I’m an “old house guy”…it’s what I teach…it’s my hobby…it’s an extension of who I am. That is until I ran across this one owner 52 Chevy that was parked in a barn for 30 plus years. I scavenge house parts in my spare time and while looking thru a boarded up farm house, the owner said “take a look in the barn, I have an old “wheat truck” you might be interested in.

My pickup loaded with house parts, I began driving down the dirt road away from the farmstead thinking…I don’t need an old wheat truck. Something pulled at my soul like a magnet. Looking back I can clearly see that it was “Bess” waiting for me to bring her back to life just like I’ve done to many old houses.

Opening the barn door slowing, not knowing what to expect…there she sat. Covered in years and years of dirt and so much stuff surrounding her that it was hard to even get a good look, but I ventured in. If I remember correctly, I said “OH MY GOD” at least a hundred times. I’d officially been bit by the “old truck bug”.

Sitting in the barn for over 30 years was a 1952 Chevy 3600, all original. 6 volt over hydraulic dump bed, original wooden side boards…all the way down to a small leather bladed fan mounted on the steering column to keep the owner cool on a hot harvest day. From front to back, not a dent…covered in coon tracks and a glove box so packed full of mouse nest that when I pushed the button to look it popped open under the pressure.

My thought wasn’t “what a mess!!”. My thought was “move over mice…you’re being evicted!!”. I made a deal on the truck, contacted a local tow company out of the darkness she came. A short ride to town and just about to be unloaded at the local mechanics shop, I said “keep that thing loaded and take her to my house”.

I ordered a shop manual and began to tinker. I’m a house guy, but I’m also a guy who loves to learn…and so the addiction began. Teacher, house guy and now….old car guy, it just seemed to fit. I read, looked, poked, prodded, asked a hundred questions at the parts store. Several parts from LMC, a spritz there and a turn here….she runs like a charm. Dump bed works perfectly and the little fan you ask…doesn’t miss a beat on a hot hot day.

Addicted you ask…it’s now one of 12 old cars I’ve worked to bring back to life. As I sit here typing I’m waiting on my LMC order to arrive for a one owner (original title) 1960 Ford F100 Custom Truck. I love the story just about as much as I love the metal…I’m telling you…like old house walls talk…so do these things if you listen.

I’m not a professional and I’ll wear you out with a thousand questions…but isn’t that life. Be safe and well…but more importantly…save those old cars and trucks.