Thanks for sharing an amazing story. The same passion of vintage trucks your grandfather passed on to you has now been passed on to another generation of stovebolters. Most of us have had someone make a lasting impression on us in our youth that reflects our interest long into our life,Pat66
...I think you're right Pat. And at the time you don't even realize the impression you're making. My grandpa had a profound influence on the course of my life. I'm sure he didn't have a clue what he had done.
Wow! That history that old truck has and the fact that you were part of it is fantastic. I love that you got your “kids” involved and I sure you planted some seeds that will grow a new crop of Stovebolt restorer’s.
Great story and great truck. Start a Project Journal in the forum and you already got one that will follow your progress. Good Luck!
Good advice Phil! And I checked out your Journal... I had a chuckle and can seriously relate to,
"I laugh today over what I, an 18 year old found appealing"That is truly an amazing story. And that burb is a real beaut! I drag my 3 children on every "adventure" I can. This week we'll be trying to rescue a 47' Chevy 6400 from a field where it's sat the last 3 decades. Pretty excited to get it 80 miles to home.
Excited for you Dan! That will be a rad adventure I'm sure. Good Luck!
Welcome to the Stovebolt. Great story, it hit home pretty hard as I remember all the wrenching with my dad back in the 50's. He couldn't afford having things fixed so we fixed them ourselves. How fortunate I was.....
......and how great it is to pass this on. Long live the Beastie and long live your legacy. Your doing it right.
So I have to confess, there have been a few times over the last year when I've found myself alone in the garage working on the Beast and I've come across a weld or something that clearly had my grandpa's mark, and wound up sitting on the running board, head in my dirty hands, overcome with emotion.
Recognizing "How fortunate" you were in being less than affluent is pure wisdom Alvin, wisdom as uncommon these days as fixing things yourself.
...So when we were going through the engine I kept eyeing the horn, trying to figure out why it looked so weird and ratty. My grandfather was a sheetmetal worker by trade, and upon closer examination I realized it was clearly his doing. Must have stopped working and he "fixed" it haha! Clearly he was all about function and wasn't concerned about form on this particular repair. It was so ugly. I searched and I found a decent looking horn on eBay, but couldn't bring myself to replace the grandpa-ed original. So I had my students paint it up (like putting lipstick on a pig) and we bolted it down. Works great.
Thanks for the warm welcome everyone! You guys are great.
