tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61449845282007843962024-02-19T11:28:04.670-05:00John's Old TruckUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger161125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6144984528200784396.post-78130946447619826892018-12-06T18:24:00.000-05:002018-12-06T18:24:48.397-05:00What's Your Story?I've been fiddlin' with some photos this week. Ended up posting a new header for the page last night. Then I noticed the date of my last post (September!) and thought "Alrighty then! I guess it's time for a new post too."
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I enjoy the technical details of restoration projects, but anyone familiar with this one knows I'm more of a story guy. At shows or cruise nights I always spend more time walking around, chatting people up and learning about their rides than hanging around my own. So many cool stories out there. Love to hear them.
<br><br><center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNxUmf3g7_IJJEZfCwIVV1noxpAn6a_RnHFMEWF7TnXRDR-7tPGMJhWSnkEiRdkqaiXGnkpBsM_amcxDVmQbY40rIJbXTlWld8qfX-X6TFv1j6gjVl5To2zAEMJkonBQ10bnu6eAjPao/s1600/Brothers.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNxUmf3g7_IJJEZfCwIVV1noxpAn6a_RnHFMEWF7TnXRDR-7tPGMJhWSnkEiRdkqaiXGnkpBsM_amcxDVmQbY40rIJbXTlWld8qfX-X6TFv1j6gjVl5To2zAEMJkonBQ10bnu6eAjPao/s320/Brothers.jpg" width="320" height="208" data-original-width="690" data-original-height="448" /></a>
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<i>Left to right: Brothers Dan, yours truly, Chris and Pete on May 30, 2015, when I finally drove the truck for the first time. Pete bought the truck in Missouri and drove it home to Connecticut in 1981..</center></i>
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So what's your story? Truck, car, old school bus, whatever. Why does your ride mean so much to you? I'd love to read all about it and share some stories in a future post. Comment here, <a href="mailto:JohnsOldTruck@gmail.com">shoot me a quick email</a> or send a message through the John's Old Truck Facebook page, and feel free to attach a photo. And by all means, if you've got a website or blog that deals with your classic ride I'd love to share those as well. Looking forward to checking out some projects and hearing the stories.
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As always, thanks for stopping by. See y'all down the road!
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###Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6144984528200784396.post-476461553249550272018-09-02T09:20:00.000-04:002018-09-02T09:20:54.939-04:00One Thing You Can Count OnOkay, September is here. Time for another long overdue blog post...
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As anyone who has ever taken on a project like this can tell you, the timeline you initially envision will almost certainly not happen. Originally, I wanted to do the coast to coast / Route 66 run this summer, and roll triumphantly into our 50th family reunion in Ohio (where I saw the truck for the first time as a teenager in 1981) on the way back. Wishful thinking for sure. The reunion happened three weeks ago and was an awesome time as always, but the finish line for our chassis swap project remains out there in the distance. Not a big deal in the grand scheme. The most important thing was the time spent with loved ones. The old farm is hallowed ground for our family, the fifth generation of which now walks it since Alva and Harry (Dad's parents) got married in 1920. Plans gone awry is often a good reminder of what really matters. At some point the epic road trip will happen, the truck will roll up Cady Run to the reunion, and regardless of when, it will be special.
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With that, I thought I'd share a few current photos...
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<center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlKchhIbnfjtdhKLIFK9r2ioPYONpKHMlYp2s8bLx7kDFS50dPbzi8AzIydUAslelirvmGoxC8UPta0Jz4IBg8PQcU_Tgj0shmGBfMDgTICBbBvEewCedRA2RUQzRbT7mcgg9HqPXv-u8/s1600/2018-08-14-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlKchhIbnfjtdhKLIFK9r2ioPYONpKHMlYp2s8bLx7kDFS50dPbzi8AzIydUAslelirvmGoxC8UPta0Jz4IBg8PQcU_Tgj0shmGBfMDgTICBbBvEewCedRA2RUQzRbT7mcgg9HqPXv-u8/s320/2018-08-14-01.jpg" width="320" height="234" data-original-width="983" data-original-height="720" /></a>
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On the lift, gorgeous '40 Chevy in the background
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjywXrsXXWrdQgwo2yy0UuFJHvmecJFCv3VhKkKtYvwa5ydcxT-IJ7eQsJR1yu8GdC7uEyS_2neBj3bkZFO33smVr8dfMsnx-TjjOHbH5oSdOQtJCVFmxn1kVy7ENmOi6kg3RLej_3sUwg/s1600/2018-08-14-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjywXrsXXWrdQgwo2yy0UuFJHvmecJFCv3VhKkKtYvwa5ydcxT-IJ7eQsJR1yu8GdC7uEyS_2neBj3bkZFO33smVr8dfMsnx-TjjOHbH5oSdOQtJCVFmxn1kVy7ENmOi6kg3RLej_3sUwg/s320/2018-08-14-02.jpg" width="320" height="180" data-original-width="1280" data-original-height="720" /></a>
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Cab mounts were all toast, all replaced
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNa3x338RjQE28Pt15OfDpbU5C9YrT00fLBnqWQoUe-WjZx0SjSBLxGeBvdxoB3j1DCHTs8i69lNBWZaliuSbvn5vCAzTYNrkXTai1xfP0TgYVTit6LkTFT_8yTq1g_q0tFp_C_9MOL48/s1600/2018-08-14-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNa3x338RjQE28Pt15OfDpbU5C9YrT00fLBnqWQoUe-WjZx0SjSBLxGeBvdxoB3j1DCHTs8i69lNBWZaliuSbvn5vCAzTYNrkXTai1xfP0TgYVTit6LkTFT_8yTq1g_q0tFp_C_9MOL48/s320/2018-08-14-03.jpg" width="320" height="198" data-original-width="1083" data-original-height="669" /></a>
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Cab in place, starting to line things up</center>
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When we're all done I'm going to do a detailed book of photos documenting the project from beginning to end. Stay tuned, and as always, thanks for stopping by.
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See y'all down the road!
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###Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6144984528200784396.post-88803653675048005892018-05-09T07:04:00.000-04:002018-05-09T07:04:18.482-04:00Today Marks a New ChapterI enjoy those moments when you can simply let the pictures tell the story...
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<center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhfItIiuK4_rRJpzMaEfen-VshVjoNsjWZKPIxd_KzFdWuhUQurSiAGVCc2U0z2ZInizX_BqwJM6nPIG7cOVIhUmZwOBayrOhdyCJG4NH8YZ_Rbd2NjojbPToTBPbL3YbgmDQkCM1P-U/s1600/PetesTruck.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhfItIiuK4_rRJpzMaEfen-VshVjoNsjWZKPIxd_KzFdWuhUQurSiAGVCc2U0z2ZInizX_BqwJM6nPIG7cOVIhUmZwOBayrOhdyCJG4NH8YZ_Rbd2NjojbPToTBPbL3YbgmDQkCM1P-U/s320/PetesTruck.jpg" width="320" height="183" data-original-width="772" data-original-height="441" /></a>
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1981 - When Pete drover her home from Missouri to Connecticut
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQLCX6UhI0H_DupBzpbGczOESkftIYq0OUF2c590xkKQJeRDTrql9AUJwwSo2hIyFxOuL0_QZKgKJqv1GqwuaoSK850anPgI19fXZCW7F3vUIblkiSGjhIrLwNQcWBVlDUlCxShGd2mw/s1600/2003-09-24-01.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQLCX6UhI0H_DupBzpbGczOESkftIYq0OUF2c590xkKQJeRDTrql9AUJwwSo2hIyFxOuL0_QZKgKJqv1GqwuaoSK850anPgI19fXZCW7F3vUIblkiSGjhIrLwNQcWBVlDUlCxShGd2mw/s320/2003-09-24-01.JPG" width="320" height="240" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a>
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2003 - The day we pulled her from Pete's garage and she became John's Old Truck
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ybO5CA8FdD4spdC9JQKVTG0DyOGggxaqz0bjA2cFgOx9HWD94CCVl3w9DYQFpebZVKrxYUsXv8prZLUWX2cMCv_ulNv4me_n1TJgaPEzpfWWfIHNKFAsFjrpWZToHpHKJ21OLj1H17c/s1600/Brothers.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ybO5CA8FdD4spdC9JQKVTG0DyOGggxaqz0bjA2cFgOx9HWD94CCVl3w9DYQFpebZVKrxYUsXv8prZLUWX2cMCv_ulNv4me_n1TJgaPEzpfWWfIHNKFAsFjrpWZToHpHKJ21OLj1H17c/s320/Brothers.jpg" width="320" height="208" data-original-width="690" data-original-height="448" /></a>
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May 30th, 2015 with the brothers - When I drove her for the first time
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfzlpiPcOkSZYm457d_MjJxgAD-vjWIO4A9-VHVt4uvoJFd9yejyfdaU9S4OrIfn-KYp6U2qC8389q3PZlrihqFi6iEBptM421p0hEJ-M2IyHjxfqVJfw1v1ylekFNjgRFfuPDDrXE2j4/s1600/2018-04-28-CabToShop-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfzlpiPcOkSZYm457d_MjJxgAD-vjWIO4A9-VHVt4uvoJFd9yejyfdaU9S4OrIfn-KYp6U2qC8389q3PZlrihqFi6iEBptM421p0hEJ-M2IyHjxfqVJfw1v1ylekFNjgRFfuPDDrXE2j4/s320/2018-04-28-CabToShop-03.jpg" width="320" height="212" data-original-width="611" data-original-height="405" /></a>
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Last week at the shop</center>
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Today marks the beginning of the next chapter, as the cab and the new chassis become one. And there is much left to write, including the chapter about living the lifelong dream of an epic cross country road trip. I would be honored and truly appreciative if you would like to help write it! Please check out the links to the full short story on the right of this page...
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Thanks, as always, for stopping by. See y'all down the road!
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###Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6144984528200784396.post-13534032086732323112018-04-16T18:40:00.002-04:002018-04-16T18:40:49.207-04:00Now It's Gettin' RealJason has been telling me that once we get started, the swap won't take very long. Sure enough, a couple hours after we got the S10 down to the shop on Saturday and started prepping for the '49 body, I stepped back, took a look and said "Wow, I guess you were right, Jason!" I was truly surprised at how much we got done.
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The S10 chassis swap is fairly popular among owners of the '47 - '54 Advance Design Chevy/GMC trucks like mine, but while most of these swaps start with a completely bare S10 frame, we'll actually be dropping the '49 body on a running, driving '91 S10 chassis - 4.3 liter V6, 5 speed manual transmission, power steering and brakes, modern suspension, etc. At some point in the future we might go with a small block V8, an LS or maybe even a nicely done flathead, just because I've always loved that look. I understand the flathead is not a very powerful motor, but that's never been my focus with this project anyway. I'll be happy just to cruise, do some shows and of course live the lifelong dream of an epic coast to coast road trip.
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<center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Y0_N9kXPX_fROPdjSEhhgQ_XDF-wYQZvB3G7sx6aAjNYQI99Hp3wU5T1khSMp5kBL8pnaDCR_pZ4Z8Kb0FqwFSA5aSDmmpw6Gzbuw5ch8qAllw6PB_Scb7pguDHO2K7nuPt5VUmDRMg/s1600/2018-04-14-WithDarrinTrailer.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Y0_N9kXPX_fROPdjSEhhgQ_XDF-wYQZvB3G7sx6aAjNYQI99Hp3wU5T1khSMp5kBL8pnaDCR_pZ4Z8Kb0FqwFSA5aSDmmpw6Gzbuw5ch8qAllw6PB_Scb7pguDHO2K7nuPt5VUmDRMg/s320/2018-04-14-WithDarrinTrailer.jpg" width="320" height="205" data-original-width="613" data-original-height="392" /></a></center>
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Big thanks to my friend and coworker Darrin, who came by with his trailer first thing Saturday morning so we could get the S10 down to the shop. He's got a very cool '68 LeMans that he drives to work on nice days, and he's working on some nice upgrades for it. Looking forward to cruising with him.
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<center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh31LBQ5FoPWecMHRyLk3KAoT5LRjCUvahyphenhyphenCLs3N8QADfx4KXPnczKEolgvjWH1w84pzRdQFiT5tBqpbo1SYvePJ1nhynP8IbDSpoHgSRjE1POcQVIoNAJsA_N7zVKTha1wzJAx5QpxDbg/s1600/2018-04-14-AtTheShop.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh31LBQ5FoPWecMHRyLk3KAoT5LRjCUvahyphenhyphenCLs3N8QADfx4KXPnczKEolgvjWH1w84pzRdQFiT5tBqpbo1SYvePJ1nhynP8IbDSpoHgSRjE1POcQVIoNAJsA_N7zVKTha1wzJAx5QpxDbg/s320/2018-04-14-AtTheShop.jpg" width="320" height="206" data-original-width="726" data-original-height="468" /></a></center>
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Jason's shop is just a couple miles from our house here in New Milford, Connecticut. In addition to all the cool hot rod/custom work he does (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Custom-Conversions-213364698714872" Target="_New">check out the Facebook page here</a>) he's also an expert mechanic. If you happen to be local to the area and you're looking for someone you can truly trust to handle your vehicle maintenance or repairs, he's your guy. I can also tell you first hand and with complete confidence that he'll be very fair on cost. Proud to know him and be working with him on my dream ride.
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<center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qvkDkEpIKXNujDUVCQIsc45DPY8sxPo9gvPlJ8FDPLxs4Tmx-3W5SDhhsNojGF1uP1rgECMfSN14qBlBTdHMlC2VFT60wAQYneaT_JNNcWxoTjys4kJ3pPPt417TRKFRdMuz3Ks0QIE/s1600/2018-04-14-HornButtonBefore-After.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qvkDkEpIKXNujDUVCQIsc45DPY8sxPo9gvPlJ8FDPLxs4Tmx-3W5SDhhsNojGF1uP1rgECMfSN14qBlBTdHMlC2VFT60wAQYneaT_JNNcWxoTjys4kJ3pPPt417TRKFRdMuz3Ks0QIE/s320/2018-04-14-HornButtonBefore-After.jpg" width="320" height="140" data-original-width="793" data-original-height="348" /></a></center>
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Also finished the horn button over the weekend (found on eBay for $13.75 with the contact plate!). I was going to leave it as is, but decided that with the completely restored steering wheel and the plan for a nice freshened up interior, it would look better painted to match the wheels. The paint is Rustoleum metallic paint and primer in one, and the color "Dark Steel." Love the look, especially with a couple coats of clear.
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Much more to come, stay tuned! And as always, thanks for stopping by.
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See y'all down the road!
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###Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6144984528200784396.post-33048444430065733132018-02-28T06:22:00.000-05:002018-02-28T06:22:22.343-05:00Still Here!Please accept my apology for the long period of inactivity here. No excuse, really. Just kept forgetting. I've planned on it a million times, then suddenly a squirrel would run by and I'd be off in another direction...
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I've been helping Jason at the shop (Custom Conversions in New Milford, CT), where we'll very soon be swapping in new urethane bushings for the S10 chassis and setting the '49 body on the S10 chassis. I won't be able to do the epic cross country run this year, but the plan is to drive the truck out to our 50th family reunion in Ohio this August. Can't wait to rock the 4.3 liter V6 five speed, with modern suspension, power steering and brakes, heat and AC! It's gonna be a total blast.
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Took this photo yesterday morning, to mark 21 days to spring. Then last night I was playing with different effects and came up with the "ink sketch" look, which I like...
<br><br><center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VEOds4FdTS7jRWjyPW_bCNavgEFDGoB9dN-s05yB74GWcECOf5JCX6lyJ7H7SgjZco7z21S21YWca5fnT1KCw6lWLGI_we2zAHjuBdbg43hfeQlMnaSS3SD0X-nDLb9cwxmHiQH0u0E/s1600/2018-02-27-InkSketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VEOds4FdTS7jRWjyPW_bCNavgEFDGoB9dN-s05yB74GWcECOf5JCX6lyJ7H7SgjZco7z21S21YWca5fnT1KCw6lWLGI_we2zAHjuBdbg43hfeQlMnaSS3SD0X-nDLb9cwxmHiQH0u0E/s320/2018-02-27-InkSketch.jpg" width="320" height="200" data-original-width="827" data-original-height="516" /></a></center>
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Thanks as always for stopping by. See y'all down the road!
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###Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6144984528200784396.post-62154665624358245932017-09-03T10:08:00.000-04:002017-09-03T10:12:39.098-04:00Destiny's TruckThe photo on the left features the tree that almost flattened my dream. The one on the right is the same tree after it fell. Had the body still been on the old chassis when it happened, clearly the dream would have been over. Please see the post immediately prior to this one for detailed photos.
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<center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7x43TCrXY64eUBLok3nPByi8vqZ2yTUBsoAr8QtNGoxwCUp_RP1xF0IIXfudWgxlNqWq-L7pYHRm85LX1wKBZcsdCG6GUb9rm11eHmaD7RU2q5ARbS80FXSW01aMiCpRNsMMgednrA4/s1600/Truck-Tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7x43TCrXY64eUBLok3nPByi8vqZ2yTUBsoAr8QtNGoxwCUp_RP1xF0IIXfudWgxlNqWq-L7pYHRm85LX1wKBZcsdCG6GUb9rm11eHmaD7RU2q5ARbS80FXSW01aMiCpRNsMMgednrA4/s320/Truck-Tree.jpg" width="320" height="109" data-original-width="975" data-original-height="331" /></a>
<br>click on photo for larger view</center>
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As I remarked to a friend the other day, only half-jokingly, I have to believe my truck was spared in this incident because it is destined for great things. Like my lifelong dream of an epic coast to coast road trip and a slow roll up Cady Run to our 50th family reunion in Ohio next August, perhaps...
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Of course, such dreams are not realized without a lot of hard work, dedication and help from others. I've got those first two things covered, and hopefully that's where y'all will come in. The image on the left above is one of many designs available in <a href="https://www.teepublic.com/user/unclejohn" Target="_New">my Tee Public store</a>. All the picture designs you'll see there started out as photos taken by yours truly, and there are many different styles and colors available for each design. If you could check out the link and perhaps make a purchase and/or simply share the link with friends, I would really appreciate it. I hope you'll also check out and share the links on the right here to my full short story, which not only documents the history of this truck in our family going back to the summer of 1981, but also reveals exactly why this project is a tribute in memory of my mother. Please feel free to contact me directly anytime with any questions, via the email link on the right here.
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Thanks as always for stopping by... See y'all down the road!
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###Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6144984528200784396.post-79755309355967160382017-08-24T12:17:00.000-04:002017-08-24T12:17:40.148-04:00Feelin' Pretty LuckyI was in my work truck yesterday finishing up my last stop, about 45 minutes from the office and another 15 minutes from home when I got the text from Meg: "Houston, we have a problem!" I kept trying to reply to find out what was going on, but the message wouldn't go. And the pictures she was trying to send along with that message weren't coming in. I started to make my way back and finally got enough of a signal to receive this photo:
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<center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_O7MEOvBeX7Rp-ygtvgEQW1ruN5oKQUfUooo-7qOgQ_OaF7bvU-84ZBMVAsRl41h6nry_u7K1uGuDA2xcLKMGqzq-vS6r0f7WOqoJS5rJfhULamHgndWUbOU9oZs6Xk_2zaItJUM9ZwM/s1600/2017-08-23-FirstPic.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_O7MEOvBeX7Rp-ygtvgEQW1ruN5oKQUfUooo-7qOgQ_OaF7bvU-84ZBMVAsRl41h6nry_u7K1uGuDA2xcLKMGqzq-vS6r0f7WOqoJS5rJfhULamHgndWUbOU9oZs6Xk_2zaItJUM9ZwM/s320/2017-08-23-FirstPic.jpg" width="320" height="239" data-original-width="1013" data-original-height="757" /></a></center>
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I pulled over immediately and called. She was out and came home to find that the huge tree had fallen and was not only blocking most of the driveway but also the front door, and the back slider was locked. She managed to get a ladder up to the back of the front/side porch and break enough branches to get in the house. Very thankfully, neither of us was home when it happened. There would have been significant vehicle damage and almost certainly severe injuries if either of us had been here and either going to or coming from the car. No damage to the house either. We're extremely lucky.
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Then, of course, my attention turned to the truck. I couldn't tell from the first photo if it had been hit, and had no idea what I would find when I made my way to the other side of the tree...
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<center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyONlShfqpueq-1YYiYZsPuKH-pYDJOHCbFN_FYMQkQUdbkN69sxy5We2QMjT9wEpB34JFA8yN8ACzYDFtm50QwB3adD8VhMtXUR_N9hxGGK0p3nREdCehOFS6SNrYo0RoYRYd0AX5sU/s1600/2017-08-23-CabFront.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyONlShfqpueq-1YYiYZsPuKH-pYDJOHCbFN_FYMQkQUdbkN69sxy5We2QMjT9wEpB34JFA8yN8ACzYDFtm50QwB3adD8VhMtXUR_N9hxGGK0p3nREdCehOFS6SNrYo0RoYRYd0AX5sU/s320/2017-08-23-CabFront.jpg" width="320" height="180" data-original-width="640" data-original-height="360" /></a></center>
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The good luck continued when I discovered that other than a small dent in the roof, the cab was fine, as were the front fenders, hood and the bed. The larger branch missed the front of the cab by about 18 inches. The S10 that will provide the new chassis is at the other end of the driveway and was completely untouched.
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<center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA3dmmZGFDaT-KRNpqmMG44BK6AaYyVgwPnTiSbPLPdUjUQk4Y9Ya6RFpQYOOY59kLrAB1To8ezYFV13_QDCITE7LzFGcyWGOkDnjXy8euO1ae5gx9HdqOUY6SJgSHKl-RFj9EgIM5O_Q/s1600/2017-08-23-CabRear.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA3dmmZGFDaT-KRNpqmMG44BK6AaYyVgwPnTiSbPLPdUjUQk4Y9Ya6RFpQYOOY59kLrAB1To8ezYFV13_QDCITE7LzFGcyWGOkDnjXy8euO1ae5gx9HdqOUY6SJgSHKl-RFj9EgIM5O_Q/s320/2017-08-23-CabRear.jpg" width="320" height="180" data-original-width="640" data-original-height="360" /></a></center>
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If the body had still been sitting on the old chassis, the truck would have been completely destroyed. I have to think that Mom had something to do with the tree falling just the way it needed to so the truck would be spared. Once again very lucky and appreciative, especially for the friends who showed up with their chainsaws and manpower to help get the driveway cleared. Thank you so much once again, Jason, Stewart and Michael.
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Here's a short Facebook video clip I posted yesterday. I realize these are just old trucks to most people, but this one means the world to me. I can't look at or even think about this truck without also thinking of Mom, which is why this project has always been dedicated to her memory, and why you hear the emotion at the end.
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<iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FJohnnyP49%2Fvideos%2F1398826820230373%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe>
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Can't express how relieved I am to still have a reason for readers to keep stopping by. Thanks, as always. See y'all down the road!
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###Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6144984528200784396.post-8958037830346181272017-08-05T07:28:00.000-04:002017-08-05T07:28:47.707-04:00Dream Prep Rolls OnThe rain falls as I type at 6am, thankful that I got the lawn done last evening but hoping it stops so I can get out in the driveway and spend the day working on the S10. Today's goal is to get the rear portion of the chassis sandblasted and ready for paint. If time allows I'll also pull the hood and front fenders for access to the front part of the frame, and use a heavy canvas tarp to keep the engine covered. The cab will stay in place, probably until the truck goes down the road to Custom Conversions here in New Milford (CT) for the body swap. We'll finish the chassis cleanup there and the remaining S10 body parts, which are in very good shape (the 26 year old truck was obviously well taken care of) will be sold off.
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<center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnxdK2hVFfhZiYtFeq0Khe5IeA4_3Bjxji8gBfErZl9FUxvx-X2-LAlSYvqBzYzKG_bqXUeT1YinaXmgirYRy4-PDCLgzRWh7Iu97u3ZlPAco8tOH8UeZCSYVjpAmy2Hb_Mad191n0-9I/s1600/S10-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnxdK2hVFfhZiYtFeq0Khe5IeA4_3Bjxji8gBfErZl9FUxvx-X2-LAlSYvqBzYzKG_bqXUeT1YinaXmgirYRy4-PDCLgzRWh7Iu97u3ZlPAco8tOH8UeZCSYVjpAmy2Hb_Mad191n0-9I/s320/S10-16.jpg" width="320" height="190" data-original-width="789" data-original-height="468" /></a>
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Two trucks in the driveway will be one before long...</center>
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One week from today we'll gather on the family farm in New Matamoras, Ohio for our 49th reunion. For readers who may not be familiar with the story, the goal is to drive this thing coast to coast next summer and roll in to our 50th reunion next August, returning the truck to the place I saw it for the very first time as a teenager in 1981, in loving tribute to Mom, Dad and all those family members who have passed on but are surely always there with us in spirit.
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<center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6M4xPxa2KORajp1wrC-r64n0ZveQkDl7m6tIsNyH6yz6oRENoMQtXn7LSzHrm1_GvtyNZTbd5Y2taMCBeUiJijC4NnI6i7ZzyKZpdivO69vhgW3-Zegeyq5nEesyWRptXXlSV7afRfY/s1600/FirstReunion.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6M4xPxa2KORajp1wrC-r64n0ZveQkDl7m6tIsNyH6yz6oRENoMQtXn7LSzHrm1_GvtyNZTbd5Y2taMCBeUiJijC4NnI6i7ZzyKZpdivO69vhgW3-Zegeyq5nEesyWRptXXlSV7afRfY/s320/FirstReunion.jpg" width="320" height="231" data-original-width="630" data-original-height="455" /></a>
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1st reunion, August 1969 - Yours truly second from left, front row</center>
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Please see the various links to the full story on the right side of the page here. If you are so inclined to help this overgrown boy live the dream, I would be truly grateful. Thanks as always for stopping by. See y'all down the road!
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###Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6144984528200784396.post-40428440801882912062017-07-24T06:32:00.000-04:002017-07-24T06:32:41.967-04:00New Chassis in the HouseI can't say enough about how appreciative I am. Jason and his wonderful wife Suzie not only provided the temporary storage space for the S10 but also brought it here to the house on Saturday. The running, driving '91 will provide the new chassis for the '49, which all at once will give us a 4.3 liter V6, 5 speed manual trans, power steering and brakes, ac, heat, and of course the modern era suspension.
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<center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEvoye787LuEEeWjHHahY11-S95_o3r4RqNfJ1gT9IQSc7Zska7JXMIEInAMmhEW5YPl6uGb76eaSEByaBSsjvZIvIF0gSxZ-OyxflmpcorfPKicOBkjHgmEPb8YPwhqKOxxR2DK4Av0/s1600/S10-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEvoye787LuEEeWjHHahY11-S95_o3r4RqNfJ1gT9IQSc7Zska7JXMIEInAMmhEW5YPl6uGb76eaSEByaBSsjvZIvIF0gSxZ-OyxflmpcorfPKicOBkjHgmEPb8YPwhqKOxxR2DK4Av0/s320/S10-01.jpg" width="320" height="211" data-original-width="820" data-original-height="540" /></a>
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The '91 and '49 together
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHi9KKPV9Y5JBbHh6ZTwF3BrgfYgFQu-M3UjP_wJGVeHPXehwL14dkQStJuJYn8230RpGAEJL43a0Y_QtMmwlceb_7olITFTotsAQdSN0VGCdkjnLldJYfk8reHnpRPQXr6GYiT8MFa8k/s1600/S10-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHi9KKPV9Y5JBbHh6ZTwF3BrgfYgFQu-M3UjP_wJGVeHPXehwL14dkQStJuJYn8230RpGAEJL43a0Y_QtMmwlceb_7olITFTotsAQdSN0VGCdkjnLldJYfk8reHnpRPQXr6GYiT8MFa8k/s320/S10-10.jpg" width="320" height="219" data-original-width="633" data-original-height="433" /></a>
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Bumper off, work begins</center>
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Can't wait to get back behind the wheel. This is gonna be a blast.
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Thanks as always for stopping by. See y'all down the road!
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###Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6144984528200784396.post-48089455744778540582017-07-10T06:30:00.000-04:002017-07-10T06:30:14.456-04:00Bring On the S10Finally. After advertising via Craigslist and a used car Facebook group, countless messages from people who asked "Okay, what's wrong with the car?" despite the fact that the ad was very specific, and being blown off completely by two allegedly desperate "buyers" who made appointments but never showed up, the Saturn is gone. She now belongs to a very nice couple from Litchfield, and I truly wish them all the best with it.
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<center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOXpigDME0h_UeI1-P_qsdiT2iBFuNv1uMruhHR1tGmxFS1esq18gcLCkOuCRSg6kVzGZnYxY46Cy1CDgTrg51uD87F3zP3bAELAyO-aPZvTXCtbvjLSYwHuZfi9mbNV51rk-ck-hxtEM/s1600/2017-07-07-Buh-Bye-Saturn.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOXpigDME0h_UeI1-P_qsdiT2iBFuNv1uMruhHR1tGmxFS1esq18gcLCkOuCRSg6kVzGZnYxY46Cy1CDgTrg51uD87F3zP3bAELAyO-aPZvTXCtbvjLSYwHuZfi9mbNV51rk-ck-hxtEM/s320/2017-07-07-Buh-Bye-Saturn.jpg" width="320" height="212" data-original-width="671" data-original-height="445" /></a>
<br>7/7/17 - The Saturn heads off to its new home</center>
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Now as soon as Jason's schedule allows, we'll bring the S10 here so I can get the chassis cleaned up and some new parts added before it heads down the road to Custom Conversions (Jason's shop here in New Milford, CT) to have the '49 body attached.
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Slowly but surely, we're gettin' there. Stay tuned.
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Thanks as always for stopping by. See y'all down the road!
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### Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6144984528200784396.post-61220856137294561752017-06-17T07:58:00.000-04:002017-06-17T08:08:43.997-04:00Makin' SpaceFigured it was about time for a fresh blog post, since the last one was more than a month ago. Here's our current status: Jason is ready to bring the S10 here so I can take the body off and get the chassis cleaned up and ready for the '49 body to go on. The problem is the 1997 Saturn we have sitting in the driveway. Need to get rid of it to make room. I've been putting it out there and received some interest, but apparently the excitement level for a 20 year old car with 197,000 miles, that also needs a muffler and should have the brake lines replaced (because of some corrosion on them - although the brakes currently work well) is not very high.
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<center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv0cRU8D2SiJXLRnknXWFRew9yPdAAqyyLGcf5oaLrUYc7ZAjroxRfPdsP3szi5zcootjDvs-2Up4gxeHqyqa4WXJwGqh1HPomN7axVRuATkreMvNNDiYg2723LENovsxvpfYEO85QRD8/s1600/Saturn.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv0cRU8D2SiJXLRnknXWFRew9yPdAAqyyLGcf5oaLrUYc7ZAjroxRfPdsP3szi5zcootjDvs-2Up4gxeHqyqa4WXJwGqh1HPomN7axVRuATkreMvNNDiYg2723LENovsxvpfYEO85QRD8/s320/Saturn.jpg" width="320" height="193" data-original-width="586" data-original-height="354" /></a></center>
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The car starts right up and runs well, has a brand new battery, and the headlights, brake lights and turn signals are all working. I'm going to try a little longer to sell it, but thinking we might have to just donate it to a worthy cause to get it out of here. Need to sell it within the state of Connecticut so we can use just a bill of sale, since we can't find the title. Any interested parties please email me directly from the link on the right of the page here. Asking $750, negotiable.
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Finally, just a reminder about the new t-shirt store... <a href="https://www.teepublic.com/user/unclejohn" Target="_New">TeePublic</a> is much more user friendly than the other retailer I was using, and their finished product looks fantastic. I've got 18 designs up so far, with more to come. All picture designs began as photos taken by yours truly. Many non-truck related designs as well. Multiple colors and shirt styles available, and the store also features mugs, notebooks and stickers. I hope you'll <a href="https://www.teepublic.com/user/unclejohn" Target="_New">check it out</a>, and of course feel free to share...
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Thanks as always for stopping, see y'all down the road!
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###Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6144984528200784396.post-34082659755351750492017-05-09T06:27:00.001-04:002017-06-03T05:37:31.170-04:00Trying to Make it HappenFirst things first: We'll have a little movement soon, with the '91 S10 coming here to the house so I can get the chassis cleaned up and ready for a trip down the road to Custom Conversions in New Milford (CT) to have the '49 body attached. The S10 is a running, driving truck in great shape, and in one shot will give us all the modern era features we'll need to make the truck cross-country capable. When we're done, John's Old Truck will have a 4.3 liter V6 engine, 5 speed manual transmission, power steering, power brakes, heat, AC and a solid modern suspension. Not only will she be ready to run coast to coast, but I'll also be able to go farther from home on a regular basis for regional events. And she'll be a total blast to drive.
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I realize there are some fans of these old Chevy trucks who don't agree with the idea of the S10 chassis swap, and to be honest I struggled with it myself at first, but when this S10 practically fell into my lap I knew the swap was the way to go. The parts alone for an upgrade of the existing chassis would run into the thousands of dollars, many multiples of what I paid for the entire S10. And like the header of this blog says, Johnny is a total amateur. Not in a million years could I simply buy all these parts and install them myself.
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And speaking of needing help...
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As a regular working schmoe, I would never be able to make this project and the road trip happen on my own financially, which is why I've come up with a few different ways people can help.
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There are several locations where the full short story is available for purchase:
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0173EOG32?*Version*=1&*entries*=0" target="_New">AMAZON</a>
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<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/johns-old-truck-living-the-dream-and-honoring-mom-john-schneider/1122860881;jsessionid=DAD02BA5C7012EEE45AEF9A7980966B8.prodny_store01-atgap04?ean=2940150901674" target="_New">BARNES & NOBLE</a>
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<a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/587586" target="_New">SMASHWORDS</a>
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As well as a GoFundMe page featuring the full story with all the photos, where readers can donate any amount. The story would be about 40 paperback pages if printed, so it's a quick read.
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<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/29vxmy4" target="_New">Check out the GoFundMe page here.</a>
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And a new store featuring various images of the truck on shirts, with multiple styles and colors available, as well as mugs, stickers and notebooks. Non-truck images also available.
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<a href="https://www.teepublic.com/user/unclejohn" target="_New">Visit the new store</a> and of course feel free to share the link.
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I would be honored and truly grateful for any help you would like to provide. Please also check out the video and photo links in the sidebar here, where you'll also find a link to email me directly with any questions. Please feel free to reach out anytime.
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Finally, just to clear up any possible confusion with my name: Schneider is my actual last name. "John Perry" is the name I have used on the air since I started in radio in 1984, when "John Schneider" was already famous, thanks to the guy with that name who played Bo Duke on Dukes of Hazzard. I use "Perry" mostly online, because that's the name that anyone who has ever known me through radio is familiar with...
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Thanks as always for stopping by! See y'all down the road!
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###Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6144984528200784396.post-42424557243552254602017-04-09T11:37:00.000-04:002017-04-09T11:37:36.898-04:00Video "Interview" - Can We Get This Thing on TV?Living the epic road trip dream won't be nearly as simple as getting the truck in good enough shape and hitting the highway. In addition to mapping it out, we'll need to have a plan for lodging, time away from work and a good idea of cost for the whole adventure. My initial time frame thought is at least six weeks, but I don't really know for sure because I've never done this before. Could be that the price tag is too steep, or the company I work for won't agree to the time off or even guarantee me a job when I get back. There are a lot of things to think about. Of course, if we could drum up some interest among tv execs and possibly get the story on the air in the form of a reality show, perhaps most if not all of these issues would be taken care of.
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I've never pitched a reality tv show idea before either, so I have no idea of the right way to go about it. But I do know that if you make no effort whatsoever, failure is guaranteed. A friend suggested the "interview" concept of the video below. I liked the idea, so here it is. If you like it I hope you'll share, and hopefully at some point the right people will see it...
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<center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VwcXb1RVjuo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center>
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As always, thanks for stopping by! See y'all down the road...
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###Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6144984528200784396.post-33827291823453003162017-04-02T07:01:00.000-04:002017-04-02T07:01:45.973-04:00Old Rides and Road Trip PrepI stopped by to see Jason at Custom Conversions this week, just down the road from our house here in New Milford, CT. He had the '56 Pontiac he recently bought to use as a family car up on the lift, and we chatted about his plans for it. Pretty much just the basics, at least initially, to make it safe and road worthy. Very solid car.
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<center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9cfgnRv3OM-sc3EqPnXmlAUK18l_VSTdhwaL91N2QQPT-Ny2yDFH6ZQdMtjd4OpTfaObZSTc30iEAkTNilESvZvavoL1uClWIUoR6Exv2GB0N0rrEVEvpNfgbYizqyKbJ_qoAm4CeO5k/s1600/2017-03-01-Jasons56Pontiac.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9cfgnRv3OM-sc3EqPnXmlAUK18l_VSTdhwaL91N2QQPT-Ny2yDFH6ZQdMtjd4OpTfaObZSTc30iEAkTNilESvZvavoL1uClWIUoR6Exv2GB0N0rrEVEvpNfgbYizqyKbJ_qoAm4CeO5k/s320/2017-03-01-Jasons56Pontiac.jpg" width="320" height="170" /></a>
<br>Jason's '56 Pontiac</center>
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We also talked about dressing up the 4.3 liter engine on the S10, to make it look a little more traditional after we get the '49 body swapped onto the S10 chassis. It's not some big honkin' V8, but I don't need that. I could tell just by driving the truck onto the trailer and then to its current storage spot that it's got plenty of power for me. I'm not going to rule out swapping in a small block V8 at some point, but for now the V6 will do just fine.
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I love hanging out in the front office part of Jason's shop, where the walls and shelves are adorned with a bunch of cool old stuff, including many references to Route 66. And speaking of that, the mail lady brought me a little bit of Christmas in March the other day...
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<center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_XMA3oVyq96HiAy1SERfIzLshzTZBjDxnJJmJ_qswlZREK8PDwTW1_ap09IQXraSISIDhNsGMNaFUCzPS-mR4upFmCntFSWCVspk0fCSjiGaVCjgYgrZRaEdRJaA9JeF4dHFbHGedmA/s1600/2017-03-31-Route66Maps.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_XMA3oVyq96HiAy1SERfIzLshzTZBjDxnJJmJ_qswlZREK8PDwTW1_ap09IQXraSISIDhNsGMNaFUCzPS-mR4upFmCntFSWCVspk0fCSjiGaVCjgYgrZRaEdRJaA9JeF4dHFbHGedmA/s320/2017-03-31-Route66Maps.jpg" width="320" height="169" /></a>
<br>Turn by turn and where to eat and sleep on the Mother Road</center>
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Several pieces will need to fall into place to make the dream trip happen in conjunction with our 50th family reunion in August 2018, but I figured it would be a good idea to start planning ahead regardless...
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Thanks for stopping by! See y'all down the road!
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###Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6144984528200784396.post-24995587670474784482017-03-26T08:29:00.000-04:002017-03-27T05:22:33.700-04:00Remembering My Best BuddyMy better half Meg and I met him in August of 2001, near the family farm in southeastern Ohio, just a short drive from where I saw my truck for the first time. After making the annual drive out for the family reunion (this year will be the 49th), I was showing Meg some sights and he came out of the woods as we were pulling in to check out Dad's childhood home. We were immediately struck by his very friendly demeanor and the way he chased us down the road as we were leaving, and figured it just might be a sign that we needed to bring him home with us. After Aunt Marce confirmed that he was a stray, we knew what we had to do. We named our new family member Shay, after the road where we found him - Shay Ridge.
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<center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeIKK17AvwyVvRBi8qYW-W4jzD7TF0a03JF9tDa40mQ3xTJpzovfWz6Kz8Om6CeHQtVgmWv6_ESgbfgr5ZD6IftMWSMWn-sWXpx5UaZqHzmG2d7J-EN57Wk3BjJ2M3OJ2Hmnv7pR1f1tk/s1600/ShayMeFirstDay.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeIKK17AvwyVvRBi8qYW-W4jzD7TF0a03JF9tDa40mQ3xTJpzovfWz6Kz8Om6CeHQtVgmWv6_ESgbfgr5ZD6IftMWSMWn-sWXpx5UaZqHzmG2d7J-EN57Wk3BjJ2M3OJ2Hmnv7pR1f1tk/s320/ShayMeFirstDay.jpg" width="320" height="250" /></a>
<br> Meeting my new friend, August 2001
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfkG1WozXJ7PK2LUFXo2nowqj-LH-Sy3iwectJBy7KZFig3o-IaBLb_Vlweuqy8nQGCrLfOvEDzquVVLiXX6QIN_q3jf6YNF6a6D_MHgL3t7DeFILR-xnbffe-_KIhY6qO3IYI1j-M49k/s1600/ShayMeg.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfkG1WozXJ7PK2LUFXo2nowqj-LH-Sy3iwectJBy7KZFig3o-IaBLb_Vlweuqy8nQGCrLfOvEDzquVVLiXX6QIN_q3jf6YNF6a6D_MHgL3t7DeFILR-xnbffe-_KIhY6qO3IYI1j-M49k/s320/ShayMeg.jpg" width="320" height="261" /></a>
<br>Shay with his new mommy, August 2001</center>
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After getting him back to Connecticut and to the vet, we learned he was about 8 months old. Of course, we had no way of knowing the exact day he was born, so we decided that he would have the same birthday as Meg's grandmother, January 14th. The vet also told us that Shay had every parasite they tested for, and might have lasted another month on his own in the woods. For us that was just confirmation that we had done the right thing by bringing him home. And it might seem strange, but I've always thought he understood just how lucky he was that we came along when we did. Of course, we were very lucky too.
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<center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODrwAT-RgBQZaJD-e6EEL9G2LOLUpPDlfjc_dDEN5muK0bQ468DopRvDuQaFk_UDOcSGNkZgdYcofG6yqVOleC8w1qhGa40SXuS-JWvkC0a0gOw3xah4sjuc1hCZA4C5favbb9KeWx-w/s1600/ShayTruck.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODrwAT-RgBQZaJD-e6EEL9G2LOLUpPDlfjc_dDEN5muK0bQ468DopRvDuQaFk_UDOcSGNkZgdYcofG6yqVOleC8w1qhGa40SXuS-JWvkC0a0gOw3xah4sjuc1hCZA4C5favbb9KeWx-w/s320/ShayTruck.jpg" width="320" height="187" /></a>
<br>In the truck, summer 2014
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPibEBnvI67sULFweQwMLWJ2grPMJtbLmAtsMs4H-nUsP686yin42NmxZpEAkQAevE0oj6lqYk_QI55dCM-RIGpumj3HcNTXGh4adK8TAaRKWVx_ueThOuOcH8WUZLwZ-WFSW4rBo3sYU/s1600/2017-01-14-Shay16thBday.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPibEBnvI67sULFweQwMLWJ2grPMJtbLmAtsMs4H-nUsP686yin42NmxZpEAkQAevE0oj6lqYk_QI55dCM-RIGpumj3HcNTXGh4adK8TAaRKWVx_ueThOuOcH8WUZLwZ-WFSW4rBo3sYU/s320/2017-01-14-Shay16thBday.jpg" width="320" height="224" /></a>
<br> Celebrating Shay's 16th birthday, January 2017</center>
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<center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTVl46ZbJlgdU0-OiJvERQfN8AFzunaV9s-WXYBNjWvypoXnCItKzprbvq2vZGZ3pi0taijkrGi433d9myUdmuU8orhUJWGKI48xHvdhsa31cNZInx10WLUJO7gRaTCGa2H7ZguKmmgc/s1600/2017-03-16-ShayZackie.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTVl46ZbJlgdU0-OiJvERQfN8AFzunaV9s-WXYBNjWvypoXnCItKzprbvq2vZGZ3pi0taijkrGi433d9myUdmuU8orhUJWGKI48xHvdhsa31cNZInx10WLUJO7gRaTCGa2H7ZguKmmgc/s320/2017-03-16-ShayZackie.jpg" width="320" height="216" /></a>
<br>Little brother Zachary looking after Shay - March 16, 2017</center>
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The friendly demeanor and strong spirit he'd always had were still there, but his body was failing him. Although he was quite obviously in steady pain, he never made a sound that would indicate it. We had to carry him up and down the stairs, he had difficulty walking and a very hard time just going from standing to lying down. As much as it broke my heart to let him go, I just couldn't stand to see my boy suffer any more. He left us for the rainbow bridge on Saint Patrick's Day 2017.
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<center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8H3lRdWq73n27cTFEmSSshpjgfeLX2OsBZ7b2hEG2W8ydJvxQrTuawjgguPknIHDWBRizbWy-jOsvGwjAXEPtEcy3YxhZjh8f-X0TD27NtgHLrwa2P7KLNjvDJm26Q-vOk5h-NZAdzDI/s1600/2017-03-25-ShayPrint.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8H3lRdWq73n27cTFEmSSshpjgfeLX2OsBZ7b2hEG2W8ydJvxQrTuawjgguPknIHDWBRizbWy-jOsvGwjAXEPtEcy3YxhZjh8f-X0TD27NtgHLrwa2P7KLNjvDJm26Q-vOk5h-NZAdzDI/s320/2017-03-25-ShayPrint.jpg" width="320" height="284" /></a></center>
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I picked up his ashes yesterday, along with the paw print in clay. Meg will use some of the ashes in her garden (where Shay was always sniffing around), to mix with the soil as she plants some annuals. Come August, we'll also spread some at the spot where we met him 16 years ago, to bring the story full circle.
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See you down the road, Shayboy. I'll always miss you. Thank you for being the greatest best friend I've ever known.
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###Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6144984528200784396.post-79613235059186648752016-12-03T20:00:00.000-05:002016-12-03T20:00:38.830-05:00Parts Coming and GoingMy new friend Jim took the Bel Air engine to its new home in New York last Saturday. It was a pleasure chatting and doing business with him. Loved hearing about his sizable collection of vehicles and various projects. He checked out the '49 chassis while he was here, then emailed on Sunday to say he wants that too. Figured I better get busy removing the body, and managed to get the front clip off the truck today. It was easier than I thought and not difficult to move. The bed and hopefully the cab will come off tomorrow, along with the bumpers and brackets.
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When the Fed Ex man rolled into the driveway while I was wrenching today, I figured it was something for Meg. I certainly wasn't expecting the S10 parts I ordered from Rock Auto on Thursday night with the cheapest shipping option, but there they were. I'd call that pretty good service! It was a welcome surprise that added a nice touch to the day.
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<center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwuLo7gahQ1SznlxhnZIWIfqkgO0kSEdYVTydr8bnDfq0jtEJ8ldcdDdxZaYjhuaxzlhedhqwm6P9q3sOSnt0ksea9FPKCL0VMZ-wZoqLkdBwH4EgziHFmVRO0bsOdWWQ6nHayFA0lQGQ/s1600/2016-12-03-FrontClipOff.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwuLo7gahQ1SznlxhnZIWIfqkgO0kSEdYVTydr8bnDfq0jtEJ8ldcdDdxZaYjhuaxzlhedhqwm6P9q3sOSnt0ksea9FPKCL0VMZ-wZoqLkdBwH4EgziHFmVRO0bsOdWWQ6nHayFA0lQGQ/s320/2016-12-03-FrontClipOff.jpg" width="320" height="159" /></a></center>
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No luck yet finding a temporary indoor space to pull the S10 body parts (which will be sold - they're in great shape) and get the chassis cleaned up for the swap. I guess I could put it here with the '49 chassis out of the way, but I'd really rather not have to count on good weather to be able to get work done. Maybe Santa will finally bring me that garage I've been asking for every year... ;-)
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Thanks for stopping by! See y'all down the road!
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###Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6144984528200784396.post-76476821469533011652016-11-26T07:54:00.000-05:002016-11-26T07:54:22.423-05:00Bel Air Engine Goes Down the RoadThe '53 Bel Air engine has been sold and will be picked up today, as preparation for the chassis swap continues. Some have expressed concern that swapping in the '91 S10 chassis will devalue the truck. I would agree if we were talking about an all original '49, but this is not the case. Mine wasn't even original when my brother bought it in Missouri and drove it home to Connecticut in 1981. The original blue had been painted over, it was on its second engine and Pete swapped in a different '49 chassis that was in better shape.
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For as long as I live the truck will never be for sale for any price anyway. The real value for me is in the story, and how it's all dedicated to Mom's memory. When the swap is done we'll have a comfortable, dependable driver that will get me not only down to the Sycamore and other nearby events with ease, but also across the country and back, allowing me to cross the epic road trip off the top of my bucket list.
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Looking forward to working with and learning from Jason Woodage at Custom Conversions in New Milford, as we write the next chapter in the history of this old beauty.
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Thanks for stopping by! See y'all down the road!
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###Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6144984528200784396.post-42748425556941823672016-10-31T20:39:00.000-04:002016-10-31T20:39:03.049-04:00Dream Trip First LookTime and circumstances will tell whether or not it actually happens, but I figured I better start planning just in case. So let it henceforth be remembered that on Halloween 2016, the overgrown boy posted a rough draft of the epic, top of the bucket list road trip he hopes to take in the old truck in the summer of 2018. I'm thinking Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk, CT would make a good starting point...
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<center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrSeOhOhA0KqdtEm9W-BuQ6VtLv0t3rXdh2HKC2Nt-fZ5TRIzhCJ96ZiW6deN4QLW9MEs4K5BhvO53q8U9FlYnJhToY8XiTfYHgHC1lnq4Fyz_fZ4rPAb9kfkffjNf5fvw6E95LWZFSE/s1600/RoadTripThirdDraft.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrSeOhOhA0KqdtEm9W-BuQ6VtLv0t3rXdh2HKC2Nt-fZ5TRIzhCJ96ZiW6deN4QLW9MEs4K5BhvO53q8U9FlYnJhToY8XiTfYHgHC1lnq4Fyz_fZ4rPAb9kfkffjNf5fvw6E95LWZFSE/s320/RoadTripThirdDraft.jpg" width="320" height="163" /></a>
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(click photo for larger version)</center>
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Some of the numbers you see are just waypoints to mark the route, but there are several that do actually mark planned stops. There will certainly be more added before the route is final, but for now here we go... #2 is Sawdust, Tennessee, where the fine folks at Possum Holler Garage have provided immeasurable inspiration for my truck project with perfect restorations of trucks like mine. #3 is East Adams Street in Chicago, where Historic Route 66 begins. The Mother Road was decommissioned as a highway in the 80's, but about 85% of the route remains driveable. This trip will follow it from beginning to end. Along the way, stop #7 is the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas. Definitely gonna bust out the spray paint and leave my mark there.
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Slight detour northward for #9, Grand Canyon. Flew over it once and was blown away. Can't imagine what it will be like standing on the rim...
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#12 is the Santa Monica Pier, where the trip west will be complete and we'll splash the truck with Pacific Ocean water. Then it's a short run south to Huntington Beach for #13, a stop at Foose Design and hopefully a meet and greet with Chip Foose (who you may know from the show Overhaulin'), another huge inspiration for the old truck dream.
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A cruise up the Pacific Coast Highway is next, with a right turn at San Francisco to start headin' back east... #14 is Kindig It Design in Salt Lake City, Utah, where Dave Kindig and his crew have been doing killer custom and restoration work for a long time. Their show on Velocity is called Bitchin' Rides, and every one they do fits the show name perfectly. Hope to meet Dave as well, another huge inspiration.
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#15 is Eagle, Colorado, where my friends Bob and Laura live. I've been saying for a long time that one day my truck will sit in their driveway and we'll do some cruisin' through the beautiful Rocky Mountains. Really looking forward to that.
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#16 is the big one, and the whole reason I want this trip to happen in 2018. The goal is to roll into our 50th family reunion that August in New Matamoras, Ohio, finally returning my '49 Chevy to the place where I saw it for the very first time in the summer of 1981.
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I certainly understand that the whole thing represents a pretty tall order, but I figure screw it, if you're gonna dream you might as well dream big. It won't be the end of the world if it doesn't happen, but it will mean the world if it does. And it will all be for Mom. If you're not familiar with the whole story, please check out the link to it on the right of the page here.
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Thanks for stopping by! See y'all down the road!
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###Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6144984528200784396.post-68470029639277265642016-10-28T06:05:00.000-04:002016-10-28T06:05:56.176-04:00Still Looking for SpaceI might be eating cheese and peanut butter crackers for lunch for a few weeks, but when my part time radio station pay hits the bank on Monday, I'll have the money to pay for the '91 S10 and actually take it into my possession. This is a very solid, running, driving truck - a pretty amazing find, actually - and a perfect candidate for the chassis swap. There will be some fabrication involved to make it all work, but we will basically be simply swapping out the S10 body and replacing it with the '49 body on the S10 chassis. This will give us the modern suspension, power steering, power brakes, 5 speed manual transmission and highway friendly gearing we've been looking for all in one shot. The cost of adding all those things piece by piece to the existing chassis would easily run into the thousands, several multiples of what I'll be paying for the S10. The existing V6 will supply the power while I save up for the 350 that will eventually replace it. It's a fantastic deal, and I'm thankful for the patience of Joe, the current owner, while I raised the money to complete it.
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The problem now, however, is I have no place to put the S10. We have no garage here at the house, and already two extra vehicles in the driveway. No room. I've been cruising the classifieds, making calls and sending messages trying to find either an enclosed spot with enough room to remove the S10 body and clean up the chassis, or simply store the truck safely outside while I continue the search. And of course the fact that this is a low budget show doesn't help.
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If you happen to be local to the Danbury, CT area and know of something around here that might work, please feel free to contact me directly anytime via the email link on the right side of this page.
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Thanks! See y'all down the road!
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###Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6144984528200784396.post-4983308459513701262016-10-11T06:15:00.000-04:002016-10-11T06:15:26.606-04:00Slight Change in DirectionThanks to an exciting and unexpected opportunity, I've decided to alter the approach of the GoFundMe campaign. Those who have been to the page previously will notice that the goal amount has been drastically reduced. This is mainly because I have managed to acquire a running, driving 1991 Chevy S10 at a very reasonable cost. Those familiar with late 40's - early 50's GM truck projects like mine will know that the chassis of this S10 is really what we're after, and it is in fantastic shape. Having all the necessary parts already in place (5 speed manual transmission, drive shaft, rear end, and modern suspension front and rear) greatly reduces overall project cost.
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<center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1AqAupQ3ad5_j1WNkCArbKsJ8NjENUyi1fEkDdNd2N7WVUgfcguJERm191wvdElwA9ElK3yWpYd-S5M1DJyTvcOaJIAD5henkF_tzDK6UsffoXvuNYmeB3lwQ43fSeSGjUu_231mBm2Q/s1600/2016-10-08-1991S10-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1AqAupQ3ad5_j1WNkCArbKsJ8NjENUyi1fEkDdNd2N7WVUgfcguJERm191wvdElwA9ElK3yWpYd-S5M1DJyTvcOaJIAD5henkF_tzDK6UsffoXvuNYmeB3lwQ43fSeSGjUu_231mBm2Q/s320/2016-10-08-1991S10-01.jpg" width="320" height="180" /></a></center>
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The S10 wheelbase is the same as the existing '49 chassis, so with some minor fabrication we will be able to simply remove the 90's truck body and replace it with the '49. When the chassis swap is finished the truck will look exactly the same as it does today.
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We'll still need a complete interior (including all gauges, heat, & ac) rewiring from end to end and a complete rebuild of the planned 350 GM engine that will get us across the country and back (which currently sits in pieces on a shelf at Custom Conversions in New Milford, CT). I will be able to do some of the work myself, but most will be well beyond my skill level, so labor costs will be significant. And of course there's also the overall expense of the trip itself. I'm fairly sure 10k will cover it all. If not, I suppose we'll have to cross that bridge when we come to it.
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I have to say that I struggled with the idea of a chassis swap for a long time, because it obviously removes a major part of the truck that I fell in love with 35 years ago. But the natural way this opportunity presented itself leads me to believe that Mom would approve. Those familiar with the story of this truck in our family know that the project and road trip dream have always been a tribute to her memory.
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If you're not familiar with the full story, please <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/29vxmy4" target="_New">visit the GoFundMe page</a> to read it in its entirety. And of course if you would like to help the cause with a contribution or a simple share of the GoFundMe link I would truly appreciate it. Please feel free to email me directly anytime via the link on the right here with any questions.
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Thanks very much and we'll see y'all down the road!
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###Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6144984528200784396.post-88029023593831589452016-09-26T05:46:00.000-04:002016-09-26T05:46:58.152-04:00Johnny's Carburetor LessonAnd the education continues... This weekend I learned that the carburetor should remain upright at all times while detached from the motor. Because mine didn't after I picked it up from being rebuilt on Friday, the needle that controls fuel flow into the carb became dislodged and it was literally overflowing. Thankfully, Jason from Custom Conversions in New Milford (who rebuilt the carb) was able to stop by and help us out. I'm sure it's the last place his wife and son wanted to be while they were out and about on Saturday, and I'm very appreciative of their patience while Jason took the time to figure out our problem.
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So the carburetor is now good to go, but we also discovered this weekend that the water pump is definitely bad. It had been leaking when we first got the new motor running and I was hoping the new gasket install would do the trick, but the leak is still there. Ordered up the new pump, which should be here by Thursday or Friday. Hopefully we'll be taking a drive next weekend, as we welcome in October.
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Thanks for stopping by! See y'all down the road!
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###Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6144984528200784396.post-7966436341239288812016-09-04T09:28:00.000-04:002016-09-04T09:28:07.835-04:00When Problems Lead to a Good DayI really wanted to hit the last cruise of the season at the Sycamore yesterday, but it wasn't in the cards. Would have been nice, but not a big deal in the grand scheme of things that we couldn't get there.
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<center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ehyphenhyphen75G14bNneakRhteKLwhLaRpWhe5eXUXDbYYgtDJ8-TLfZ2AcVqZhZGjc5dDmfSvvvkx-9hhxaWX6wcwJoun5q9CpTyyJl-2N2F8P3_IWp8GrM_vNCJU1MfoKJ5uhYxb0SRZ_nS_A/s1600/2016-09-03-NoCruiseTonight.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ehyphenhyphen75G14bNneakRhteKLwhLaRpWhe5eXUXDbYYgtDJ8-TLfZ2AcVqZhZGjc5dDmfSvvvkx-9hhxaWX6wcwJoun5q9CpTyyJl-2N2F8P3_IWp8GrM_vNCJU1MfoKJ5uhYxb0SRZ_nS_A/s320/2016-09-03-NoCruiseTonight.jpg" width="320" height="180" /></a><br>As she sat yesterday morning</center>
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Here's the upside: The issue that revealed itself on Friday may be keeping us off the road just a little longer, but it led to a great new connection yesterday. Funny how these things happen...
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Rob came over on Friday, we got the linkage figured out after a little trial and error, and now she shifts like butter. The problem comes when we get to 3rd gear. The motor bogs down big time, like we're not getting enough gas and she's getting ready to stall. Also seemed to be running rough, like the timing is off. Of course, my limited mechanical knowledge had me scratching my head, not sure what to do next.
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A couple hours later, my better half and I are out having dinner and watching friends play music when I get a text from Rob. He explained the issue to a custom/restoration/repair pro he knows, whose shop just happens to be a mile or so down the road. He agreed to take a look, and I figured even if I've only got two gears that will get me there and back, so off I went yesterday morning.
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Jason was speaking with a client when I walked into his shop, so I took a couple minutes to enjoy the scenery. Among the projects he has going are a '69 Firebird, an early Mustang coupe he's turning into a fastback, and a gorgeous '40 Chevy truck. The high quality of his work was evident immediately. I knew right away that beyond taking care of my current issue, he will be working on my truck whenever I can spare the cha-ching. As everyone with a project like mine knows, there's always something to be done.
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Jason spent probably a half hour with me, going over the truck and making recommendations. Biggest thing is a carb rebuild, which makes sense because the engine sat for so long. As he explained, things go bad with long periods of inactivity. Jason will do the rebuild, which is above my skill level. He also pointed out some things that I can handle myself, like different plugs, new gaskets for the water pump and thermostat and changing to the 40-50 weight oil that these engines originally ran on, with a zinc additive.
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For those who do social media, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Custom-Conversions-213364698714872" Target="_New">here is the Facebook page for Jason's business</a>. Check out the pics, give the page a like and share with friends. It's good stuff!
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And for the old schoolers, here's the business card:
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<center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrxeEySXG8R_m0hyAAWTzqXUUg0GVjummTIL5kbV_nqq0GWErMo-k7sRb62pZ11f_wOxEiGKJNF9oLK_3FVSoYjwWw1ZCE1lWiOtw1L9wApXu4Cf0e3Gii7kRWJt8yWGuIzs8SgMcTdbo/s1600/2016-09-03-JasonCard.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrxeEySXG8R_m0hyAAWTzqXUUg0GVjummTIL5kbV_nqq0GWErMo-k7sRb62pZ11f_wOxEiGKJNF9oLK_3FVSoYjwWw1ZCE1lWiOtw1L9wApXu4Cf0e3Gii7kRWJt8yWGuIzs8SgMcTdbo/s320/2016-09-03-JasonCard.jpg" width="320" height="178" /></a></center>
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For the record, these mentions of Jason's business are completely unsolicited by him. I just think he's a nice guy who does great work that more people should know about. Looking forward to working with him. Can't believe I've lived in this town for 16 years and just met him yesterday!
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Now, about that ride home...
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Everything was fine until I came to our hill. About a third of the way up, the engine sputtered to a stop like she was out of gas and wouldn't restart. Managed to roll backwards into someone's driveway, got going back down the hill and popped the clutch to get it running again. Since both ends of our hill connect to the lake road, I figured I'd try the other side, which isn't quite as steep. On the way there she stalled again, on another slight uphill. Wasn't looking good for the other side, but got running again and tried anyway. Same result. Then it hit me: What about going up in reverse? So there I was with the truck, exactly as it appears in the picture above, going up Carmen Hill in reverse. It seemed to be working and I was pretty proud of myself, until she quit again. Luckily, a nice stranger named Joe rolled up just then in his truck, and got me the last half mile or so home with the heavy duty chain he happened to have with him. Pretty cool that he just happens to be another Steelers fan. Thanks again, Joe!
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Now sitting on the level driveway, the truck started up again and got parked. I figured that was enough excitement for one day. It may not have been perfect, but ultimately it was a good one.
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Thanks for stopping by. See y'all down the road!
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###Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6144984528200784396.post-86712830964870747182016-08-29T06:37:00.000-04:002016-08-29T06:37:04.037-04:00Sweet RedemptionWhen I knew we'd be making the attempt on Sunday, I decided that it would be a great subject for <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JohnnyP49/videos/1049343431845382/" Target="_New">my first ever Facebook live video</a>. For the sake of authenticity, I also decided that there would be no test fire before we went live. Good or bad, I wanted my friends to experience it with me. Thankfully, aside from a manifold exhaust leak, a missing accelerator spring that caused the engine to fire up wide open and a whacked out shifter, the end result was good. We'll get those issues fixed and be on the road this week.
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This project has always been a tribute to Mom, and I'm sure she was smiling.
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Thanks for stopping by. See y'all down the road!
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###Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6144984528200784396.post-68036842751398474362016-08-26T06:29:00.000-04:002016-08-26T06:29:34.197-04:00New Power in PlaceIt took a lot of trying, but we finally got the new engine in place yesterday. Many thanks to my friend and coworker Rob for his invaluable help. Now we just need to get everything reconnected and hopefully we'll be firing up the '53 Bel Air motor this weekend.
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<center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvVAYRmtAFH5r-MJGOQAOwsW5Ly0rfdL_hIx-g26LKw0-13ZQoCMsBhMJJkpNix6HfGU5e1tvonX0oHQ1Np5Cgkkn0RGoEEGKEm1NSVzscbXmoyOXwSw3gjfbU5LpXDUPbAme3JKEebw/s1600/2016-08-25-ShesIn.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvVAYRmtAFH5r-MJGOQAOwsW5Ly0rfdL_hIx-g26LKw0-13ZQoCMsBhMJJkpNix6HfGU5e1tvonX0oHQ1Np5Cgkkn0RGoEEGKEm1NSVzscbXmoyOXwSw3gjfbU5LpXDUPbAme3JKEebw/s320/2016-08-25-ShesIn.jpg" width="320" height="180" /></a></center>
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And the story continues...
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Thanks for stopping by! See y'all down the road!
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###Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6144984528200784396.post-9852048038746744492016-08-10T07:03:00.000-04:002016-08-10T07:03:03.680-04:00Engine FreeGot the old motor pulled yesterday. Today I'll clean up the engine bay and start the process of swapping our existing transmission, bell housing and flywheel to the new 235. We'll be going with a new clutch, pressure plate and throwout bearing, and I'll have the flywheel resurfaced before it goes in.
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<center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNLQOfyZPz3TaavejJb5TryosAgM45Xe09ivGpGKT0nDN-4VbWjxBXNxksO6t64-eSgaEhctBXBjIGdaA9JG213auk_DoaVdyGap2sKkBqcvnlXsfrbPYrn_zdi8ivm5faXYzT0rl_Fw/s1600/2016-08-09-EmptyEngineBay.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNLQOfyZPz3TaavejJb5TryosAgM45Xe09ivGpGKT0nDN-4VbWjxBXNxksO6t64-eSgaEhctBXBjIGdaA9JG213auk_DoaVdyGap2sKkBqcvnlXsfrbPYrn_zdi8ivm5faXYzT0rl_Fw/s320/2016-08-09-EmptyEngineBay.jpg" width="320" height="189" /></a>
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Empty engine bay waiting for a cleaning
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9U0KW6IuJHvDZazA4UM6haaO-n1e42E9x1RLf4GeDAnDrMwPiW450MXhPwb3z3e4P1XUC199p3ZGr4V5trktwj905ug9YTSV6ozWFplT6crDp68LbzW3CEUZEG4X9wlCmzgGnT5GEBQ/s1600/2016-08-09-TwoEngines.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9U0KW6IuJHvDZazA4UM6haaO-n1e42E9x1RLf4GeDAnDrMwPiW450MXhPwb3z3e4P1XUC199p3ZGr4V5trktwj905ug9YTSV6ozWFplT6crDp68LbzW3CEUZEG4X9wlCmzgGnT5GEBQ/s320/2016-08-09-TwoEngines.jpg" width="320" height="186" /></a>
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New engine ('53) is actually older than the old one ('61)
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Hoping to have the new engine in place by the end of the day tomorrow, then off to Ohio for our 48th family reunion this weekend. Doing the epic road trip and having this thing at the 50th in two years would be another dream come true...
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Thanks for stopping. See y'all down the road!
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###Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0