Two weeks ago I took delivery of yet another project, a 1954 Chevy pickup. It's a 3100 1/2 ton, to be precise. She's mine in trade for a web site I put together a few years ago for The Service Station down in Albuquerque. She's not pretty, but I absolutely love her.

I'm not a gear head, but I love this truck and am going to learn all I can. Here's a little of what I do know so far. She's powered by 235-c.i. straight 6 cylinder engine. In 1954 Chevy introduced hydraulic lifters and a pressurized oil system to some of their 235s but I'm not sure if this is case with my truck. The "bull nose" grill was unique to the '54 and '55 1st series models. This was the last full year for the Advanced Design trucks which most folks picture when thinking of classic pickups. In the second half of '55, Chevy introduced some major design changes and the first V8 engines in their trucks. I'll never know all that this truck's been through but I've enjoyed imagining what times were like for past it's previous drivers. At one point the truck was in the service of the Texas State Highway Department. I've imagined the truck driving on the first Eisenhower-era interstate highways. I'm sure it has bounced along plenty of straight as an arrow tar-and-gravel state highways. The original seafoam green paint job was painted over with a quick and crude silver coat. Paul from the Service Station bought the truck from someone over on the East side of the Sandias, Moriarty I think. At the time, the truck had been sitting just outside a barn for several years. The bed was in pieces and had been prepped and primed, but never reassembled. Paul had had this truck for 7 or 8 years now. He was kind enough to have the transmission rebuilt, new glass installed, and he threw on a new set of tires too. He spent a bit of time to get her running, and in my opinion, she runs pretty well. Here in the summertime with the choke out she starts up on the first or second try and idles nicely. Amy and I have driven around the neighborhood several times and are getting a feel for the clutch. If you don't let it out quick it's herky jerky time. A few oddities, at least for someone who's never driven anything this old, include:

• Turn key then push button ignition
• Gas tank's in the cab, behind the back seat
• Battery is in a box under the cab, below the passenger's feet

The cab isn't much to look at, it's covered by a kaleidoscope of past paint jobs and rust. While I hope to get her looking like this someday, right now I just want to put her back together and tool around town on the weekends. With this in mind, here's the game plan:

1. Sand off some of the surface rust that's formed on the bed sides and re-prime.
2. Seal the wood planks for the bed, assemble, and install the bed.
3. Wire up the taillights, fix the turn signals.
4. Fix the parking brake, it doesn't stay engaged.
5. Fix the windshield wipers, motor may need replacement.

I'll register and insure her once these things are addressed. I picked up a pretty good how to book which distinguishes between restoration and renovation projects. This is definitely a renovation project and even if I had the time and money to do a frame up restoration, my garage is too small to store the parts and my marriage would likely fall into jeopardy if I spend too much time on this. I'll post updates as I go. Owen's volunteered to help and after we get her road worthy, we'll start work on prepping and priming the cab, fenders, and hood. The cab interior will need a lot of TLC, but a seat cover will have to do for now. Wish us luck.