Cliff Norris' 1948 Chevy 1-Ton

"Old Willie"

11 January 2005
#990

From Cliff:

     Hello John. I'm flattered that you have considered Old Willie for such a honor. Here's what I can tell you about this truck. Old Willie is a 1948 1-ton. It's named in honor of the original owner.

     I first saw the truck in the early '80's going about our town usually with some heavy load of asphalt or gravel. I eventually come to know the owner, a businessman who developed small strip malls and he used the truck to keep up maintenance on the buildings and parking lots. He had purchased it new, and in those early days it was painted swift red and had lots of chrome.

     The 45 plus years of hard work it performed took its toll, and at some point the 216 was replaced with a early 235. Lots of welding was done on the body. When a bolt fell out, the part was just welded back on.

     In the late '90's the owner passed away. I inquired about the truck two years later and learned the family wanted to sell it "to a good home." I made an offer and became the the second owner in October 2001.

     I drive it mostly on the back roads here. Its top speed is about 45. I have been slowly accumulating parts, both new and used including a couple of parts trucks and hope to start a frame up restoration this summer.

     It's a great old truck -- tough as nails -- and after the life it's had, deserves its day in the sun.

Cliff Norris
Seagrove, NC
Deep in Pottery Country