1953 or '58 Chevy Pickup

[.Mark]

Afternoon all, first time in this forum so forgive and stupid questions!

We promised our daughter a VW Camper as a graduating gift and she was pleased. Until she saw locally a 1953 Chevy Pickup, soon her mind was changed that she wanted an old pick up and has done some internet research and has decided on a 1953 or 1958 model.

Now I've always hankered after a lovely old American vehicle so I am actually quite pleased - and trips down the tip will be so much easier!

Does anyone have advice for me? I trained as a mechanic and still have plenty of mates in the trade so that's all good, but I'm thinking of more where to buy, specifics to look out for etc. Are there any places around Hampshire that do this kind of thing!?

[.Mark]

No one?

[plasticpig]

You could try PM'ing 53Chevy he has a 53 truck.

[.Mark]

plasticpig said:

You could try PM'ing 53Chevy he has a 53 truck.

Thanks - bit of a collection he has there!

[Todzilla]

If you're looking for American garage (and sales come to think of it) go and see Billy at the North American Motor Co in Farnborough. He's looking after my '64 Lincoln as we speak actually. He's a brilliant bloke and the place is full of the kind of knowledge you're after.

http://www.northamericanmotorco.com/


Enjoy!

[.Mark]

Top call thanks! Just up the road too.

[.Mark]

What a nice bunch, just spent about half an hour on the phone to Paul there. Although they don't really sell stuff the knowledge was really useful, and he invited me up to look at some of the customers cars they have in too.

Thanks for the heads up.

[Todzilla]

If you go there by Saturday morning you'll see my Lincoln covering the place in oil!

[.Mark]

Todzilla said:

If you go there by Saturday morning you'll see my Lincoln covering the place in oil!

Not likely to be this weekend, daughter currently works both days. Will make a trip sometime soon though

[Schmeeky]

Hmmm..

'53


...or '58?



I always thought the '58 was a bit of an ugly bugger, but they do look good with a few mods - although I reckon they've gone a bit too far with this one!

The '53 is much more a classic shape, IMHO, and takes a bit of modification much better..

Mind you, either would be an extremely cool vehicle for a young lass to be seen about the place in!

[.Mark]

True, prefer the '53 myself, and will probably begin by looking for one of those. But you know, I'd have any old yank motor - I love them!

[TheMighty]

With the insurance companies getting a bit tighter about younger drivers is your your daughter actually going to be able to insure a classic yank in the current climate? I know a few younger yank owners have had more trouble getting sorted out in the last year or so and only managed it because they'd got good experience of driving big left hookers on uk roads.

[.Mark]

Good point and I have given this a little thought. Current plan is to insure it as a classic, so low mileage etc. it's not something she will drive every day, rarely probably. I'm hoping that will bring it down, plus the bonus of not needing NCB for a classic policy.

[TheMighty]

Its not become a question of "how much?" anymore it seems Mark. Virtually all American cars attract a classic insurance policy even when they're not actually old, but it seems that the specialist companies are now very concerned with how much experience younger drivers have when it comes to driving left hand drive cars over here and of course big V8 left hookers at that. Have heard a few people that have been told "sorry can't do it for you now" in the last few months. Although if she really wants one I'm sure where there is a will there is a way.

[.Mark]

Got you Mighty - see where you are coming from now. Will certainly be ringing round when we are looking at a purchase. I'd like her to get her own policy ASAP but guess as she will be a rare driver - as anyone in my family will be of it, perhaps named on another policy might be a plan.