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1952 Chevy - A family heirloom


Otis Nice

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Looking awesome.

 

Thanks. More work has been done. Even closerer...

 

She needs cleaned but the goal is to be "done" by Sunday for some fam pics.

 

 

The bed is done.

 

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The tailgate is on along with the taillights.

 

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The running boards, door cards, and more are done.

 

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The side view mirror and trim pieces are installed.

 

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...and my boys helped their papaw install the front bumper.

 

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ALMOST DONE!

 

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Edited by Otis Nice
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Thanks, Gill.

 

Holy shit...that bottom pic is a perfect setting for this truck.

 

Thanks. That pic was the 8th or 9th I took from that spot. Kept getting shitty glare and light interference. Was like, "this lighting sucks." Dad goes and turns off the lights on that end of the pole barn so the only ones on are behind me and the ones on the other side through that doorway on the left. I thought about shutting the door but I wanted to capture the moment as it was. Tools still below the front bumper, everything a mess, etc. Asked mom to kill the lights to the larger side on the left and the light through the doorway issues was resolved. Snapped one and knew I had what I was looking for. Helps to have friends who are better at photography and just reading/seeing how they set up shots sometimes.

 

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I wasn't home when dad came by but shortly after my brother texted me a pic of him and mom headed down the driveway in the very truck they dated in some ~40 years ago.

Edited by Otis Nice
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IT'S "DONE"!!!

 

There's still some minor things left to do and she still needs good and cleaned so I'll have a couple pics here and there after this but it's DONE! Dad took mom, his younger sister who remembers the truck from when she was younger, myself, and my brother, for rides today. Man was it a great seeing the smile on his face as he drove around and reminisced telling me stories I've heard a hundred times before. It just felt better this time around.

 

In dad's words:

 

"My 1952 five window Chevrolet 3100 project that started five years ago before I retired is finished. This is for those of you who have been following my son’s posts.

 

It started as a coincidence where I happened to be with my grandfather, Ivan Grooms, as he went to look at the truck for sale at the West Union Fire Department in Adams County in 1972. We were visiting him and Mamaw on our last vacation as a family before we were to go with my father who was being stationed overseas. Granddad, as we all called him, bought the truck for $300 and took it to use on his farm.

 

When we returned from overseas Christmas of ’75 the truck wasn’t running and the brakes didn’t work. My father, CMSgt William Nelson, fixed the brakes, got it running, and offered to buy it off Granddad but Granddad ended up giving it to him. He drove it nearly 600 miles back to McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey. At the time the trucks top speed was roughly 55 miles per hour. It was his daily driver as an EOD Master Blaster until he retired from the Air Force in the late 70’s. After his service he returned to Ohio where he would drive it without issue. At times I would take Sharon out on dates in the truck. Eventually it was driven less and less until it basically sat idle.

 

In the late 80’s I acquired the truck when dad moved to Indiana to pastor a church. Randy William rode in the truck once early on in his life but only around the block. The floors had rusted out by this time, it had a few other problems, and it wasn’t safe to drive very far. I began the off frame restoration in 2015. The original mileage to this day is 37,176 but that number will grow as I enjoy the truck with my wife, kids, and other family and friends.

 

I would like to personally thank my wife, sons, and all the other family members and friends who have helped with everything from lifting the cab and bed on and off the frame, helping me learn to weld, helping me learn to do body work and paint, and everything in between. This is a labor of love and I’m ecstatic to see it done."

 

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Awesome story and build. And that truck is cool as fuck :cool:

 

Thanks, man.

 

 

So while waiting for a few minor parts to come in for the '52 dad talks to his cousin who grew up turning wrenches with him. HIS son has a C3 and the head gaskets on the 350 went apparently so he's considering buying a 383 off a buddy. Now dad wants to go to Jacksonville, FL to get the 350 for a rebuild for the next project. lol. Not even COMPLETELY done with the '52 and he's ready to get rolling again.

 

...I'm gonna have to start another build thread.

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HOT TAKE....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I don't like the wheels/tires. <3

 

Would love to see some white/chrome skinnies, maybe with a retro-looking tread. Kinda like Jesse James' '58 Apache. :)

 

But obviously I'm a fan.

Edited by zeitgeist57
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The wheels aren't done. Orig style caps are on their way.

 

As I think I said earlier those tires are about $200 apiece. These tires came free from you. Lol

 

Dad didn't want to drop nearly a grand on tires right now for something that MIGHT see a few hundred miles a year. He has and is saving the 15" wheels if he ever wants to go that route but more than anything he wanted it on the road.

 

I'm sure the budget builder in you can appreciate that. ;)

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The wheels aren't done. Orig style caps are on their way.

 

As I think I said earlier those tires are about $200 apiece. These tires came free from you. Lol

 

Dad didn't want to drop nearly a grand on tires right now for something that MIGHT see a few hundred miles a year. He has and is saving the 15" wheels if he ever wants to go that route but more than anything he wanted it on the road.

 

I'm sure the budget builder in you can appreciate that. ;)

 

fyea.gif

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Looking at the pictures on page 1 and the "finished" product...what a turnaround. You guys should be very proud of yourselves. Such a great story and project. Congratulations!

 

Thanks. The history of this truck in our fam is what sets it apart from all others. The next project will be fun and also gain some of that as Kev and I will once again be building it with dad.

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