57 Chevy Pick-up

1957 Chevy Pick-up, 1/2 ton, small window

When the Nomad’s build completion was in sight, I started looking for a 57 Chevy truck for my next project, but most I had found had been restored already and cost too much. Or they had work started which almost all included a front clip from something or another and none had been grafted on very well. Then one day in May 06 while reading the Bob Ford Chevy list, I saw a listing for a "1957 Chevy series 3100 1/2 ton short bed pickup truck. Has small rear window, bumper guards and turn signals.". Jerry Whitfield, an auto dealer in North Carolina had just acquired it form the past owner of 36 years, Gene Moose and was looking to sell it. The truck had been sitting since 1989 and after the normal e-mailed questions were behind us a deal was made and a deposit was sent.

At high noon Thursday, June 22, 2006, my buddy Jim and I left headed south with car hauler in tow and cash in pocket. It was a uneventful trip and by Sunday afternoon we were back home on Cape Cod Mass; we were in and out of North Carolina so fast we didn’t even get any BBQ!

UP-DATE: Feb 25, 2019, Progress has been slow the past several years due to a multiple of life's events including the sad passing of both my in-laws. Work on the truck continues, just at a slower pace because we now spend half the year back in So Calif. taking care of things.

Check out the pages below for details on the work under way

This is what the 57 looked like in May of 2006. It was this group of images I saw and decided to buy the truck from. They were taken on the owners farm in North Carolina.

In The Beginning

November 28th, 2008 work officially began with the disassembly of the front end. Hood, fenders, engine and tranny, all are gone in preparation of the new front suspension, power disc brakes, 350 EFI small block and 350TH transmission. Work continued with the removal of everything out of the cab.

Work Begins

Installation of the new suspension and drive train has began by adding the Mustang II IFS with power rack and pinion and power disc brakes all from Classic Performance Products (CPP) and made by Total Cost Involved (TCI).

Front Suspension & Drive Train

Removal of the rear bumper, fenders and bed, all of which will be replaced. The axle is to be replaced with a 79- 81 Camaro rear axle with a 3.08 ratio and posi- traction. A new 25 gallon gas tank from a mid 80's Blazer is going to be fitted in as well.

Rear Suspension & Gas Tank

Shifting gears from what we have been working on to repairing the rusted sheet metal and beginning with the cab. Starting on the right side door step, lower door hinge area and rear cab corner. Left side repairs also made as well as the removal of the gas filler neck.

Sheet Metal Work

Lots of visual progress was made with the assembly of the new bed. The bed floor is a modified unit from a mid-70's truck. A 50's Ford bumper and a 60's tow hitch is going on.

New Bed, Bumper & a Tow Hitch

A lot of work has gone ito the back of the truck to make it look more up to date, clean and finished. The ends of the bed have been rounded and flow into the tailgate. The old chains have been removed and replaced with bear claw latches and support cables. The gaps have been closed up.

Tailgate

Decided on what tail lights would be utilized, these 33 Chevy Sedan lights look excellent! But of coarse not that easy to install, see how it was done.

Tail Lights

More visual progress was made with the assembly of the new 55 -56 front clip from LMC. The new hood was made by melding the original 57 hood and a 58 - 59 hood. We still have an average of a 57 pick up.

New Front End & Custom Hood

The engine came from a 1989 Cargo Van and is a 350 four bolt main with Throttle Body Injection (TBI). No major work is planed for the engine as we know it runs well and only cosmetic changes will be made. Keeping with our plan to keep the truck stock appearing, then engine will be dressed in mid 50's apparel.

The Engine