Ironmightys Americana 1952, 58,59, 73 & 85

[ironmighty07]

So, I normally would never commit to buy a car without even seeing it in the flesh..so quite how come I threw caution to the wind and not only committed to buy but sent the money is something I can't explain...

Now I've long held a desire for some classic americana, and I'm a big fan of wagons & vans and after a torrid 18 months or so(losing 2 family members to cancer) I decided it was now or never.

Firstly an F100 Panel truck appeared very local, recently resprayed but for many reasons after going over to check it out something just didn't feel right(DVLA had it as a 3.0 despite the seller advising it was a 5.0 SBF...lots of overspray on wheels & glass but rust runs already appearing...so it's a no from me.

Then a couple of weeks later, a well weathered 1958 Chevrolet Apache appears...same sort of money, but its in Scotland and for various reasons I couldn't spare the time to head up there🤔..Spoke to the seller, an established dealer in US imports, more pictures and clearly lots of work on the underside supported with before/after pictures. Yep the price is all the money something running is fetching especially as the panel trucks are rare compared to the pick ups...being a 1958 its the twin headlight model....ooh decisions decisions...do the deal, including delivery...transfer the money...oh heck!!

So mild faffing and pandemic and other issue delays triggered huge scam anxiety,have I made a huge mistake😬...which brings to today and finally its all on for delivery...and its here

[grizz]

WELL DONE

WELL DONE

WELL DONE !

Chuffed for you.

I really doubt you will regret it.

These things are basic, solid, easy to work on.

Their prices continue to climb as well.

I love commercials as most people know.

Tons of help out there, and a load of knowledgeable people who love to help and share.

[Pid363!]

Mega, thank god there is still some honest people out there!

[bazzateer]

Schweeeet!

[rattlecan]

I like that…..lots 👍🏼

[Mercdan68]

Ooooffffff…..absolutely fantastic 👌

[Waxoyling Lyrical]

Yes, looks like a good solid old wagon. Is it the original engine, do you know?

[tonycocacola]

That is *insert expletive* awesome.
What are your plans?

😃

[ironmighty07]

Oct 23, 2021 20:38:36 GMT Waxoyling Lyrical said:

Yes, looks like a good solid old wagon. Is it the original engine, do you know?

Pretty sure its not, this is a later 5.7 SBC with 4sp... picks up well...brakes not quite so hot. Body has couple of frilly bits and had plate on drivers floor but mostly all original metal baked in New Mexico sunshine for 60 years.

[shielsy68]

That is one tasty piece of kit.

[igor]

Apart from the repower it looks like an honest survivor with little to hide. Best of luck with it.

[grizz]

I have looked in three times already.

Not sure where you plan to take this.

I put Mitsubishi Pajero/Shogun steels on my truck as rollers.

Different styles exist, cream rattle can and you could change the look for £100 or less if wheels were free.

Paul Y could have advice on brakes, he has rebuilt enough Chevy brakes on my drive.

[ironmighty07]

Oct 23, 2021 21:00:50 GMT tonycocacola said:

That is *insert expletive* awesome.
What are your plans?

😃

Plans...initially to make it more practical to use regularly...so in no particular order:-

Replace the perished door & window seals
Refurbish the heater assembly
Fit door locks
Upgrade the wiper system
Protect the well earned patina🙂
Possibly fit a servo
Replace hideous small aftermarket steering wheel(probably a reproduction of the original 3 spoke unit), steering is surprisingly light even with the little wheel.
Replace rear light lenses(look quite faded/brittle)
Sound deadening

In time I will probably repaint it, but in the truest traditions of "rat rods" the exterior will be the last bit to sort whilst I focus on usability and enjoy this as a rolling project.

[ironmighty07]

Few more pictures....first off, the awful steering wheel...


How can anyone not be seduced by such a stylish speedo


Suspect that this is the original 50s bed floor despite the presence of some coach bolts




The frilly bits in the left hand sill








Clean underneath, all fresh brake, kingpins and tyres



Pleasant surprise is the modern electric wiper system is fitted, so definitely a bonus there.

First jobs is adjust the clutch & brake pedals, they both catch the holes in the floor which contributes hugely to a chaotic feel when driving. Downchanging between 3rd to 2nd is a struggle and can't decide if thats me or the gearbox right now....plus its been a long time since I drove a carbed motor🙈

[ironmighty07]

Oct 24, 2021 5:17:19 GMT grizz said:

I have looked in three times already.

Not sure where you plan to take this.

I put Mitsubishi Pajero/Shogun steels on my truck as rollers.

Different styles exist, cream rattle can and you could change the look for £100 or less if wheels were free.

Paul Y could have advice on brakes, he has rebuilt enough Chevy brakes on my drive.

Was thinking of keeping the solid wheels but painting them up in white/old english...think the oe colours of cashmere blue & white work well on these. Plus its got new(albeit cheap Chinese) tyres all around.

Interior wise definitely keeping the original individual seats and refurbishing them but the existing metal work is all silver(even the old/original stuff and can't decide if to stick with that or go blue & white(seat metalwork i'll go white if I do change it)

[Paul Y]

I have the front drum brakes off my C10 that are pretty much all new if they are of interest - I 'believe' that they are the same spindle size (good old Chevy) which means that the whole assembly could be put onto your existing spindles.

Also have a 4 speed box if that turns out to be the problem.

Looks like a nice solid starting point, if it is from the chap I am thinking of in Scotland then the work will have been done to a high standard.

If you are not a member already I would suggest joining the 67-72 truck forum as there is some really good advice there.

Subscribed and along for the ride.

P.

[legend]

Mate at work had one with transit power, such a cool shape

[ironmighty07]

Oct 24, 2021 11:29:31 GMT Paul Y said:

I have the front drum brakes off my C10 that are pretty much all new if they are of interest - I 'believe' that they are the same spindle size (good old Chevy) which means that the whole assembly could be put onto your existing spindles.

Also have a 4 speed box if that turns out to be the problem.

Looks like a nice solid starting point, if it is from the chap I am thinking of in Scotland then the work will have been done to a high standard.

If you are not a member already I would suggest joining the 67-72 truck forum as there is some really good advice there.

Subscribed and along for the ride.

P.

Possibly,is the guy you're thinking of called Jim? Might pm you on the gearbox as well.

[ovimor]

Different = Betterer.....

Can Do No Rong There m8 👍


OVIMOR

[ironmighty07]

First delivery of the parts I need to make this a little more usable - mainly seals and associate stuff. Annoyingly the UK supplier was out of stock of locksets and advised they weren't planning/expecting to bring any more in going forward so I've needed to order those direct from the USA(and more annoyingly as it's the Panel Truck I can't get a full matching set to include the rear end doors)




I then find myself in a slight quandary, I absolutely love the exterior patina but equally the interior needs cleaning up as the seats are worn out and there's lots of surface rust etc...



However in tidying up it starts to set the tone for the exterior - do I stick with the blue/grey interior akin to it being as built or do I go down the route of original blue & introduce white rather than the grey/silver....or do I go completely off script with a cream and burgundy colour scheme and eventually repaint the whole truck? Decisions, decisions... and a little inspiration as penance