One significant nightmare scenario for car guys is any project that begins with many boxes of parts as a starting point.
They are a challenge because most of these scattered-piece projects have the same kind of sad ending as Humpty Dumpty.
Jim Sutherland
Robert Pitts is the proud owner of a spanky 1955 Chevy panel truck resto mod that began as a Humpty Dumpty project in many boxes. However, the 71-year-old panel truck has undergone a thorough reconstruction process that put it together again from a ton of pieces and many upgraded parts.
The resto mod list includes a 327 Chevy small block coupled to a 700 R-4 overdrive automatic transmission, Mustang II-style front end, power disc brakes, tilt steering, air conditioning, cruise control, Ford nine-inch rear end, hidden sound with custom speakers that resemble old suitcases in the kick panels, and seats out of a late model Sierra.
In other words, this ‘55 Chevy was built for the modern road and Robert’s goal when he decided to improve it was simple: drive it.
Robert spent about 30 years gathering parts for his Chevy panel and then brought the pieces to talented fabricator Kevin Thompson because Robert wanted the unique ‘55 Chevy truck to be both reliable and very cool. Plus, a lot more than some assembly was required to bring his Humpty Dumpty Chevy truck back on the road.
The panel truck’s body was off the frame and had a big hole in its roof because a former owner used a wood stove to keep warm inside it.
The enormity of Robert’s vision for his vintage panel truck made him decide to use Kevin to achieve his goal. The process took 3 years and did indeed require patience and talent to hit the finish line.
It also required many body parts, including new doors, hood, fenders, rubber weather stripping, and complete glass replacement. Sharp-eyed MyStarCollectorCar readers will also notice the truck’s Corvette rally wheels.
The two-tone paint scheme really works well on the Chevy panel’s body lines and is a blend of Seafoam Green used on 1964 GM products and Ford’s famous Wimbledon White as a contrast color. The net result is a paint combination that is perfect for the ‘55 Chevy panel truck.
Another unique feature on the truck is its custom-designed Chevy Bowtie emblems positioned on the steps into the passenger area on the ‘55 Chevy panel truck.
The net result is a resto mod that was more than Robert wanted in terms of a high-quality build, but he still drives it, although even the undercarriage is also done to a flawless level that could easily use mirrors to showcase its excellence.
Nevertheless, Robert has chosen to drive his 1955 Chevy panel truck whenever and wherever he decides, including a long stretch of gravel road in front of his rural home just to get on pavement.
When MyStarCollectorCar interviewed Robert and his builder Kevin this past June, the stylish resto mod panel truck only had about 200 miles on it since completion, but Robert intended to log plenty more miles behind the wheel in the future.
Sounds like another good idea to us here at MyStarCollectorCar.
Jim Sutherland
BY: Jim Sutherland
Jim Sutherland is a veteran automotive writer whose work has been published by many major print and online publications. The list includes Calgary Herald, The Truth About Cars, Red Deer Advocate, RPM Magazine, Edmonton Journal, Montreal Gazette, Windsor Star, Vancouver Province, and Post Media Wheels Section.
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