And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
That would be a (second series)'55 or a '56. In '57 the grille was changed and Chevy went to dual headlights for '58 and '59. 1956 was the first year for the V-8. More common were the "big block" sixes. These were simple, tough, reliable trucks. Drivetrain was improved over the previous torque tube design. 12 V system with generator and mechanical VR, easily upgraded by installing an internally regulated alternator. I never got around to improving the brakes. (When wet they were about useless until they dried out.)
My very first truck was a '56 Panel with a 265 CI V-8, Hydramatic 4 speed and a 4.10 12-bolt axle. Leaf springs all around, foolproof, solid kingpin front axle and even a factory front swaybar. Ride and handling were surprisingly good on all types of roads. No power steering, so twisty mountain roads developed shoulder and arm muscles.
The 265 was real tired so I got a rebuilt 283 short block w/ Isky cam, rebuilt the stock heads, and retained the factory intake manifold and Rochester 2-Jet. A set of Hooker headers, crossover pipe and turbo muffs rounded out the job. This proved to be an excellent combination. Nothing fancy but that sucker ran great! About the time I got the engine dialed in, the tranny died. I replaced it with a junkyard granny gear 4 speed. Pedal assy, flywheel, bellhousing etc, all from the same donor truck and all parts bolted in with no cutting or welding. My buddy and I accomplished the swap in one weekend. We used a HD pressure plate and had to change the front D/S yoke. These swaps were easy due to Chevy's parts interchangeability.
That was a Damn Good Truck. It took us across the Country three times in the mid-late '70s, many fond memories.
It took us across the Country three times in the mid-late '70s, many fond memories.
Thanks and I guess you were camping? I took three summers off doing the same. Once with a VW camper and twice with a '69 428 Torino, 4 speed pulling a 24 foot camping trailer. I could do it full time.
We camped in SP and NP campgrounds, sometimes dry camped in the Nat. Forests. We visited buddy's folks in MS and Indiana, and my people VA and NC. (The Shrimp Festival in Wilmington was a highlight.) We were in D.C. for the Bicentennial, and on another trip we were at Pike's Peak for the hill climb races.
We camped in SP and NP campgrounds, sometimes dry camped in the Nat. Forests.
Same here but every other day we would stay at a KOA ($6) :)for their showers and swimming pools. I remember a SP in Washington state in early June had free firewood.
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my people VA and NC. (The Shrimp Festival in Wilmington was a highlight.)
Let me know the next time you visit. Where are you located and thanks?
I live in CA, haven't been back East since 2003 when my Dad was interred at Arlington. It may be quite a while 'till I visit again. I want to spend more time on Skyline Drive. Also want to hit the Shrimp Festival again but not sure it is still happening.
I lived in Orange County CA since the evacuation of Saigon until 1995. Also in Marshall, VA from 5 years old until Vietnam which is a short drive to Front Royal, the northern entrance of Skyline Drive. Morehead City has many festivals each year and not far from Cape Carteret where I just sold my small house and moved back to my family place in Tarboro.
The truck pictured is a 1955 Second Series 3100 (actually model 3104). It would originally have a 235 ci inline six; the 265 ci V8 was available for the first time in the 1955 2nd series, but the pictured fender emblem would have a large "V" in it.
'58?
ReplyDeleteThat would be a (second series)'55 or a '56. In '57 the grille was changed and Chevy went to dual headlights for '58 and '59.
Delete1956 was the first year for the V-8. More common were the "big block" sixes. These were simple, tough, reliable trucks. Drivetrain was improved over the previous torque tube design. 12 V system with generator and mechanical VR, easily upgraded by installing an internally regulated alternator. I never got around to improving the brakes. (When wet they were about useless until they dried out.)
My very first truck was a '56 Panel with a 265 CI V-8, Hydramatic 4 speed and a 4.10 12-bolt axle. Leaf springs all around, foolproof, solid kingpin front axle and even a factory front swaybar. Ride and handling were surprisingly good on all types of roads. No power steering, so twisty mountain roads developed shoulder and arm muscles.
The 265 was real tired so I got a rebuilt 283 short block w/ Isky cam, rebuilt the stock heads, and retained the factory intake manifold and Rochester 2-Jet. A set of Hooker headers, crossover pipe and turbo muffs rounded out the job. This proved to be an excellent combination. Nothing fancy but that sucker ran great!
About the time I got the engine dialed in, the tranny died.
I replaced it with a junkyard granny gear 4 speed. Pedal assy, flywheel, bellhousing etc, all from the same donor truck and all parts bolted in with no cutting or welding. My buddy and I accomplished the swap in one weekend. We used a HD pressure plate and had to change the front D/S yoke.
These swaps were easy due to Chevy's parts interchangeability.
That was a Damn Good Truck. It took us across the Country three times in the mid-late '70s, many fond memories.
I wonder where it is now...
=TW= .
4.10
DeleteThanks and was that offered from the factory?
Yes, as far as I know.
Delete=TW=
It took us across the Country three times in the mid-late '70s, many fond memories.
DeleteThanks and I guess you were camping? I took three summers off doing the same. Once with a VW camper and twice with a '69 428 Torino, 4 speed pulling a 24 foot camping trailer. I could do it full time.
We camped in SP and NP campgrounds, sometimes dry camped in the Nat. Forests. We visited buddy's folks in MS and Indiana, and my people VA and NC. (The Shrimp Festival in Wilmington was a highlight.) We were in D.C. for the Bicentennial, and on another trip we were at Pike's Peak for the hill climb races.
Delete=TW=
P.S. I visit Free NC regularly. Carry on, Brock!
We camped in SP and NP campgrounds, sometimes dry camped in the Nat. Forests.
DeleteSame here but every other day we would stay at a KOA ($6) :)for their showers and swimming pools. I remember a SP in Washington state in early June had free firewood.
============
my people VA and NC. (The Shrimp Festival in Wilmington was a highlight.)
Let me know the next time you visit. Where are you located and thanks?
I live in CA, haven't been back East since 2003 when my Dad was interred at Arlington. It may be quite a while 'till I visit again. I want to spend more time on Skyline Drive. Also want to hit the Shrimp Festival again but not sure it is still happening.
Delete=TW=
I lived in Orange County CA since the evacuation of Saigon until 1995. Also in Marshall, VA from 5 years old until Vietnam which is a short drive to Front Royal, the northern entrance of Skyline Drive. Morehead City has many festivals each year and not far from Cape Carteret where I just sold my small house and moved back to my family place in Tarboro.
DeleteThe truck pictured is a 1955 Second Series 3100 (actually model 3104). It would originally have a 235 ci inline six; the 265 ci V8 was available for the first time in the 1955 2nd series, but the pictured fender emblem would have a large "V" in it.
Delete