Mods
Original 17 inch split rims were swapped for modern 16 inch rims and tires
12 volt conversion.
Pertronix electronic ignition instead of points.
T5 transmission swap is planned for the near future
12 volt conversion.
Pertronix electronic ignition instead of points.
T5 transmission swap is planned for the near future
Build story
I buy scrap cars for a living. I recieved a phone call one day about a 50s chevy truck to be hauled away. The guy told me the price he wanted to receive for it and I assumed that it was a pile of parts in a swamp based on the price. When I arrived at his property the gate opened up then the garage door. The truck was inside the garage. It had occupied that spot for 30 strait years. I checked it over and asked why he wanted to sell it. He showed me his hands that were swollen from arthritis. "I can’t fix it up. Its someone elses turn to have it now" was his reply as he leaned against the fender to rest his sore legs.
I confirmed the asking price with him again. Then I offered him more as I felt that it was too low for the truck. He refused any more money for it.
I winched the truck out of the garage into the sunlight for the first time in three decades. Up onto the trailer it went. Paperwork was done. I again tried to pay more but he handed back the excess money. "Thats all I wanted for it" he said " that and a good home for it". Before I fired up my truck to drive away I asked him " When its running again do you mind if I bring it back to show you?" His reply was "You would make an old mans day if you did"
The revival of the truck was a great time for myself, my friends, and my wife.
A carb rebuild. A ignition tune up,rebuilt brakes, and new wheels got it up and moving. The interior was another story. The mice had relocated 20 pounds of birdseed into the headliner and built a mansion under the seat! Lots of vacuuming and washing later it was also ready to go.
After The truck passed our provincial safety and went on a few small trips to our nearby city ( I have a slight Tim’s addiction and the truck got lots of attention in the drive thru) it was time to make an old mans day.
I took it for its longest ride up to that point. Off the main hiway. Up and over the railway tracks and made the turn towards his property. I hadn’t told him that I was coming. As I drove up I saw the old guy in a full gallop to the gate! I got out and he said between breaths. " I was on the deck enjoying the sunshine and when I heard you bounce over those train tracks I knew my old truck was coming home". His wife came out soon after with an older camera and we took pictures while the truck idled away happy as can be. I offered to let him take it for a drive but he said " No. Its yours now. Drive it for me"
I hopped in and they thanked me for bringing it back and he showed me some of the trucks battle scars and the stories behind them. It had lived quite a life and now it continues on with me and my family. It gets driven at least a few times a month. Its hauled lumber and scrap and runs and drives best when its being used for work because thats all it ever knew.
If you’ve read this far I greatly appreciate it. I know its long but i enjoyed typing this small part of this trucks life story. I’d enjoy telling more of it given the chance. Thank you
Ps. I get asked all the time what i paid for it. My answer is and always will be "Thats between me, that old guy and god" Ill never tell you the price but I’ll say there weren’t a lot of digits in it.
I confirmed the asking price with him again. Then I offered him more as I felt that it was too low for the truck. He refused any more money for it.
I winched the truck out of the garage into the sunlight for the first time in three decades. Up onto the trailer it went. Paperwork was done. I again tried to pay more but he handed back the excess money. "Thats all I wanted for it" he said " that and a good home for it". Before I fired up my truck to drive away I asked him " When its running again do you mind if I bring it back to show you?" His reply was "You would make an old mans day if you did"
The revival of the truck was a great time for myself, my friends, and my wife.
A carb rebuild. A ignition tune up,rebuilt brakes, and new wheels got it up and moving. The interior was another story. The mice had relocated 20 pounds of birdseed into the headliner and built a mansion under the seat! Lots of vacuuming and washing later it was also ready to go.
After The truck passed our provincial safety and went on a few small trips to our nearby city ( I have a slight Tim’s addiction and the truck got lots of attention in the drive thru) it was time to make an old mans day.
I took it for its longest ride up to that point. Off the main hiway. Up and over the railway tracks and made the turn towards his property. I hadn’t told him that I was coming. As I drove up I saw the old guy in a full gallop to the gate! I got out and he said between breaths. " I was on the deck enjoying the sunshine and when I heard you bounce over those train tracks I knew my old truck was coming home". His wife came out soon after with an older camera and we took pictures while the truck idled away happy as can be. I offered to let him take it for a drive but he said " No. Its yours now. Drive it for me"
I hopped in and they thanked me for bringing it back and he showed me some of the trucks battle scars and the stories behind them. It had lived quite a life and now it continues on with me and my family. It gets driven at least a few times a month. Its hauled lumber and scrap and runs and drives best when its being used for work because thats all it ever knew.
If you’ve read this far I greatly appreciate it. I know its long but i enjoyed typing this small part of this trucks life story. I’d enjoy telling more of it given the chance. Thank you
Ps. I get asked all the time what i paid for it. My answer is and always will be "Thats between me, that old guy and god" Ill never tell you the price but I’ll say there weren’t a lot of digits in it.