The original unmolested stuff is amazing to me as I have never found one that somebody had not already altered, changed, cut, fixed, replaced, or was just missing. I get the truck home and have to prove to myself that 25,100 miles are all that is on this truck.
Let's do some forensic examination. So I pull the front wheels and wonder if 25,000 miles would mean original disc brakes 1971 was the first year on the truck.
Oh my goodness! Original slot rotors and ORIGINAL pads with about half or less gone. WOW!
Tires: the date code on the tires were from 1989 so the second set - after 18-19 years or so on the originals. I find the CANADA built Chevy truck still has the made in Canada light bulbs throughout the whole vehicle.
The service record provided by the seller shows the dealer serviced oil / lube the truck every few seasons only due to no miles. Someone disconnected the first year ('71) monojet carb emissions line and plugged it. Everything else including the canister and lines are intact and working from the gas tank and PCV valve.
The exhaust system is original with a needed new tailpipe and the muffler pipe needs to be replaced probably. My local exhaust guy is almost my age (63) and he says he can't remember seeing original hangers and stock system for years. He points out the original spiral body shock absorbers and confirms the factory sticker on them and says they are not leaking and solid.
I replace the exhaust system and drive to the local tire shop to put some new tires on the old worker. I pick out a normal to me profile set of 235/75/15 to fit on the factory rims. The tire shop has four or five working bays of mostly young guys who hustle and are good at their job. HOWEVER, not one of them knew how to drive a 3 speed manual (3 on the tree) and the manager asked me to pull it in and out. (Retirement Reality Check -- REALLY ?)
Radio: I find that the original GM radio from 1971 was dealer installed and the optional antenna was not selected. The dealer had one of those thin wire antennas under the dash and the reasoning was the orchard branches had routinely scratched the fenders, knocked off the mirrors every few years as well as crack the plastic grill in a few spots. The son remembers listening to Paul Harvey in the truck many times. (Search the Web if you don't know of him -- sadly.
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Bed: The bed of the truck was OBVIOUSLY used for crates of fruit as years of work patina could been seen and enjoyed!
I find one ORIGINAL headlight is not working. One turn signal bulb (Canada original) not working and the ORIGINAL wipers need replacing.
Oh my.
More yet to come. Read on.
