1955 Chevy 3100 – Eddie Harker

My Dad, Frank Harker, drove his 1955 Chevy from Chillicothe, IL, to Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City in 1968 where he gave it to me. It was my 2nd vehicle. I restored it there and drove it for 11 years. In 1979 I ordered my 2nd vehicle, a 1980 one ton 4 wheel drive 4 door Dually, which I still drive.

After sitting for 32 years, I started restoring my 55 for the 2nd time in 2012. I finished the restoration four years later in 2016. However, my 55 is setting on a 1983 frame this time. The hood scoop is an Airodinam Shield that goes on the cargo ramp of the C-141 Cargo Jet Aircraft that I crew chief as an aircraft mechanic.

I also installed a 31 gallon Bronco gas tank and 5’3” diameter chrome stacks. I made both bumpers from 1/8” steel and then I covered them with plastic diamond plate that I bought from Menard’s for about $100 for a 4×8 sheet. I did all the work myself, except for sandblasting the frame, bed and cab. I had a glass company install the windshield and back glass. I made the door panels and roof wood panel but I paid $100 each for black Naugahyde trim for the borders of each panel.

I paid for the tires to be mounted on the Cragar chrome rims. I paid $100 each for the 5 clearance lights on top of the cab to be re-chromed. I bought a 1977 Chevy truck for the wiring harness, steering wheel, tailgate hardware, and many other parts. I made the pine floor in the bed from crate 1×10.

I installed a 350 Crate engine. The 1983 frame came with a 350 turbo speed auto transmission. I had a total of $7,288.79 wrapped up in the 2nd restoration.

Thanks to the restoration shows on television for inspiration to start the restoration and LMC Truck and others for the quality parts. I finished my Dad’s 55 on June 19, 2016.