"We Are Truck People" ...
That being said as I sit here with my laptop and coffee looking out across the yard, there are no less than six or seven trucks here at any given time. For the most part, they are GM products. There are a few off makes: International, F@&d and until recently a 1961 Peterbilt. Yep, we are Truck People.
The most recent addition to the "fleet" is a 1960 Chevrolet C10, Shortbed Stepside. The truck has been in my wife's family since new and had spent its entire life on a farm in Walterboro SC. The truck is known to me as "Mrs. T," that is for lack of a better name at the moment. Linda (my wife) hasn't named the truck as yet. I told her that a name wasn't important but if it were to have one, it would present itself before long. I believe that these old trucks take on a personality of their own. A name will come.
The truck was purchased new by Linda's great Uncle. It was as base a model as you could get: 235, 3 speed, manual brakes, manual steering, no heater and no radio. The truck was worked daily on the family farm, hauling materials, feed and hog's. When her great Uncle passed in 1990, the truck stayed there on the farm, parked under an equipment shed with a vintage Allis-Chalmers and antique Oliver tractor to keep it company. It was pretty much forgotten by the family.
The first time I saw the truck was several years ago while visiting (more like working) the farm. The truck was backed under the pole barn with the cab front sticking out. It had three flat tires and was filled with trash.
I talked with the the family about the future of the truck. It had been passed to Linda's Uncle James (Snuffy) as he was the next in line. There seemed to be no plan for the truck other than to leave it on the farm. So as things go, I would see the truck while at the farm and watch as it continued to go down hill. The roof had developed holes in the upper corners and water was getting in. I did wrap a tarp over it but that was all I could do at the time.
A few more years passed. The farm was sold and the truck was moved to Uncle James' house (local). It now sat in the driveway, uncovered, still leaking water. I opted to take the truck home and at least repair the roof. I was told that he would take care of it. He didn't.
In 2022 Uncle James passed away and the truck was then passed to his youngest son, Josh. Josh had the best of intentions but no time. So the truck still sat in the driveway.
The family decided to sell James' estate. Josh was willing to let the truck go as well. I told Linda that it should stay in her family if possible. One of Linda's cousins was interested in the truck as well. He wanted to slam it down on air bags and do the LS swap. I asked Josh to come to the house and discuss the truck's future. I just didn't want to see this piece of their family's history hacked up and slammed down. Josh agreed. Linda and Josh made a deal and the truck again traded hands -- still in the Family though.
Time and the elements had not been kind to "Mrs. T' as I was now calling it (Linda would just shake her head every time I said it). We went to bring it home and the tires were so rotten they wouldn't even inflate. The brakes were frozen and it was still filled with trash. A couple hours later and some serious winching, it was on the trailer and headed home -- at long last.
Now the work would begin.
