2014 Update ... Doug sold his truck in April to a guy who worked for the local power company. He saw the truck as he was driving thru the neighborhood. He paid me more than what I paid for it. He did some work to it and a month later, he had it on Craigslist for double the price he paid me! Hopefully, he got it!

01 November 2013
# 3036

Owned by Doug Evans "a.d.-hawk" Bolter # 11113 Radiator Springs--Cutest Little Town in Carburetor County

1968 Chevy Custom C10

More pictures of my old truck

Join the discussion about this truck

From Peggy :

Well, this is a fine how-do-ya do! I've been waiting for the story on the Doug's Reunion score!

There we all were in Kansas City, having a great time when Doug and Tanja said they had to leave the partay to go "look at a truck." Now if he had said to go to the mall or something, I believe he would have gotten the big Stovebolt "WHATTTT??!!" But, everyone was excited. He wasn't going to look at A truck ... but two!

So, back at the Park, we had a long fun day and some good chow. We headed back to the hotel, wondering how Doug made out.

Slowly we gather in the "refreshment center" of the hotel and after a bit, here comes Doug with a huge grin on his face. He told a bit about his story but the guys were elbowing him out the door so they could all go see it.

And here's his story.

From Doug:

Well, I had been in the market for an older, used truck, like a 1995-98 Chevy or GMC. When those prospects were not panning out, I started looking at the 1967-72 trucks. While we were in KC, I found a 1971 GMC in our price range and, more importantly, something my Wife liked.

It took a lot of messing around to meet up with the guy in the first place and in the process, it cost us a lot of lost time with the other folks at the Reunion.

I got the walk around and sales pitch and we decided to buy. Strangely, that prompted the seller to mention that his ex-Brother-in-law had the hots to buy the truck, but was on the fence. And, he added, the title hadn't been changed over to him.

I told him that if it was an issue, I would pass. We left and he called back saying that he would sell.

We came back later that evening, got the truck, got the spare parts (which he promised but had seller's remorse, I think) and the title. We headed back to the hotel.

I had a great time driving the truck. Yet, I had an uneasy feeling all the way back to the hotel and into the next morning.

Sunday morning came and we loaded up for the drive home. About the time we reached the Kansas City airport, my phone rings (as the truck is getting really hot). It's the guy we bought the truck from. He said that he was worried about how we would make it home because the truck was not really as proven on the road as he had told me. He admitted he was worried about the title business, too.

That finished it for me. We turned around, took the truck back, got our money and skeedaddled on home.

My Wife was upset and helped me start hunting on Craigslist. I jumped on an ad for a 1968 Chevy in Lincoln, Nebraska, about an hour after it was posted and set up to look at it that evening. It was an older restored truck that has weathered and will need some refurbishing. The seller was financing the end of the restoration on his 1960s era Fiat 500.

Originally, it had a a six cylinder and three speed. It now has a new 350 and TH350 transmission. Additionally, the original six lug wheels have been upgraded to five lug and disc brakes from a 1972.

It all looked good. We went back the next day and bought the truck. I drove it home from the Southwest corner of Lincoln with Tanja following because the brake lights were not working ... all the while unaware of how bad the rear suspension was because of rust out on the arms. It was bad enough that when I started jacking up the rear, both springs fell out.

So, after a short 12 hours as a GMC owner and a week later, I have a Gallery story not about the 1971 GMC that "got away" but about our 1968 Chevy Custom 10.

I got my drivers licence in my Dads 1970 Chevy CST 10 and have always had a soft spot for the 1967-'72s. This 1968 is the fourth one I've owned.

I had looked at many before this one including a extremely nice 1972 Custom 10 about an hour from home that I found on the way back from Kansas City. The '72 was about double what I gave for the '68, but it was an absolute beauty with only 47,000 miles. Came with all the paperwork from delivery ... even from the dealership in my home town. I even know the salesman that sold it. But, I really like this '68. It does need some old bodywork re-done and I'm currently working on replacing the rear trailing arms because of rust.

It's a nice release from all the hours at work.

The current plan is to drive and have fun, which I have been doing for the past month. Future plans include a trip to KC next September for the Tenth Stovebolt Reunion. (And we'll be expecting you two! ~ Editor)

For those of you who remember my 1950 Chevy 3600, I sold it about two years ago. That was a hard decision but one that needed to be made. But no worries: an AD truck is still on my bucket list.

In the Photobucket link, the picture of the truck with the dogs and my Nieces was the first time they had gone for a ride. On the way to the park, the one looking out the passenger's window (eight years old) asked how to roll the window down -- she "couldn't find the switch." I was immediately intrigued by this and explained to her that it had to be cranked down by hand ... imagine the perplexed expression and big smile when she made that work! Uncle Doug was even cooler than before!

So, after a brief dry spell, I am glad to be back on the site ... still with a new / old Stovebolt! Thank you all for keeping the light on for me!

-30-