1948 Thriftmaster

[BillM]

Well, it'a new year so I figured I'd start with a new build! Here's some pictures of our 1948 Chev Thriftmaster shortbox 3 window. I'd been on a lookout for a truck for quite a while, and found this one - in downtown Toronto! I'm told it was originally an american truck, but can only trace records back to a museum in Chatham ON, then a couple of different owners closer to me. It's sitting on 4 ply nylon tires, so this thing has been off the road for a long time! The sheet metal and frame seem to be extremely good. It has some dents, but very little rot. Right now, my plans (tentatively) call for MII front suspension, triangulated 4 link in the back, with a static drop of about 7 or 8 inches, and LS power. We hope to leave the exterior just as it looks (minus the dents) and do the interior up real nice. Here's some pictures of it coming home a couple of years ago, settling in, and the last couple of days of cleanup and inspection. In spite of being retired, this won't be the fastest build ever - I just enjoy this part of the process too much!

[BillM]

Settling in....

[BillM]

Cleanup and inspection of the interior...

[forbigpicture]

Pretty solid looking truck, looking forward to see what you do
with it......nice shop also....

[Skip]

It looks like it was in good company out behind the barn.

You're off to a good start.

[joedoh]

i would love to start with something that nice!!

thats a 47, maybe not on the title but 47 is center rear mount cab with gas tank outside the frame.

interested to see what you do with it!

[BillM]

Thanks JD. I'm just going by the registration, which says it's a 1948. Either way, it's exactly what we were looking for - an AD, short box, 3 window, excellent patina, and an early one with that awesome name - Thriftmaster - a lot like the new owner!
Found one more pic...

[skull]

sounds like a good plan, cudo's on keepin' the patina, it looks good that way

happy building

Later

[lowbudget50]

The 48 gmc I did was a center cab mount and o.s. fuel tank. I wonder if they where left over 47s sold as 48s??

Very nice start !!!

[kenny c]

Wow it"s in really nice shape.