After reaching out to all the key figures over the weekend and receiving a unanimous favorable response, we have a date for the first drive. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, this truck will go down the road under its own power for the first time since 1984 on Saturday, May 30th. I wanted to set a date well ahead of time, since we'll have family and friends coming from near and far to be here.
Just a few things to wrap up in the meantime:
Rear brakes
Tail lights
New battery
A trailer trip to Steve's outdoor lift, to run the new brake lines and install the new master cylinder
Shift linkage repair (to keep it from jamming)
Registration and insurance
Really looking forward to what will be a huge day for this old boy, as well as sharing it here through pictures and video. Thanks to all for coming along for the ride!
- J
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Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Friday, March 20, 2015
The Thank You Series, Part 7 of 7
Spring 2015 arrives today at 6:45pm, along with an inch to several inches of new snow, according to the forecast. Old Man Winter lookin' to get his last licks in, I guess. No biggie. We're gonna go right ahead and welcome in the new season with excitement and anticipation, as we look forward to this old beauty finally going down the road again for the first time since 1984.
The Thank You Series is the result of my desire to publicly show my heartfelt appreciation for some very special people, without whose help and inspiration this whole thing would still be nothing more than a fanciful dream. I've had a wonderful time putting the series together, and can't wait to get on the road and take y'all along for the ride! With that, it's time for our final installment...
Part 7 of 7: Peter, Daniel, Christopher
My three older brothers. It was Pete who brought this truck into our family in 1981. Powered by the sense of adventure we inherited from our mother, he set out that summer to live his own lifelong dream of riding his bicycle from coast to coast. It was during this epic ride that he discovered the truck in Missouri. He left a deposit and went back after completing his bike trip to finish the deal, then drove the truck home to Connecticut. For all the details from then to now, please see "John's Old Truck – The Whole Story."
Late 60's
Pete and Dan not only sparked my lifelong passion for music, but are also a key influence my wide ranging appreciation for classic vehicles. In addition to Dad's Ford wagon and '68 Cutlass, there was Pete's Corvair, the '66 Mustang he and Dan shared, the old Pontiac that Dan was finally convinced to buy from our friends up the street (I think he refused at first because it had four doors), Pete's '64 Chevy van, the Rambler that used to be a telephone company car (complete with a hole in the roof where the two way radio antenna used to be), Dan's Mustang II (Why, Danny? Why?!), and of course this 1949 Chevy truck. And with the earlier rides, I definitely heard a few good swear words for the first time as the older boys and Dad would be working on them in the driveway.
Mid to late 70's
Thank you, big brothers, not only for sparing Chris and me after we constantly disrupted your band practices in our basement "Jam Room," but also all the invaluable influence. And thanks to you, Chris, for cheering this project on from day one and holding the camera that captured that first start after all those years. Big thanks also to our pit crew, who were all here when she finally fired up again: Nephews Michael and Tim and niece Kelly.
September 2013, at nephew Michael's wedding
And one more for the first born: Thank you, Peter, not only for living the dream that created mine, but also for providing me with the opportunity to make it real.
Pete with the truck in '81-'82
When this old thing is finally ready to go down the road again later this spring, Peter will be the first driver. That's going to be a very special day, and I know without a doubt that Mom will be right there riding with us.
###
The Thank You Series is the result of my desire to publicly show my heartfelt appreciation for some very special people, without whose help and inspiration this whole thing would still be nothing more than a fanciful dream. I've had a wonderful time putting the series together, and can't wait to get on the road and take y'all along for the ride! With that, it's time for our final installment...
Part 7 of 7: Peter, Daniel, Christopher
My three older brothers. It was Pete who brought this truck into our family in 1981. Powered by the sense of adventure we inherited from our mother, he set out that summer to live his own lifelong dream of riding his bicycle from coast to coast. It was during this epic ride that he discovered the truck in Missouri. He left a deposit and went back after completing his bike trip to finish the deal, then drove the truck home to Connecticut. For all the details from then to now, please see "John's Old Truck – The Whole Story."
Late 60's
Pete and Dan not only sparked my lifelong passion for music, but are also a key influence my wide ranging appreciation for classic vehicles. In addition to Dad's Ford wagon and '68 Cutlass, there was Pete's Corvair, the '66 Mustang he and Dan shared, the old Pontiac that Dan was finally convinced to buy from our friends up the street (I think he refused at first because it had four doors), Pete's '64 Chevy van, the Rambler that used to be a telephone company car (complete with a hole in the roof where the two way radio antenna used to be), Dan's Mustang II (Why, Danny? Why?!), and of course this 1949 Chevy truck. And with the earlier rides, I definitely heard a few good swear words for the first time as the older boys and Dad would be working on them in the driveway.
Mid to late 70's
Thank you, big brothers, not only for sparing Chris and me after we constantly disrupted your band practices in our basement "Jam Room," but also all the invaluable influence. And thanks to you, Chris, for cheering this project on from day one and holding the camera that captured that first start after all those years. Big thanks also to our pit crew, who were all here when she finally fired up again: Nephews Michael and Tim and niece Kelly.
September 2013, at nephew Michael's wedding
And one more for the first born: Thank you, Peter, not only for living the dream that created mine, but also for providing me with the opportunity to make it real.
Pete with the truck in '81-'82
When this old thing is finally ready to go down the road again later this spring, Peter will be the first driver. That's going to be a very special day, and I know without a doubt that Mom will be right there riding with us.
###
Thursday, March 12, 2015
The Thank You Series, Part 6 of 7
Spring is now less than a week away and the anticipation is building. Not yet sure exactly when it will happen, but at some point before spring turns to summer, the rubber will meet the road and Johnny will be a very happy boy. As I have said and will continue to say, it would not be possible without the help of some very special people, which is why I came up with the Thank You Series. Nobody gets where they're going with such endeavors by themselves, and I believe strongly that you never forget those who so graciously give of themselves to help you. With that in mind, here's our next installment...
Part 6 of 7: Alex
We met through his sister, a close friend of my better half Meg. Janice would come over to the house, see the truck and say "You have to meet my brother," who, as it turns out, does top notch restoration and custom work. He's got a gorgeous '68 Firebird, a very cool rat rod that looks like something you might have seen on The Munsters, and is currently working on a pair of classic Mustangs.
Alex at work, flanked by his Firebird and one of the Mustangs
It was Alex who cleaned up the truck's rough bed sides, welded on the new angle strips and rear stake pockets and repaired one of the original GM six lug wheels so I could get tires mounted. He'll also be our go to guy for any mechanical work that I can't handle. Thank you for your friendship, knowledge and expertise, Alex! Can't tell you how much I appreciate it, and can't wait to see those 'Stangs all done up!
The seventh and final installment of The Thank You Series will appear on Friday March 20th, the day Spring arrives. Stay tuned!
###
Part 6 of 7: Alex
We met through his sister, a close friend of my better half Meg. Janice would come over to the house, see the truck and say "You have to meet my brother," who, as it turns out, does top notch restoration and custom work. He's got a gorgeous '68 Firebird, a very cool rat rod that looks like something you might have seen on The Munsters, and is currently working on a pair of classic Mustangs.
Alex at work, flanked by his Firebird and one of the Mustangs
It was Alex who cleaned up the truck's rough bed sides, welded on the new angle strips and rear stake pockets and repaired one of the original GM six lug wheels so I could get tires mounted. He'll also be our go to guy for any mechanical work that I can't handle. Thank you for your friendship, knowledge and expertise, Alex! Can't tell you how much I appreciate it, and can't wait to see those 'Stangs all done up!
The seventh and final installment of The Thank You Series will appear on Friday March 20th, the day Spring arrives. Stay tuned!
###
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