On '55-59 Chevy cabs, these two areas of disrepair are unfortunately quite common, which should help explain why aftermarket repair pieces are readily available. For a novice welder/fabricator, this ...

"One day in May 1955, I was walking home from school with my friends. As we got closer to my house I noticed a new truck parked in our driveway. It was a '55 Chevy pickup. My friends noticed it too.