Project StoveBolt

Never knew why we called these old Chevy Trucks StoveBolts. As a kid you just take it for granted that when your Elders tell you something, that is just what it is. As you grow older you learn that some things just arn't the facts you learned from early on. The StoveBolt is one of those, but the Name is Cool so it sticks anyway. History shows us that StoveBolt is a name given to Chevy's Old Overhead Six, which by far predates the body style of this Old Chevy Truck. So how did Ray Heath, Bob Trego, Roy Burns, .. and the rest of the Old Moter Heads we use to hang around come up with the Name of StoveBolt for these Old Chevy Trucks. Well as I myself somehow became the Old Moter Head, they're all gone, the Old Timers, my Cousins, my Dad. Anyhow, it is probably Chevy's fault that these Old Chevy Trucks were slanged StoveBolts. With the dawn of Chevy's V8 [sic] Chevy gave both their cars and trucks radical new facelifts, only in the case of the truck, if you wanted a six you still got the old body style, and that old body style with the Chevy six lasted through several new V8 bodys. Thus StoveBolt was probably ment as an insult, that has now turned around, "Oh you only got a StoveBolt, well I've got a V8..." Of course today finding an Old StoveBolt that still has a StoveBolt in her is rare, as a desired body of HotRodders, todays StoveBolts often sport V8's. Our StoveBolt Owners StoveBolt being no exception, one mighty fine V8, with no expence spared.

 
Our StoveBolt Project arived a Basket Case. Her owner has had many years invested in her, a lot of time and obvously a lot of money, with a lot more money earmarked for this project. Only, a problem arose, a famly member fell ill, and the money was needed for medical expences. True I disagree with the high prices of medical, but the life of a Loved one is worth whatever it takes, the sacrifice of a piece of iron is only minor. Our StoveBolt Owner had some radical plans for his Chevy Truck, but those are no more. He even went as far as to try to sell her, but in todays market, that only ment giving her away. Allass he elected to file her away in storage somewhere, that is untill he learned that we are glad to work with people on small, but steady budgets. A couple hundred a month dosn't amount to a lot of work, but it sure beats paying for her just to sit. This StoveBolt is not our first Budget Rod, and I'm shure she won't be our last.

 
Budget Rod turned Abondoned Rod. Six months and not a word, not another penny, and why I havent filed for the title I don't know, guess I don't like turning someones dream into a bad memory, but how long do I suffer the hardship of suffering someone eleses ride, rent, utilities, to say nothing of time and materials spent, all while I still live on a garage floor with a dangerously empty fridge. Seven months our StoveBolt Owner finaly re-surfaced. Somewhere he spent a month in the Hospital himself but says he is back on his feet and wants to finish his Rod. Feals a little better to have waited... "Checks in the Mail" three weeks and waiting, but most know that I have no love for the iresponcible US Mail. Yes I do apreciate the Appology in Writting given me by the US Post Maste General, but apoligys do not fix problems. Is my customer mistaken about sending the check, or is the US Mail still screwing up; three years and counting?