Father and son find 1948 Chevy used in Air Force abandoned in rural New Mexico and they have major plans for it
- The ex-Air Force 1948 Chevy has been left abandoned for 58 years
- It was rusty and initially appeared like it’d never make it back on the road
- That didn’t stop and father and son duo for putting their heart and soul into the project
Published on Dec 25, 2024 at 6:00 PM (UTC+4)
by Adam Gray
Last updated on Nov 27, 2024 at 2:07 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Alessandro Renesis
At first glance, this 1948 Chevy, formerly used by the Air Force by the way, looks like it’s seen better days.
After being left to rot for 58 years, it’s fair to say the elements haven’t been kind to it.
Any one would take one look and think it’s not worth the effort
But that didn’t cross the mind of a father and son who worked their socks off to get it back on the road.
DISCOVER SBX CARS: The global premium car auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie
What condition is the Chevy in?
YouTube is a treasure trove of interesting videos, especially ones where people bring abandoned cars back to life.
Great examples are this abandoned Plymouth Valiant with a big issue that was rescued, or this Audi R8 abandoned for five years that was transformed in seconds.
We’ve seen our fair share of these kind of videos, but in our honest opinion, this is up there with the best.
In the video, posted to YouTube by Theetravisb, the father and son due travel 400 miles from Tucson, Arizona to Little Water, New Mexico.
They make the journey to buy a 1948 Chevrolet short bed truck that has been used a ranch vehicle and was originally a U.S. Air Force truck.
Despite its rusty appearance, the pair find the truck to be in relatively good condition, though the seat and some parts need replacement or repair.
Original features, like the steering wheel and gauges remain intact, indicating its historical value.
Engine inspection and rebuilding
The father and son duo start by examining the engine, and after various attempts to free it up, they discover that it isn’t locked.
They explore rebuilding options, including checking the crank and bearings for wear, and decide to proceed with using parts from a previously rebuilt engine.
The pair then refurbish the brake system, with new components installed and tested for functionality, ensuring safety for the vehicle once it’s back on the road.
Final assembly and test of the ex Air Force Chevy
The restoration process of the 1948 Chevy culminates in a successful assembly of the truck’s interior and exterior.
It’s a really insightful video, which shows how the truck was given a total makeover to make it a daily driver.
We’ll definitely be keeping an eye on their channel to see what project is next in store for the dynamic duo.
Adam Gray is an experienced freelance motoring journalist and content creator based in the United Kingdom. Using his media accreditation with manufacturers’ press offices, Adam test drives the latest cars and attends new vehicle press launches, producing written reviews and news pieces for a variety of lifestyle and business publications. Here at Supercar Blondie, Adam applies his journalistic skills penning social-first content around current news and trends. When he’s not behind the wheel of the latest car or writing up another viral story, Adam can be found at his local rink playing ice hockey or at the Riverside Stadium supporting his beloved Middlesbrough FC.
