VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Trucks and Vans WHY isn't there? or does it exsist

I am a brand spanking new VCCA member and as I read through the different forums it has occured to me, more than once the question:

Why isnt there one single book, document that you can purchase to show you all the factory/OEM specifications for that years make and model. I just purchased a 1951 Chevy 1/2 pick up truck and need to know all the details, e.g. shifter knob color, chrome or black knobs on window cranks, engine color, cab interior color, NO not some guess, the original PPG or DuPont number use.
All in the good effort to restore my truck? NOT hot or Rat rod it but put it back as it came off the assembly line in Norwood, Ohio with an engine from the Tonawanda Plant.
Perhaps this does exsist? other wise I'll be here 1000 times asking all of you these things. smile.
Sorry to be so Blunt.

DaC
Firstly welcome to Chatter.
Most of the information that you mentioned comes from genuine GM literature in private collections and those members have only retained items pertaining to the model of the vehicles they own although some do have literature on several models.
You are welcome to return as many times as you wish and there are really no silly questions and most of us here dont give silly answers though there is quite often some tongue in cheek humour.
Tony

There are also Technical Advisors listed in the club magazine, The Generator & Distributor who will be glad to help you out. These are members that have a special interest in a particular year or model or assembly (such as radios, carburetors, gauges, etc) and have collected original material over the years to document the information and have volunteered their time to assist other members.

Another reason the "Dream Answer Book" doesn't exist is because some of the answers are just not out there, or there are twenty different answers to the same question. Chevrolet used hundreds of different factories over the years, and quite often the same product did not come out of two different factories. Parts were sourced locally by various factories, and in some instances (ie: low production) records were not kept as to how things were made. Picture a hand made wood body for a 1941 station wagon. Was each part built the same, using the same # of screws in the same place? Likely not, as each body was hand made, then made to fit a chassis. When we get to the judged shows, paint colours are often a source of discussion. Some people argue "It came from the factory that way" and quite likely it did. If the factory in Oakland ran out of flat grey paint for the underside of a dashboard in 1934, Do you think they would halt production to wait for the right paint, or throw on something a different shade that was there. A situation like that would never be documented, as they were not too worried about how we were going to judge their work eighty years later. Another example is the poor folks restoring the mish mash of parts and trim pieces used in 1942 and 1946 production. We learn new stuff every day with these old cars, and the most up to date place to find the information is here on the net. Granted, if you want to take a stab at writing the book, you can start with Oshawa produced '51's, and I'll buy your first copy!!

And to add to the lack of info, here in Aus the records library at GMH was destroyed by fire in the 1950's so the only existing info for prior to the fire is in private hands.
Tony

DaC, what fun would it be to have a all-knowing, all-seeing book that would tell you how to rebuild your truck? Half of the fun of having and rebuilding one, is learning and doing. There is a wealth of information on the internet to assist you in rebuilding your truck. Word of advice? Don't believe everything you read on the net. Draw from those who have been there, done that! Seek out forums such as this one and observe! Do your homework, research your specific model and it will pay off! The best source for information is original documentation! Those who own it will gladly share it. Look for websites that use original GM documents and take them as gospel. Find and buy original "owner's manuals, shop manuals, sales brochures" etc. Look for old pictures of your vehicle, as they will enlighten you. Your '51 truck is probably one of the most documented vehicles that Chevy ever made. Repop parts abound for it, but use caution if and when you decide to buy a repop part vs. cleaning up or repairing an original, because 99% of the repop stuff is Chinese crap! Read the forums and make a decision as to which vendor you think has the best customer service and is willing to make those ill-fitting parts work for you.

There are several AD truck experts on this site, so listen to them. Search the "Stovebolt" site too, as well as the "Classic Parts" site (my home away from home)! Throw away the notion that you need an all-knowing book!

First and foremost! Enjoy your truck! Rome wasn't built in a day and your truck doesn't have to be either.

Ken, I know the Stovebolt site but what is the "Classic Parts" site you speak of??? Some links for the new guys might help also. Like http://www.stovebolt.com/ .
Tks
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Hey Denny, Classic Parts is the old Chevy Duty site. www.classicparts.com

I would like to add a question to this discussion. If there is not a lot of detailed information around then what is used in judging? Are there reference documents used for judging these vehicles?

Answer to the above....yes ans no.

Best to start your own literature collection. This would include the shop manual, owners manual, accessory books, Engineering manual and Service News. Sometimes necessary to get the previous years and the next years Engineering and Serv. News + a parts book.