C15A Restoration

[robbby84]

Dear all,

I'm Rob from Italy and this is our last project on going: Chevrolet C15A.

It comes from north Italy and, excluding some post war modification (CH4 propelled instead of gasoline) it's seems like a time capsule.

[robbby84]

Then, after two years after bringing it at home, the restoration begins:

[robbby84]

The dismounting continues...

[robbby84]

The cab goes to sandblasting

[m606paz]

Hi Roberto
Great project!
Lovely truck.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Nice project, Rob!

Good to see CMPs like this surfacing and under restoration

[maple_leaf_eh]

Looks good! And so glad to see one that isn't completely eaten by rust.

[robbby84]

Thank you all for your support!

Me, my father and my brother are working (as an hobby) the best we can, using poor toolings but trying to do the best with the least possible

We're not mechanics, only passionate


And now a little wash, just to remove 70 years old mud

[robbby84]

I forgot to say this: when we bought it, we cannot say if it runs or not.
There were no way to test it.... but, after a general check:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_xD6t4vOBQ

[robbby84]

It starts looking better:

[robbby84]

Yes, I konw: for sure something (or all ) could be done better.

I don't like putty: I prefer to leave trace of history on our vehicles. They have been saved from scrap to get the opportunity to tell their stories.
All scraps and dents are linked to an episodes... I prefer to have a not perfect body but original...

My tought that should not be the right tought

[robbby84]

Engine checked, cleaned and back to the truck!

[m606paz]

Your assembly more fast than factory line!!

[Alex van de Wetering]

Rob,

Lovely project......and great progress.

I agree with you on the use of filler.....I also rather keep some of the small dents and rust-pitting as part of the vehicle's history, in stead of using filler. but if I weld in new metal in cab panels, I do try to make the result as smooth as possible.....and grind and sand the welds.

Was the radiator still usable? Or did you have it re-cored?

[robbby84]

Originally Posted by m606paz

Your assembly more fast than factory line!!

Pictures are referring to two years of saturday works

[Bob Carriere]

You have done a very good restoration job....... brings back fond memories just scrolling through your postings.

Thanks for posting all the pictures.

Bob C

[robbby84]

Originally Posted by Alex van de Wetering

Rob,

...but if I weld in new metal in cab panels, I do try to make the result as smooth as possible.....and grind and sand the welds.

Was the radiator still usable? Or did you have it re-cored?

Alex, thank you for your feedback and yes, definetely, I'm according to you saying that if new metal is necessary, we tried to do the repair not "bubba style" but as smooth as we can.
Some panels was compromised and so, we saved what was possible and made brand new all the rest, like for the cab rear panel:

[robbby84]

Don't know if it's normal (standard) or not but, on a vehicle made in Canada by General Motors, branded Chevrolet on the front grill, I found several FORD parts, like the transfer and brakes ( an the dimensions of brake pads impressed me)

[robbby84]

Originally Posted by Alex van de Wetering

Rob,

Was the radiator still usable? Or did you have it re-cored?

The radiator seems to be usable. I refill the cooling system and no leakage apparentely.
Only the road will give the final feedback

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by robbby84

Don't know if it's normal (standard) or not but, on a vehicle made in Canada by General Motors, branded Chevrolet on the front grill, I found several FORD parts, like the transfer and brakes ( an the dimensions of brake pads impressed me)

Correct, all CMPs had Ford brake parts. And they are well dimensioned and work very well.

[robbby84]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Correct, all CMPs had Ford brake parts. And they are well dimensioned and work very well.

Thank you Hanno

Unfortunately I think that my master brake pump is not servable anymore.
Is there a place where to find something usable or a good alternative?

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by robbby84

Unfortunately I think that my master brake pump is not servable anymore.
Is there a place where to find something usable or a good alternative?

Hello Rob,

Try to find a company that can re-sleeve it for you, as they are not available new and NOS is hard to find.

See Replacement Chevrolet master cylinder for some alternatives.

[robbby84]

Thank you Hanno.

Usually I bring master pumps to a company near my house that refurbish pumps and brake cylinders. Ones in pictures were made by them, including the nwe brake pads.
But this time I think the pump could not be saved and reused, but I'll try anyway.
I didn't find the hydrovac on my truck: is this used on C15A or not?

[Grant Bowker]

The C15A does not use a hydrovac. Chevrolet CMP only used vacuum assist on 60 cwt models (including artillery tractor).

[robbby84]

Originally Posted by Grant Bowker

The C15A does not use a hydrovac. Chevrolet CMP only used vacuum assist on 60 cwt models (including artillery tractor).

Thanks Grant. I was asking about the hydrovac because I found one in the rear bed and wondering if it was installed and then removed or not.

One less thing to fix

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by robbby84

Alex, thank you for your feedback and yes, definetely, I'm according to you saying that if new metal is necessary, we tried to do the repair not "bubba style" but as smooth as we can.
Some panels was compromised and so, we saved what was possible and made brand new all the rest, like for the cab rear panel:
....

It can't be a true to the original CMP restoration unless the steel was made by Dofasco in Hamilton, Ontario. wink wink

Nice to see such dramatic progress on your project.

[Paul Edwards]

Nice truck Robby,

Similar state of repair to mine, keep up the good work.

Cheers,


Paul

[robbby84]

Hi everyone

a little update: after four years, something is moving a little step over to the end....

Hope to see it finished soon

[Alex van de Wetering]

The Chev is looking excellent, Rob!

Is the 500F also yours? We also have 2 in the garage.