6/05/2013

1: Meet Abbey


World, meet Abbey.

It is important to state here and now I am no mechanic. I hold lights and wrenches while TD works on cars, but mostly I take the photos and make him sandwiches while he has fun doing important automotive stuff.


The actual ad photo for her. What's not to love?

When we bought Abbey (as I've named her) she was to be my run-around-town fun vehicle. My husband being the more practical minded soul that he is, said there would be "things" that would probably come up on the vehicle and I should prepare myself.

 He continued to say that while she looks good and indeed ran well for us when we first went to go see her, all of that seems to change when a vehicle actually rolls up into your own garage.

 He calls it the Old Car Domino Effect.

 I actually thought we would get to drive her all the way back home (2.5 hours) after the purchase. My husband laughed at that. Oh he laughed hard. 

 So after making arrangements, we brought her home this way:
Abbey rolling up at her new home

To start things off (and statistically speaking) Abbey is a...

1949 Chevy 3600 (3/4 ton) pickup truck - 216, Straight Six, 4 Speed Deluxe 
5-window (all original) cab with polished stainless trim.

Mileage (as of 4/26/2013): 47,203 -- These are original miles people!

In 1949 the 2 piece windshield was stationary
-the gas tank was located behind the seat in the cab
-the hood emblem was made of chrome plated steel instead of die cast
-the speedometer needle was changed to red
-the spark plugs were changed to 14mm
-this was final year for lever action shocks

That should satisfy all gear heads. Our intent is to make her a drivable everyday tootle-around-town car for me and not do an overhaul. I like her the way she is. 
We are the third owners: The first being a farmer, and the second being a lovely couple - all from northern Illinois. Both prior owners took very good care of the truck (which shows in the overall condition of the vehicle.) The folks we bought Abbey from rarely drove her but ran her engine regularly and kept her covered in a nice dry garage for 19 years.

To me, Abbey is just neat-O. 
My husband sees a potential project.  
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9 comments:

  1. Sherry6/05/2013

    Thank you for having a site where we can keep tabs on the progress. I want to subscribe to your blog.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous6/05/2013

    What a great idea! I can't wait to see what happens next!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Truck Guy6/05/2013

    Fun!Do you have much restoration to do?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. J.D.6/06/2013

      No, not really! The truck is in great condition. The plan is to make it safe. Thoughts right now are to make sure everything works well, then maybe review things down the road to update. (I wouldn't mind being able to drive over 40mph at some point)

      Delete
  4. Unknown6/05/2013

    I can't wait to meet Abbey!! And to follow your progress thru this blog -- what a great idea!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous6/06/2013

    Jules: Great post...however! Your truck Abbey rates a name, but there is no mention of your husband's name? Hmmmm??? I say once you get Abbey road ready -- you and your no-name husband need to take a road trip and follow historic Route 66 all the way out to L.A. Then drive up the coast to San Francisco and return via I-80 to Illinois. Heck... you can afford to add a little more mileage on your truck!

    Da Bull
    Has been editor of Army Aviation magazine.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Cricut SVG Bundles & Freebies6/08/2013

    I am IN LOVE with Abbey!! Makes me want to go out and buy an old truck :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Juli Dee6/08/2013

      Thanks Lori J! She is a hoot (and I am learning a LOT).

      Delete
  7. Juli Dee6/08/2013

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete

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