Frequently Asked Questions

OldSub.com Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are you going to restore it?

This is the first question everyone asks.

The answer is Absolutely Not!

I'm going to drive it. I think Rodstoration is the term people are using for what I'm doing. My first priority is being able to drive it, second is enhanced performance.

Right now it has Honda Accord leather bucket seats, and the rear axle from a Chevelle station wagon and front disk brakes from that same wagon.

And I have a 350 Chevy V-8 with a Turbo 350 automatic waiting for that day when I need more power.

Some people might be offended that I'd destroy an original classic, but I'd suggest that this one was not worth saving. Between the rotten floor, and other porous sheet-metal, you'd need a complete body to restore this one. Also both the engine and rear axle where not original. I don't know about the transmission or driveline.

If you are hung up on restoration, find that complete perfect body and do it yourself. Or give me that body, because I could use some good clean parts...

2. Where did you find it?

It was parked in the trees off a driveway here on Bainbridge Island. I only learned of its existence because my friend Bill had talked to the owner about buying it, and then decided he couldn't take on another project right now. I didn't waste time considering such foolishness, I grabbed it right up!

3. What did you have to do to get it home?

Write a check and drive carefully.

4. Is it for sale?

My standard answer has been an adamant no. But I've decided to be more reasonable. Bidding starts at $23,500. I reserve the right to refuse any bid, or to accept any offer at any time.

5. How much did you pay for it?

I've been asked that one a couple times today, and many times over the last couple weeks. I feel I was fair to the guy I got it from, and beyond that its none of your business. Sorry.

6. What year is it?

This has become a recurring question, and the answer isn't as simple as I once thought. It is titled as a 1955, and most likely was sold as a '55. However, while Chevy marketed their '55 first series trucks as '55's, GMC just kept selling the trucks without worrying about the year. The serial numbers on '54 and '55 first series GMC's are the same. The build sequence number is unique to each truck, and the part of the number that tells model and motor is appropriate, but the year part doesn't change.

What's that mean? It means I'm calling it a '55, but its really a '54 that was licensed, and perhaps even built, in 1955.

7. What have you changed/what things are not original?

When I got the truck, it had a later 270 cubic inch GMC six. The VIN says it should have a 248, and the 270 was never offered in this truck, but the block casting number clearly identifies it as a 270. The truck is 12-volt, which I'm believing was done when the later motor was installed, though that is only a guess...

Also when I got the truck, it had a replacement rear axle. I've talked to one guy who believes it is from a Jeep Wagoneer, but I don't know with certainty where it came from. When I first had the sub serviced at my local lube place, they said the lubricant in the rear was very dirty. Not long after the rear started making noises and I discovered the pinion bearing was gone. So now it has the rear from a '73 Chevelle wagon, which I had bought for the engine and transmission.

The rear brakes are new, and appropriate for the Chevelle wagon the axle came from. They are 11 inch with finned drums, and seem like they work real good. The front brakes are disk, and sorta came from the same Chevelle wagon. I say sorta because when I converted it seemed like '73 Chevelle wagon was a phrase I used a lot while standing at the parts counter.

I managed to buy a pair of leather bucket seats from a Honda Accord. Very nice, and since the original seats were missing, and had been replaced with junk, this was a very good upgrade.

8. What color are you going to paint it?

Asking the question implies you think I am going to paint it...

And okay, I do plan to do so, I'm just not sure when. Though it may not be easy to tell from my pictures, some of the body is really rough. I've toyed with painting it as is, or waiting until the work is all done, and I keep going back on forth on that issue.

I've found a picture of a stock paint scheme that I like, and though I'm not worried about matching factory colors, I think this is the basic look I'm going to try. The picture is linked off the Current Plan page, under August 23, 2002.

9. So what's the deal with the web site?

For a time, not so many years ago, I made my living as a dot-commer. Now I'm back at a more traditional company, and this kind of thing lets me indulge those web urges without risking my family's eating money.

And for reasons I'm not sure I understand, I've decided to tackle this project with an exhibitionist spirit. As I started this project, I didn't really know where this project was going, and while I tend to prefer to make my choices without revealing any waffling or uncertainty, part of what I'm doing with this web site is musing about what I'm thinking about doing, so if I say I'm thinking about doing something one way, then a day or month or year later either do or say something different, oh well... All that means is that this is what it is, and if it doesn't do what I said, its because I changed my mind.

10. So what's here?

Well the links on the left of the main take you to pages about the project. On many of them you'll also find lots of pictures and who knows what all else. If its on these pages, it will revolve around my old trucks, though I won't hesitate to toss in my kids or motorcycle or friends projects or anything else I feel belongs here (I am the sole arbiter of those choices).

11. How do I make sure I stay informed?

Want to be sure you don't miss anything? Check back daily and follow every link. Or you can sign up for my email news list (from the main page), and when I think something is worth telling people about, I'll send out an email that lets you know. I'll try not to be a nuisance, but it could already be too late for that.

12. What is the legal status of these old trucks?

I thought this was interesting. I was researching Year of Manufacture license plates and found these legal definitions:

RCW 46.04.125

Collector.
"Collector" means the owner of one or more vehicles described in RCW 46.16.305(1) who collects, purchases, acquires, trades, or disposes of the vehicle or parts of it, for his or her personal use, in order to preserve, restore, and maintain the vehicle for hobby or historical purposes.

The referenced description basically says more than 30 years old. I think mine all qualify. The context is Horseless Carriage license plates, and also means I'd qualify for year of manufacture plates. However, putting either on the trucks means only driving them to club events and such.

In the same context the Washington State Legislature has declared my hobby is most important.

Finding -- 1996 c 225: "The legislature finds and declares that constructive leisure pursuits by Washington citizens is most important. This act is intended to encourage responsible participation in the hobby of collecting, preserving, restoring, and maintaining motor vehicles of historic and special interest, which hobby contributes to the enjoyment of the citizens and the preservation of Washington's automotive memorabilia." [1996 c 225 § 1.]

As soon as some other question gets asked more than once, I'll add it to this list.

Last updated: December 31, 2006