Truck Restoration

[JESSE1]

After 3 years of working on the mechanicals, my '59 White is finally in the body shop. It's not going to have a body-off restoration but I think it's going to turn out very well. The new color will be the factory Cleveland red like it was originally painted when Dad drove. No corrosion problems except for the front of the right fender where they will cut out and weld in a repair patch. The shop foreman said they were enjoying working on a steel truck. He said the fenders looked like they belonged on a tank. Very heavy gauge steel that's nowhere to be found today.

 

[powerstroke444e]

Sweet!!!!!!!!! Can't wait to see it when your finished. Your very lucky to live south of the rust belt as you can't find a 5 yr old truck with out rust on it around here.

 

[BOBBYROGERS]

keep us posted that's a cool project and it's has to be more fun just because it was your dad's

 

[WantedWolf]

Thats gonna be a great machine, Do you have a specific plan or task for it when finished? Not that you need one for a truck like that And if your like me I guess it might never be finished, theres always something else to do and it is a tank, I cant wait to see the pics

 

[JohnDeere4300]

Very nice truck!

That color will look nice.....Post the pics when its done

 

[JESSE1]

Thats gonna be a great machine, Do you have a specific plan or task for it when finished? Not that you need one for a truck like that And if your like me I guess it might never be finished, theres always something else to do and it is a tank, I cant wait to see the pics

You're right, it probably will never be finished. Definately a money pit. I've taken it to several tractor shows and it attracts a lot of attention. I use it to pull my gooseneck trailer and to haul feed. Mostly I have it because I always wanted it, even when Dad drove it back in the '60's. Not often you can find a truck this old that you rode in when it was new, although I was only 3 years old at the time. I also have my '57 to complete. It's going to be painted red also.

 

[WantedWolf]

Good man, you gotta use it for more than only showing off
Heck ya pulling that sweet GN of yours would be great, I see you painted it, right?

 

[WilliamBos]

Nice. Keep the pics coming!!

 

[EddieWalker]

Jesse,

Nice to see you start a thread on your truck. It's really a unique vehicle and I'm looking forward to seeing your progress. Hopefully I'll even be able to see it in person one day when you're at anther show.

Eddie

 

[JESSE1]

Eddie, it's at Carl Owens paint and body on East Erwin in Tyler. I should have it at the Lone Star Antique tractor club show at Whitehouse in September.

I visited the body shop today to check progress. They're finishing up the body work and plan to spray color Wednesday. They had sprayed a color sample of the White factory Cleveland Red and it's exactly the shade of red that I wanted. About all that's needed now is for them to pull the shutters and blast them and clean up a few places on the bed.

I plan on going back Friday and maybe I'll have some better pictures to show. They'll have to install the trim and glass and spray bedliner on the top of the bed so it's probably going to be late next week before it's finished.

 

[Renze]

I love this style of truck !!

I already have too many projects, but i'd love to have a Dodge Power Wagon, make it very nice, convert it to Diesel and use it for towing... I love the round cabs of the 50's.
However, being realistic, i'll never finish a project like that, so i shouldnt start it

 

[Paystar]

Very nice truck. I love the old ones. That's what got me into this business. I'm glad to see people keeping the old legends alive. The industry is so depressingly bad the last few years (and it will never be the same) it's nice to see something like that to bring back some good memories.
Keep up the good work!

 

[JESSE1]

Visited the shop today. They're almost ready to paint the cab. The doors and door jams are painted but masked off. I did get a peek at the final color and it's exactly the red I wanted. Probably be another two weeks until it's finished, the top of the bed and battery boxes will be sprayed with bed liner and all glass and trim will have to be installed.

 

[EddieWalker]

It sure is going to be bright!!!!

I almost feel silly asking you this, but do you have a class A license? I heard from a guy that I don't have allot of faith in that you didn't need a special license to drive antiques on the road, or that they fall under the same laws as modern vehicles. I don't know either way, so I'm sharing my ignorance.

Eddie

 

[JESSE1]

Eddie, I've had my CDL since I was 18 years old. I took my driving test in a new '75 White Freightliner with a 325 Cat and 13 speed trans. I don't drive for a living but I intend to keep it renewed. The truck is registered as a Farm Truck which is how I use it, hauling feed, hay and my tractor.

I'm not sure what's required to drive antiques. It's not that hard to get a CDL and then you can drive what you want without worry. Just make sure you get an air brake endorsment so you can legally drive any truck.

 

[Builder]

Great job! Can't wait to see it!

 

[DIRTROAD]

I love it!!!! This is what I am going to build one day. Thanks for keeping the old iron alive!!!

 

[JESSE1]

Anyone who's interested in vintage trucks needs to join American Truck Historical Society There's a great discussion forum and you get a very good bi-monthly magazine, Wheels of Time, that's full of articles about vintage trucks and trucking. Also has a classified section with trucks and equipment for sale. You'll find out about trucks that you never knew existed.

 

[herringchoker]

Jesse - you have a cuople of classics there. Your pictures bring back memories of a local freight carrier who ran a 100% White fleet in the '50's and early '60's (before being bought out). Standing at the roadside waiting for the school bus (a '51 Reo and later a '55 Mercury) I was always impressed by the WC's with the "White Mustang Power" name plates on the hood sides. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Builder]

Very nice truck. I love the old ones. That's what got me into this business. I'm glad to see people keeping the old legends alive. The industry is so depressingly bad the last few years (and it will never be the same) it's nice to see something like that to bring back some good memories.
Keep up the good work!

Man ain't that the truth.