Thread: 1958 Dodge utility truck

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Well, the van moved onto a new owner last week who seems very happy with it. That was really a fun build although it blew up into a full resto that I hadn't planned.

So, onto the next conquest! After all the issues with the 48 nothing calms the nerves like pulling a new project into the garage. I found this in Kentucky; its a 58 Dodge utility truck that was retired from a local fire department several years back. Other than some rust here and there and a bad repaint this thing is solid as a rock and runs and drives really nice for a 61 year old truck. 230 inch flathead with a four speed. Not sure what I'm going to do with it yet; the guy i got it from had it licensed and used it for a weekend cruiser. For now I'll probably just put a new factory floor mat in it, replace the dry rotted tires, and find some matching hubcaps.

Neat find! Maybe put a tank and a pump on it and start your very own fire department? It reminds me of the rigs many small town volunteer fire departments used to have for fighting grass fires!

Ah, fix it up and have fun with it.

When I was younger, a fellow had one in town with the regular bed. He
had painted it dark silver with light silver following the crease from
the front to the door and down. Nice job and looked expensive.
Admired that pickup for many years.

The van was a great project and you did great work on it. Cannot wait to see where you take this one. 8-)

How much, as is?

Me likey.

Get back to me after the show season. Gotta enjoy it a little before I sell it.

You always have fun and interesting things to play with in the garage, this is another. A little spiffing up here and there and it could be a looker.

Thanks Bob. It’s definitely different and I like to have something unique at the local shows.
It had some old household carpet that was really nasty so I pulled it out and ordered a factory rubber floor mat. I went ahead and patched a couple spots in the floor and put some por-15 on it to protect it.

So it begins

Yeah; there’s no escape no matter how hard you try.

Wow, did you even take the van to a show? That was fast! The new project is very cool. Definitely unique too. I'm here to watch what you do with this one.

Oh yeah, I took it to several shows last year. Just thought I’d throw it out there while everyone was getting their tax refund money to see if I could get my asking price and it sold right away.

This thing really runs nice, super quiet old flathead. The only serious rust is the passenger door and I found a replacement this weekend that needs a lot less work. I put a new floor mat in, cleaned it up, adjusted the brakes, and ordered some tires. I’m using these Dakota wheels as the original were only 5” wide and I couldn’t get a 235/75/15 on them. Other than replacing the door; that’s about all it needs. (For now)😉

For what ever reason, you just don't see those setting around up here in our area very much. That's cool you found a door pretty easily. It looks like you got one that you may not be restoring for a change?

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Shhhh!!!! It’ll hear you and something major will break. Lol! Yeah no plans for a full blown tear down at this point.

A little fresh rubber gives it a good look.

Heh heh...

That's exactly how the van started