1972 Chevrolet C-10 Fleetside 1/2-Ton

Owned by Kent Waddington and Dumont Yaraskavitch "kentwaddington" Bolter # 17683 Combermere, Ontario, Canada

From Kent :

           Hello there! My friend Dumont has long had an interest in cars that we have shared through his teen years.  About five years ago, he decided he wanted to be an auto mechanic. In a few weeks, he will graduate college and start his apprenticeship. His constant nagging about the 1972 Grand Prix which had been sadly collecting dust for 14 years in the corner of the garage rekindled my interest in the hobby. So, we have spent many long, enjoyable hours working on cars, attending car shows, cruise nights, etc.

           A few months ago, we started looking for a project vehicle. As we are both Chevy truck fans, we decided on an early '70s half-ton.

           After looking at a couple parts trucks from which we could build one good truck, we heard of and settled upon a relatively sound 1972 Chevrolet Custom 10 Long box Fleetside. A friend brought the vehicle home on a flatbed truck [ pix ] to spare us the agony and expense of a roadside breakdown during the 100 mile trip from its previous resting place (a farm shed near Peterborough, Ontario).

           Our local mechanic has completed some front steering, suspension and brake work to allow the vehicle to pass an Ontario safety inspection. We will soon begin a complete tune-up on the six cylinder engine (250 - 1 bbl carb), replace the radiator and slap on a more appealing set of chrome rims and tires.

           The truck has been painted once before and we are the third owners. It came with the original bill of sale and both the GM Canada Emission control Systems manual and New Vehicle Warranty document. We are missing an Owner's Manual, which one day we will no doubt find at a swap meet.

           This is a very basic, 3-speed on the column Chevy truck with chrome mirrors as the only option. No radio. Not even a cigarette lighter. There are currently 77,120 miles on the odometer. Originally purchased at Eric Matson Motors in Bolton, Ontario on September 21, 1972. The truck cost $2,700. Ontario provincial sales tax brought the total price to $2,835.

           If Dumont had his way, the truck would be rebuilt with a 454 V8, 4-speed manual transmission and metallic red paint. In a word, "NO! Ain't gonna happen on this truck." Maybe the next one.

           If the snow ever leaves Ontario, we will be replacing a rusted front fender and both inner fenders, rocker panels, and the rust over the windshield. We'll then give it a fresh coat of light blue paint and new upholstery. Schedule permitting, it will be ready for the summer 2008 cruise season here in Ontario.

           Here are a few extra picture of the truck:

• Dumont and the truck
• Interior
• Front grille view
• Passenger side (sans snow !)

           We have a personal web site where we will add some additional pictures as soon as we get a chance.

Kent

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