Ranch Rescue

My vehicle in college was a restored, clean, one-owner 1970 Chevy CST10 with a/c and details down to the matching original seat, headliner and door panels. So when it was time to shop for my son’s first vehicle, we instantly thought “old truck,” but it had to be on a budget. After months of online shopping across several states, we were the first to act on a 1962 GMC 1000 that had survived its stint on a California mountain ranch–and had the patina to prove it. We made quick friends with the seller, who threw in a bumper, transmission, a couple of extra boxes of spare parts, and swapped us a tailgate. What a great truck guy!

She started and ran at purchase, but was slow to stop and low geared, leaky, and light-less (no working lights). Someone prior to us had started to give her some attention, as they had primed the rear frame, added a “cherry bomb” to the exhaust and swapped out beds for a correct era Chevy (that’s why we swapped tailgates for a GMC). So off we were, ready to bring our two-tone beauty back to life…well, at least make it roadworthy again. Thanks to YouTube, and guys I know over 60, we are legal to drive just under a year later. My son and I have learned a lot from our long list of completed tasks, and have enjoyed the thrill of getting her back on the open road…although we only top out at 43mph…and we still have a to-do list. But that’s why we have LMC!