03/11/03

I ended up preferring the small back window over the large one, as I thought it was a more sporty look. So the '59 cab was the one used. It had the normal rusted out parts (cab corners, steps) but the floor was in pretty good shape. The worst part was the roof was heavily rusted, while the '55 cab had huge holes in the floor yet the roof was in great shape. Eventually the roof was cut off the '55 cab and used to fix the '59 cab.

The front sheet metal is all '55, I had two pairs of fenders and two hoods so we used the best pieces. The '59 didn't come with a bed, so the one I purchased from the salvage yard was used (it was off a 60's model truck I believe). The frame is the '59 truck frame with the Camaro and Trans-Am parts in tow. Lots of model years here, but in the end It'll look like a '55.

I had the 327 rebuilt, using an engine rebuild kit from Summit Racing. Comp Cam, TRW Forged pistons, Pete Jackson Gear drive, Edlebrock Intake, Holley Carb, and lots of look good parts. But after that the project just seemed to fizzle. I got a full-time job at the college and eventually bought a new 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme and retired the T-bird. The next years were spent paying off bills that had been acquired while in college.

Jumping to near present time, in 2001 I put the project back into gear (and also got a new 2000 Silverado). The cab was taken to a local shop (Central Alabama Restorations) that specializes in older vehicles. With the cab out of the way, I concentrated on the frame. Bought an Eastwood powder coating kit and learned the process.  I also started conversation with a guy that will eventually convert my truck over to a Pro-Street vehicle. In 2002 plans to use the 327 were scrapped, it's a great engine and what I wanted then but just not what I want now. A new blown 350 will be built and put in the truck. That brings us up to the present, thanks for reading. Future projects will include the restoration of my great grandfather's 1960 Buick LeSabre (not the actual car, ours is a 4 door hardtop)