Hello all...

  I've loved the old, flare-fendered and steepside-bed trucks for as long as I can remember.  recently, I saw some old Chevy's at the Good Guys show ('55 or '56 if I remember correctly), and this sparked my interest once again.  I figured I'd look around to see how rare they are, as well as how difficult it can be to get parts and supplies, and so far it seems pretty encouraging on both fronts.

 I have a *bit* of experience with classic cars - I have a 1972 Classic Mini Cooper and can generally work from service manuals and How-tos if/when required.  What I cannot do is major bodywork (read as: weld) or do painting.  I can also do a bit of engine work, but I'm certainly not a mechanic.

   Reading threads in here, it seems like there's a lot of knowledge around, and I wonder if I might ask some questions?  Namely:

 1.  Where would you suggest I start looking for classic Chevy truck classified ads?  I'm primarily interested in a truck that's already been restored or is just a bit rough around the edges, as I can't do major work like paint or welding.

 2.  Are the Chevy's really that mechanically reliable and driveable under modern highway conditions?  I'm one of those guys that thinks that a car - ANY car - should be driven around regularly, and have a "drive it 'till it breaks, then have fun fixing it" attitude, and I'll be taking the vehicle out on the roads regularly.

 3.  How's insuring them?  Any issues with insurance companies balking on covering such a vehicle?

 4.  If/when I get in over my head mechanically, am I on my own, or are there shops that still work on trucksof this vintage?

 5.  How's the car club situation?  One of the best things in my opinion about having a "special" or "collector's" car is the club environment and getting together socially for events and drives.  Is this very active in the classic American truck scene?  

 6.  Perhaps most important: ** What am I forgetting to ask?? ***  As I said, I know classic cars a bit, and I know that every make and model has its quirks and advantages/disadvantages.  Are there other models I shoule be looking for/at?  

 Anyway, I appreciate you taking the time to look at this and thanks a million in advance!  

Welcome to the forums ImagoX. To start your search for a Chevy 3100 I would check Ebay, craigslist and I would make a another post in the forums. Happy Hunting.  

Another post when?  When I find one?  For right now, I'm just seeing if it's stupid for me to even consider classic Chevy ownership, based on my mechanical limitations and financial status.  If anyone can chime in on my questions above, I'd really appreciate it.  I'd also love it if people could suggest other, possibly more complete or dedicated forums.  it seems a bit dead in here, but that might just be because it's summer and people are out and about.    

1. Check out any of the shows in your area, pick up old car trader magizines at the grocery store, you'll find all kinds or trucks out there.

2.Yeah, sort of.If ya like wrenchin' and tinkering these things will run forever. Daily driver as in your only transportation, no.

3.Hagertys. (as long as not your daily driver)

4.Yup, they'll be glad to take yer cash!

5.You're in a pretty good sized city, start hitting the cruse-ins and asking around, you'll find them!

6.However much money ya got to spend, figure double that amount and have fun with this!



My cheap advice for the day!  

Thanks for the reply!

 I see trucks like this at car shows all the time, and I actually think that a car that's listed as "fairly common" is an advantage (rather than a draw-back as some web sits and magazines claim) since I do not plan to compete or show the car outside of friendly gatherings - I just want a fun, old truck to work on and drive around.

 Right now I actually drive my '76 Mini around as my daily driver, but I am glad that I have a modern car (a 2005 MINI Cooper cabrio) as my backup, either for those times that it breaks and I have to order parts, or for when the rain and snow starts in the wintertime.

 RE: repair places - Do you generally go through the dealerships, or just ask around at local shops and/or at meets?  I've built up a small list of shops that work on my Mini simply by asking questions for a few years, but it's very hit and miss as to what people know how to do.  That's with a British import however - I was wondering if a domestic vehicle, even one as old as I'm looking at, would be different...

 Thanks again!  

Dude, STAY AWAY FROM THE DEALERSHIPS!!!

Same thing as with yer Mini, ask around, try the speed shops or I look around for shops that have race cars! They (racers) allways need extra cash and they're used to trying different stuff.

Good luck and have fun with this  

^^^^ +1
There are a few catlogs out their that have all the parts you would need, and some you don't.  

Actually, a MINI dealership won't go near my classic Mini at ALL, so it sounds like domestically-produced trucks are easier that way.  

 How does the Chevy compare to, say, the mid-50's Ford F-100?  I've seen some REALLY pretty examples of that truck (love that in-set front chrome grille action), but I wonder how it stacks up mechanically, cost-wise and availability-wise to the Chevy?  Anyone have any wisdom?  Is either truck clearly easier to, say, gets parts for or to work on?

 Thanks!!

 -M  

ImagoX:
Hello all...

  I've loved the old, flare-fendered and steepside-bed trucks for as long as I can remember.  recently, I saw some old Chevy's at the Good Guys show ('55 or '56 if I remember correctly), and this sparked my interest once again.  I figured I'd look around to see how rare they are, as well as how difficult it can be to get parts and supplies, and so far it seems pretty encouraging on both fronts.

 I have a *bit* of experience with classic cars - I have a 1972 Classic Mini Cooper and can generally work from service manuals and How-tos if/when required.  What I cannot do is major bodywork (read as: weld) or do painting.  I can also do a bit of engine work, but I'm certainly not a mechanic.

   Reading threads in here, it seems like there's a lot of knowledge around, and I wonder if I might ask some questions?  Namely:

 1.  Where would you suggest I start looking for classic Chevy truck classified ads?  I'm primarily interested in a truck that's already been restored or is just a bit rough around the edges, as I can't do major work like paint or welding.

 2.  Are the Chevy's really that mechanically reliable and driveable under modern highway conditions?  I'm one of those guys that thinks that a car - ANY car - should be driven around regularly, and have a "drive it 'till it breaks, then have fun fixing it" attitude, and I'll be taking the vehicle out on the roads regularly.

 3.  How's insuring them?  Any issues with insurance companies balking on covering such a vehicle?

 4.  If/when I get in over my head mechanically, am I on my own, or are there shops that still work on trucksof this vintage?

 5.  How's the car club situation?  One of the best things in my opinion about having a "special" or "collector's" car is the club environment and getting together socially for events and drives.  Is this very active in the classic American truck scene?  

 6.  Perhaps most important: ** What am I forgetting to ask?? ***  As I said, I know classic cars a bit, and I know that every make and model has its quirks and advantages/disadvantages.  Are there other models I shoule be looking for/at?  

 Anyway, I appreciate you taking the time to look at this and thanks a million in advance!

Hi

I just read your post and thought I would pass along the link to my 1954 Chevy Pickup which has been fully restored.  There is a link within the listing where you can view the appraisal.  It's a beaut and mechanically sound.  There are a lot of pics there.  It was just listed last evening.  Good luck!

You can cut and paste the following link and put it in your browser.  Or you can look up my Ebay name, terra2c and find the truck from my listings.  Here also is the item number which you can look up that way as well.  160293386541

Thanks,
Lynn

cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=160293386541&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT  

Thanks for the post, but whats with the italics font? My eyes my crippled eyes.