also.........Rooney3100

I have a 1949 Kaiser trunk lid that was taken off a 20,000 mile kaiser that was a roll over, I purchased this and some other parts from an auction some years back, all I have left is the trunk lid, I'm hoping someone can use this for there restoration, I would like to get $100.00 for it, it has some very light light surface rust and a dent in the right hand lower corner, this is a good solid Original trunk lid....call 989-356-9201 or e-mail me at smav@charter.net I would prefer pick up only if possible........Thanks STEVE M

Thanks Rob for the info, that is a good deal, I almost bought a 2014 Chevy sliverado 2500 duramax yesterday from our local dealer and after talking to the mechanic I realized these Newer diesels are not good because of that DPF emissions, I drive short distances and that wouldn't work out good for me, so at this time I'm going to get other things paid off before I retire and find an older diesel truck and get a trailer the way I want just for going to shows, or I might just start next summer venturing out with the 56 and having fun with it on nice day's, I'm sure it will get attention were ever it goes, the depreciation value will be far less than getting a rig for going to shows for what little time it is shown on the field, but that rig you mentioned on the Horseless carraige site sure looks tempting, I'm not sure if it's in my budget at this time, I only have 2 1/2 years left to pay on my silverado, then I might shop around........STEVE

Thanks For All The Info Everyone (Keep it coming), Huptoy, I have 7 more years to go to retire and that would give me the oportunity to pay for a trailer and a truck, I'm just not sure what to get first, I know what I can afford, I would like to get the proper truck size for towing, I'd like to get a Deisel truck, But I don't think that I can budget that, I will have to check into the possibilities, they are costly, especially New ones, I just hate to buy a used Diesel vehicle, It's nice to hear any and all comments, I"m sure all of you have went thru this, First the show vehicle, then the tow rig and trailer, I sure hope it's worth going to the Car shows.....I would really like for everyone to see my 1956 Chevy Truck....

Thank you for the Information Avantey: I really want to get a Goose neck 24ft Featherlight trailer, I will try hauling it with my Silverado till I get it paid for and then I will move to a bigger and better hauler for the longer haul, especially in the mountains, I was hoping someone on the forum, would have a gooseneck they haul around a 24 footer and I was hoping to here from someone what type of vehicle they haul it with, I will wait and see if there are any more people that can comment....Thanks.....STEVE

I have a the 2011 Silverado 1500 regular cab, I would like to have a featherlite trailer, the bumper pull trailer weighs around 3500 lbs for a 24ft, the gooseneck weighs around 4500lbs, my 1956 truck weighs around 3500lbs, my Silverado is rated at 9000lbs, I would like to travel when I retire to various AACA shows, should I put the truck before the trailer or the trailer before the truck, I can't afford both at this time, I figure I can get both the trailer and a truck to pull with paid for before I leave the working world, I was hoping I could use the Silverado I have for now if I picked up a nice trailer, would a 2500 series Silverado HD or a similiar truck do the trick with the braking? Marty I like to have a regular cab 8ft box pickup for hauling stuff around, but I will check into the suburban for towing and hauling, that does sound like a good idea...... What does everyone else on this forum drive with the same weight as my 1956 Chevy truck 3500lbs for long distant hauls? , especially in the west or eastern mountains.....STEVE

Hello Marty, good to here from you, I'm in the process of checking into the featherlite for my truck, as soon as my 2011 silverado's paid off, I want to get a trailer made just for the dimensions of my 56, the height is a definate add on, also the door on the side for getting out of my truck, I did here that the goosenecks have a towing advantage over the bumper pull trailers, I figured I would try a goose neck with the silverado I have now, if it pulls ok, I will keep the truck, if not, as soon as the trailer is paid for, I will definately get a diesel regular cab 4x4 for the longer haul for(Shows out west or east).........the place I'm dealing with is SLM trailers in whitemore lake Mi, there is only 2 dealers here in Mi...........They have been in business for quite a while, I talked with the owner and he seemed like a down to earth fellow, not your typical salesman........STEVE

Hello, I was thinking of purchasing a 24FT FEATHERLITE GOOSENECK MODEL 4941 Trailer with 5200lb axles in the near future for hauling my 1956 Chevy truck and I was wondering if anyone on this forum Owns or has owned one in the past and how they liked it for Quality & towing there classic car and what vehicle they had or have for towing this trailer, How does the Gooseneck compare to a Bumper pull trailer, I have a 2011 regular cab 4x4 Silverado 1500 that I will try and pull it with......... I would appreciate any comments....Thanks Rooney3100

It's all filled up now.........

I have a Reznor 45,000 btu heater in my 24x24 log garage in Northern Lower Mi and it is all the heater I need, I keep the temp around 47 degrees, it runs on propane and isn't bad on fuel usage, I have never set it more than 58 degrees, i usually have to shut it off, doesn't take long to heat up the garage.........Rooney3100

Here is more photo's of my restoration in photobucket.......Some changes have been made, (Tires replaced with original Firestone 6:70 15, Economizer carb part taken off, otherwise all correct colors, and numbers, lot's of NEW OLD STOCK PARTS, even the wiring, I could get the coreect seat pattern in grey for my truck, they only had the brown correct pattern, but I did get grey material for 1956....... Rooney3100 http://s555.photobucket.com/user/rooney3100/slideshow/1956%20Chevrolet%203100%20Truck%20Restoration

I Larry, I did put Silicone brake fluid in my truck, I also have stainless brake & fuel lines all bent to the correct GM specs, your friends truck look real nice........STEVE

Hi trimacar, Here is a pic of my wood bed in my truck.....I tried to keep it close to original, I did use stainless clutch head bolts, mine were real bad and rusty, most of the bolts on my truck survived and I was able toblast them and clear coat them, they had the letter "L" on them..... Thanks....STEVE M

Hi Gil, I understand completely and thanks for the compliment.... There is another side of what you are saying that I've experienced mostly at snowmobile events with my Rupps and I've also heard from other car guy's that have been to shows... some times people will come by and pick the vehicle apart and they believe they are alway's right, especially when you've done the car or vehicle from the ground up and spent many years trying to keep it completely original, I've even experienced this on Forums, I almost want to ask the question ( SHOW ME YOURS), one of the things that came to haunt me was my Motor Color in my truck, everyone say's Grey for that year, when I boiled my motor down it was Blue in color, this is the Original motor to the truck, I even contacted General Motors and they Said blue could have been used for the 6 cyl motors in the Task for trucks and the people still insist it was grey, so that makes you as the restorer feel not to high, I know that those people are just a small portion of the Car restoration world but they exist, I've learned this going to snowmobile shows.... The other thing is Favoratism at shows when it comes to judging, Not sure if it happens at AACA shows, but I've seen it at other car shows that are judged, this also makes the car restorer feel small also.....other than that I do want to go have fun, it will take a few years for me to get the equipment to go to the AACA shows, but I do look forward to it......STEVE M

Hi Marty, I had my tank sealed on the inside when I restored it, Thanks for the info....STEVE

Larry, were can I buy the type of gas your are talking about? would I have to thoroughly have to clean all the original gas out of the system? Also your truck looks real nice, I have not seen one with that design...STEVE

Hi Ed, I have my truck on the stovebolt pages Gallery....STEVE

Hi Larry, I did go last week an purchased 5 Gals of Ethonal Free Gas 90% octane fuel from our BP Gas Station for my truck, I'm putting that in this weekend, I'm also going to use it in my Rupp Snowmobiles I've collected, also my truck has the original 235 6 cyl. motor, when I had the motor rebuilt it had Harden Valves installed, also when I had the rear end gone thru I had a 3:38 ratio installed instead of the 3:90 ratio it had, I drove the truck for about 2 weeks before it was taken apart, it sure screamed RPM's at 50 mph, that is one thing that's not original to the truck, If I do drive the truck someday it would be easier on the motor for sure.....Otherwise the drive train is completely original down to the date coded spiral shocks, the one thing I got to say is I took the Old Smell out of the inside of the truck, my 67 chevy had that, I sure miss that........STEVE M

Billybird, I completely understand what you mean when you like to keep it spotless, this truck is basically New again, I know I don't want to leave it for someone else to enjoy, I've allway's told myself when I retire in 7 years, I should jut get in the truck and go out to the west coast and back, have fun then park it back in the garage and say that was one Hell of an adventure, (NOT SURE WHAT THE TRUCK WOULD LOOK LIKE?) But if It breaks down and I need it serviced, know one would Know how to work on it, that would be interesting.....

What a lot of different comments, Thanks everyone, Larry, My truck is Numbers matching and I did go the extra mile with alot of NOS parts, correct numbers on my parts, original paint colors and even date coded the glass thru LOF, I had a 67 Chevy truck I used as a driver up until last fall, and decided to sell it because of having to cover it up outside every winter, It was fun to drive and did get alot of attention which I miss, I used the money to build another garage for this truck, but this truck is different, I know that once it goes down the road (WILL IT BE THE SAME), I would like to get to a AACA event to get it judged, but I will have to get an enclosed trailer in a couple of years once my 2011 Silverado is paid for, I'm a lilltle leary about hauling it to shows, that will be another topic, I know for sure this truck would turn some heads any where it goes, I spent alot of money finding correct parts back in 2001 on e-bay when they were more plentiful and priced better, there is 850 hours in the body work alone and that not including my time putting the truck together.....I appreciate any and all comments, maybe this will make up my mind in the near future with WHAT TO DO WITH MY TRUCK.....I know that letting them sit it isn't good either, I do run it when I can and I did put silicone break fluid for storage, also stabilizer in the anti freeze, since completion 3 years ago, it still looks just the way it did by keeping it under wraps in a heated garage......STEVE M

I have to ask everyone, because I'm sure I'm not the only one that is in this position... My story begins with, back in the early 80's in Arizona I had a nice original Green 4 spd 1957 GMC 1/2 ton that I did a NON frame off restoration and drove the truck everywhere and had lots of fun with it, I only had around $4500.00 in the truck and sold it, what a mistake.... Moved back to Michigan, 20 years later in 2001 I wanted to get another 50's green 4spd truck, I purchased a 1956 Chevrolet 3100 from Oregon, instead of just fixing a few things and driving it around, I decided to restore it, 10 years later it is complete, thousands of dollars and NOS parts and lots of man hours later, I'm maticulus and so was my painter, We took it the extra mile in restoring it, I have not even washed it yet...... I just want to get everyone's opinion on when you get all this time into a vehicle which way does one enjoy it? Right now it's in a Newly Built Garage with with all kinds of Old Car Memorabilia, it looks like it fits real well and looks GREAT, kinda like I put together a BIG MODEL....It's virtualy NEW... I thought I would ask everyone's OPINIONS that have experienced this in the past that have done Nice Restorations....WHAT TO DO????........Thanks SM