The Story So Far.
I’ve always wanted an American pick up, just like you see them in the movies. I think there great. About 5 years ago I bought a HJ Holden Ute on E Bay for 1,500 bucks as a test run in restoring my first vehicle. I've done a lot of timber work but I'm not such a good mechanic. Thank god for big brothers and mates.
Lyn my big bro is a car racer with an enormous garage and hoist! Thanks to a recent sale of the 356 Porsche, there is a spare bay. I have spent many years pit crewing for Lyn at race meetings and that has always inspired me to get involved with cars and racing. My first delve into racing was with a 125 Superkart.
My mate Sean, welder, panel beater and mechanic extraordinaire is my savour with all things mechanical.
Any way back to the Ute.
It had a lot of rust in the doors and both corners on the front windscreen, brakes and steering were well worn for the 300,00km it had travelled.
Thanks to Sean’s welding and panel beating experience the body was completely repaired and resprayed by Ross, my next door neighbour, a professional car restorer.
Brakes and all rubber seals have been replaced and according to the previous owner the gearbox had a problem with first gear, this turned out to be the lack of fluid in the gearbox!
The motor has had a tune, fresh oil and is still running like a charm.
The electrics needed a new battery and main wire to the starter motor, which burnt out while I was down the street, the only time in 5 years she has held me up.
She's still my work horse going to the tip with my two four legged mates Jilly and Buddy my two Jack Russel terrier bitsers and to pick up all the newbits for the Chevy.
The Inspiration.
Stalone's 'Expendables' Pick Up.
The Search.
I've spent the last twelve months travelling with work, so plenty of time to read car magazines. The Australian Chevies I saw in the magazines were pretty expensive and most in pretty poor condition, so a lot of work.
I was invited to my wife’s niece’s wedding in Lilydale, Victoria. The wedding cars were a Chevy and a Mustang. I got talking to the owner and he suggested I try talking to David King at American Used in Tyabb.
I'd seen David’s ads in Just Cars, so I gave him a call and described the vehicle I was looking for. A round nosed Chevy pre 55 Pickup. He said to leave it with him while he put the feelers out in America. He came back with a 55 Chevy but it had a lot of modifications, so we decided to keep looking.
A couple of weeks later he came back to me with the 55 Series One, 3100 Deluxe Cab Pickup, in California, totally original. David said he would send Kenny out to inspect and make sure it was the real deal. Just after he arrived two other guys arrived to inspect it and there was another inquiry on the phone. Kenny made the offer on the spot and the deal was done.
Fate - really, she was destined for Adelaide, Australia.
