Third Time’s The Charm?
My dad has always been really into hunting and fishing, but not so much for me. So when I was in middle school (I’m 31 now) he talked my mom into letting us get an antique vehicle to work on together. One of my uncles was also getting into old trucks at the time and was searching for a ’55 since that was his birth year. He didn’t realize it was a first series though which wasn’t what he was looking for so he ended up telling us about it.
My dad and I both fell in love with that unique grille and big ol hood. We brought it home in pieces as the previous owner had torn it apart and lost interest on it shortly after. I remember mom’s reaction when we brought it home- “You PAID for that?!”
We put many long nights in on it that first year and had it on the road pretty quickly. Dad did everything in the driveway since he only had a one car garage. The only thing we didn’t do ourselves was the seat! We also got a lot of help from a friendly neighbor who enjoyed hanging out with us and knew a ton about the old engines.
Several years later the truck was taken apart again for some refreshing including a .080 over 235 inline 6 with dual exhaust.
Another 10 years went by and the truck was looking a little rough. Dad was thinking about selling it but I told him he wouldn’t be able to get much with it looking like a project. So we decided, what the heck, let’s take it down to the frame and do it again! This time around it received new paint, some mechanical upgrades, and lots of new trim and stainless hardware.
It might be the same color as when we first put it on the road 20 some years ago, but it has a lot more memories and sweat in it.
We’ve ordered many parts from LMC over the years for it, and as many know, these projects are never over. I’m sure we’ll be placing another order soon. LMC carries almost everything you need to restore one of these. I have to say almost because nobody reproduces the 55 first series 3600 hoodside emblem! The truck only came with 1 and it took me 15 years to find another.
