VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Trucks and Vans 1930 Chevrolet AD Universal - Canopy Express Truck

Being a fan of the antiques for a long time now, I have always enjoyed looking at, reading about, and checking them out whnever I could. Always thought it would be cool to won one, in its original state. Granted the Hot Rods are cool, but the originality and simplicity of the original state has always intrigued me. I have scanned the classifieds, the online ads and auctions, in general jsut seeing what is out there not being in a rush to get anything. Recently gcame across an ad for a 1930 Chevrolet Universal AD - Canopy Express Truck/ Huckster partially restored and it caught my attention. Was unique in a way all its own. So I contacted the seller and inquired...

Well after a few weeks of working with the seller, finding and setting up transport, and getting all the ducks in a row, the truck was finally delivered Yesterday afternoon !! It is now it it's new home, My garage

Few pictures attached below of the delivery and unloading.

My plan is to restore it to a factory original state within my limits and capabilities. Hopefully with some guidance and direction from my new friends of the local AACA Chapter here, and My New online Friends (You Guys) I will get this knocked out. I am in no rush to get this done, but would like to work on it steadily and patiently.

Now to figure out where to start. My plan is to catalog and take inventory of what I have on hand. While i do some research and try to figure out HOW this thing goes together. As it is currently in pieces. Once I have an inventory I would liket ot dry fit everything together to see what i have, what i need, and what needs to be done. Then I can start to disassemble, fix, work, replace, or repair parts that need attention. then completely reassemble the truck and do the fine detail work. I know, I Know it will take lots of time, and of course $$ MONEY $$, and LOADS of PATIENCE and homework. I plan on being around a while, and enjoy it once it is complete.

Any and all feedback, support, guidance, reference, information would be greatly appreciated !! have not had much luck finding a lot of info on any of these.

If you have any questions, feel free to post or PM me. I will do my best to keep you guys updated on the progress with pictures, of course

()Waiting on Membership Info so I can Post Pictures()

As soon as you post your VCCA #, a little elf will come around and give you a hand.

Ok uploaded my photos...

Here is the Truck being loaded & unloadaed on the Transport: Huckster: Transport

Here are some shots in the Garage: Huckster: 2012-06-06

That is a very nice find. Good luck and don't be afraid to ask questions as needed. There is a wealth of info to be had here.

Mike

Can anyone aid in identifying the body manufacturer ?? I believe it to be a Hercules, but not sure. Not much Information that I can find out there to verify/ confirm body. Once I start unloading the bed, I can take more pictures.

I am trying to get any and all information I can so that I can put his puzzle back together :)

Well this past weekend my son and I unloaded the truck, sorted out the parts n pieces and laid them out on the workbench and floor. Looks like we have a lot of pieces, some even duplicated. Found out some pieces we were missing, and made us a list of things to look for. I have uplaoded pictures to share with everyone, instead of loading them up on this site, I have laoded them on my google photos page, and included a link here.

Huckster: Parts Misc

Huckster: Bed

Huckster: Body

Huckster: Doors

Huckster: Driveline

Huckster: Frame

Huckster: Interior

We went out to the Richmond In the Spring AACA show in Richmond, VA this past Saturday to check out the Swap Meet and the Rides. Took our list of missing Parts and Digi Camera (To get some shots of how to put this thing back together). We were unsuccessful in finding any parts, and found a 27 Chevrolet that we got some pictures of that will help up in re assembly.

Next step, rent/ borrow an engine hoist to remove the engine from the bed, so we can get it ready to attack. Going to figure out what to do next... Onward and Forward we go.

That looks like a true "basket case". And just one missing part can drive you "crazy". But, look at the satisfaction when you get it completed.

I think you will need a "Parts Librarian" to catalog and organize your stuff by group number, part number, condition, etc.
I wonder about that bevel gear and sprocket attached to the starter...
Good Luck, great truck.

Mike

LMAO

Thanks for your vote of confidence there. I am trying to get up to Hershey so that I can see similar vehicles and take notes, pictures, and ask questions. It is a HUGE learning Curve for me, I am mechanically inclined and love to figure things out, put things together, and take them apart. My thrill and satisfaction comes from seeing hte finished product at the end of the day, and it working of course ( lol ).

I am doign a lot of research (Reading, Looking, Asking, etc..) Trying to learn anything and everything I can !!

Update on my project...

We were able to get the engine out the the bed with the help of my neighbors x2 and his engine lift/ hoist. Picked it up and put it down on a set of dollies I had, so I can push and move it around as needed. Found out my Neighbor with the Lift also owns a bolt !! a 1948 Chevrolet Pick-Up, Pretty Nice truck !

My Son and I began to install the bed strappping and bolts and a few other part on the rear end. Figure start on the back work our way forward.

Slowly and Steadily we go.

Pictures are here: Huckster: 2012-06-25

OK...

Just uploaded the photos from the DVD I was sent, these are photos from the Resto Shop when the original owner was having the truck restored before he past. Looks like a lot of work has been done, and a lot more to go...

Be For warned, there are almost 300 Photos in this album, they are reduced in size for quicker loading !!

Huckster: Vintage DVD

What an interesting project. Can't wait to see it completed. Very thorough detail photos too, thank you.

Very cool truck! Here are a couple of scans from a 1929 Hercules truck body brochure:
https://vccachat.org/ubbthreads.php/galleries/247824#Post247824

Cheers, Dean

Awesome, and thanks Dean.

So what I have looks similar to the 1935/ 1936 Yet mine has the Small rear window in it. Is there really any way to determine if it was a 1935 or a 1936 Style ?!?

Actually your body looks more like the one on my '28 Canopy Express as mine also has the small rectangular window behind the door.

Chip, and I believe you said you have a Hercules Body as well ??

I did notice that in the flats of the body it is stamped with HMCo or something of the sorts, will have to look at it again to see EXACTLY what it is stamped, will try and get a phot of it as well.

Well spent the weekend out in the garage, organizing my parts.

Sorted them out into categories based on what MAJOR Component the go to, labeled every part, pull and tagged the duplicates, and then sorted everything on my newly installed shelving. Also sorted all the hardware by size & style.

Huckster: Parts Organized

Well My Week in review:

Installed and secured the Drivers Side Rear bed Panel, all nails have been installed. Looks good and solid:

Huckster: Side Panel

Well continuing to work on the Truck, after making a list of hardware required, I have ordered the hardware I need, and got most of ot in this week, a few more items are due to arrive on monday. Once I have everything on hand My son and I are planning on takingthe steel bolts, stripping the zinc coating off, and then blackening them. Not a fan of shiny bolts on my antique.

while waiting on the parts to arrive rolled the truck out and gave the chasis a pressure wash to remove dirt debris and loose particles. Now planning on hittingthe frame with a wire brush and then throwing on a coat of black paint to seal her up. a little preventative maintance you can say.

Huckster: Wash Down

I have an undated catalog from York-Hoover Bodies for Chevrolets that shows 1929 or 1930 models. They offer a De Lux Bettermetl-Betterwood Six-Post Curtain Side Body for the Chevy Light Delivery Truck with a cargo platform 72" long, 46" wide and 49" high that has the small window behind the door. They offer a similar body for Chevy Utility 1 1/2-Ton Trucks with a cargo platform 105" by 54" and 52" high still with the small side window (they offer both bodies without the side window). A key feature they say is a windshield that will fold both in and out. The standard Chevy windshield only folds out.
This catalog is 132 pages long and is too delicate to flatten out on my scanner. I will try to take some digital photos of key pages.
The York-Hoover bodies seem to match the features of your truck.

Alright, this was a pretty slow but productive weekend for me on the 1930. I completely disassembled the bed from the frame, then removed the body from the frame so that I can address the frame and it's components to begin my restoration process. Here are some Picts:

Huckster: Bed Removal
Huckster: Body Removal

My plan is to clean up the frame, give it a clean fresh coat of paint, and then address the brakes and suspension components. The Frame is in great shape, a few spots of surface rust, buit nothign major that I can see as of now. Plan is to get a complete solid rolling chassis, (Clean Frame, Functioning Brake System, & Suspension) then from there ?!?!

Also I finally got in all the hardware I ordered this past firday, so took some time on sunday to do some blackening. I id NOT want to use bright Zinc hardware on the 1930, so I opted for this instead. The hardware turned out really nice, I am very happy with the results !! Just an FYI I used the Caswell Black Oxide System, and would recommend it to anyone doing this.

Ok, Spent the day working on the frame. Stripping it down and putting a coat of Primer on. About 1/5 Done. Taking my time and trying to do it right. First time I have ever attempted anything like this, so ... Also I am doing this with an angle grinder and wire brushes, as well as by hand in the hard to reach spots. Yes I am wearing PPE, Safety Goggles, Face Shield, Respirator and long sleeves & pants. Wires & paint flying everywhere !!

Here are some Pictures from today:
Huckster: Frame Prime 01

Tomorrow hoping to get another section done.

Ok, was able to get back out and do some more work sunday on the frame getting another section done. Had to get more primer, and eneded up destroying both Wire Brushed I had on hand, so back to the store for some more !!

Here are some Pictures from Sunday:
Huckster: Frame Prime 02

Tomorrow hoping to get another section done, Since I will be home hanging out with the kids :-)

Well another great day to grind, brush and prime !! spent another few hours outside on the frame, got another section done. This section was tedious, hand to hand work a lot of the areas. Also looks like that will be it for working on the frame for a few days, weather is back in the freezing zone. last 3 Days were sunny and in the 50's +, not suppose to get above freezing. Also have to get back to work tomorrow... Got to work to support my habit :p

Here are some Pictures from Monday:
Huckster: Frame Prime 03

About 3/5 Done with the Frame itself... then >?< guess springs, cross memeber, axles, then onto the steering rods, or who knows...

Love a Three day weekend :) on top of that Monday was a beautiful afternoon, once the rain stopped and the sun came out, Temps hit the 70's !! So I rolled out the 30 and spent another few hours outside on the frame. Actually finished up the Frame section and got it all Primed !!

Here are some Pictures from Monday:
Huckster: Frame Prime 04

Today suppose to be back cool again, plus back to work for me...