Looking Back: Our First Summer on the Road

Plenty of driving time left for the year, but with Labor Day Weekend and the hometown Sycamore wrapping up their cruise season yesterday, I figured it would be a good time to reflect on a fantastic first summer behind the wheel.

First things first: This truck would unquestionably still be sitting silent if it were not for some very special people, who, over the course of the last five years, lent the expertise that really made this thing happen. Brian rebuilt the carburetor. Jim made it run again for the first time since 1985, and did a bunch of wiring to get the brake lights, turn indicators and horn working. Dean welded up the rough spots on the rear fenders so I could get them back on. Steve fixed a bad spot in the frame and installed the front disc brake kit. And Alex smoothed out the bed sides, welded on the new stake pockets, fabricated a mount for the new dual feed master cylinder, finished up the brake job and worked with Jim on the final wiring. I don't know if I'll ever be able to fully express the appreciation I have for these friends and all their help.

The Danbury DMV was packed on May 21st, but I could not have cared less. I had a pen, my checkbook and all the necessary paperwork, and I knew that all I had to do was get in the door and I would eventually get my turn that day. When my number was called a little less than 90 minutes later, I bounded up to the counter like a giddy little school kid. I asked the 20 something guy who was helping me if he was into old trucks. “Nah, not really,” he said. I smiled and laughed and thanked him for being part of a very special moment anyway. Then I took my plates and smiled all the way out the door. Finally, the old truck was once again officially registered.

Nine days later, on Saturday May 30th, 2015, with many friends and family in attendance to indulge this old overgrown boy, the 34 year dream became reality. And what a very special day it was...



Here's a shot of the brothers and me from the big day. Left to right: Dan, yours truly, Chris, Pete...



Another day I could only dream about for a long time finally happened on June 6th. Our first trip to cruise night at the Sycamore in Bethel, the town where I grew up...



On July 11th came our first car show, an annual event put on by the Warren Volunteer Fire Company...



Right next to the actual Sycamore tree on August 22nd...



And last night at the final cruise of the Sycamore season, next to Dean's Camaro...



In between it all there were a few trips over to Alex's in Brewster, New York (45 minutes via the back roads), and lots of short "just for fun" drives around town. I'm very appreciative of all the smiles and kind comments from people at our various stops. It's been an awesome summer.


I have to admit that many times during the ten year stretch between buying this truck from my brother and finally getting it on the road, I wondered if it would actually happen before I was too old to drive. But if you want something bad enough, you'll find a way to persevere through the lean times and hang on to the dream. I wanted this more than I can tell you. As I've said many times, for the 34 years I have known this truck it has been impossible to look at or even just think about without also thinking of Mom, whose tragic death I learned about less than five minutes after seeing the truck for the first time. Through all the times of doubt, when the whole idea of driving it seemed so overwhelming for this total amateur, her memory was always there, as if to say "DON'T let this go, John. MAKE it happen. Don't worry about how long it takes."

So I didn't let go, and so it is. We finally got 'er goin' down the road again. Thank you, Mom. I love you and miss you every day.


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Reunion Road Trip

In every August since 1969, we've gathered on the family farm in southeast Ohio for the annual family reunion. The 47th edition happened last weekend. It's a wonderful tradition that I'm proud to be a part of, and we look forward to it every year.

The farm is just down the road from where I saw this truck for the first time 34 years ago. Hoping to have it in good enough shape to make the 600 mile trip by the time the 50th reunion rolls around in 2018. It would really be special if we can bring this thing full circle, back to where I first laid eyes on it.

Here's a little video documentation of this year's reunion festivities...




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Rear View

Yesterday was a truck day from start to finish. The new splash aprons (the pieces between the cab and rear fenders) that arrived Friday went on, as did the rear fender braces I've had forever but found just yesterday while searching for primer. Also finished an update of the rear bumper, and thought it would be a good idea to explain what people who roll up behind us in traffic are looking at. Click on the photo for a larger view...



Mom & Dad - This project has always been a tribute to Mom, who died tragically just as the truck came into the family in August of 1981. Two and a half years later, in February 1984, Dad was diagnosed with cancer. He passed away in July that year. Suddenly, just barely out of my teens, I was truly on my own. It was a little scary as I recall, but thankfully I had found direction in a radio career that was just beginning. Funny how it took years for some of it to finally sink in, but Mom and Dad taught me a lot.

Be Kind - The logo for Arizona based Ben's Bells, a non profit organization with the mission of spreading kindness. One of their programs had already been brought to a Newtown school, and after the Sandy Hook tragedy when so many were seeking them out, they decided to add a second location in Newtown. They have since outgrown that space, and are in the process of opening their new location in Bethel. Please check out their website to learn more.

LT - Liz Teed, another loved one lost to tragedy in November 2014. Lizzy, as I always called her, was first a classmate way back in the day, then sister-in-law to my better half. When Meg was doing her "due diligence" on me 15 years ago, it was Liz who recalled those school days and put in the good word. I'll always remember her as one of the warmest, kindest people I have ever known, and I'm sure it came quite naturally to her to be involved with Ben's Bells.

S.H.E.S. - Sandy Hook Elementary School, about a 15 minute drive from our house. The loss of 26 perfectly innocent souls in December 2012 will forever be hard to fathom. Just my small way honoring those souls, and showing support for their loved ones and the community.

The rest pretty much speaks for itself. It may have taken 34 years, but I am indeed living the dream every time I take this thing down the road. And the best part is we're just getting started. At the top of the bucket list is a ground up restoration, followed by a cross country road trip featuring a full length run of Route 66. Not sure exactly how we'll get there, but then again I wasn't sure how we'd get on the road either. I just hope it doesn't take another 34 years... ;-)

Please feel free to say hi via email anytime. Thanks for riding along!


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