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.