Restored Chevy Promotes Hardware Store

Restored Chevy Promotes Hardware Store In 1956, when Paul Dauwalder purchased a hardware store in Scottsdale, Ariz., delivering goods to the town’s 2,761 residents was an everyday occurrence. His delivery vehicle was a 1953 Chevrolet C3800 flatbed stake truck. In 2026, Paul’s Hardware celebrates 70 years in business. A lot has changed, but one thing remains the same: a Chevy flatbed truck. The current showpiece, restored and painted shiny red with white wheels, remains a 1953 Chevy C3800 flatbed. Although it’s neither fast nor large enough to deliver the prompt, speedy service that Paul’s customers have come to expect, it still represents continuity and a commitment to customer service. Julie Buchkowski, Paul Dauwalder’s granddaughter, is now president of Paul’s Ace Hardware Stores, which has eight locations. In 1956, Scottsdale was a small town east of Phoenix. Today, it has more than 250,000 residents, and Paul’s serves them from three stores. Five other stores serve the sprawling Phoenix metro area, including one with a full-service lumber yard. The iconic C3800 flatbed restoration was completed in 2006. The vehicle has its original 235 cu. in. 105-hp inline-6 engine, but it’s definitely not fast enough to speed along Phoenix freeways. Still, the truck garners plenty of store publicity by leisurely rolling through local parades and posing for customer photos at all of Paul’s locations. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Paul’s Ace Hardware, 16605 E. Palisades Blvd., Fountain Hills, Ariz. 85268.

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