Oh yeah ... There is a lot to Ole Charlie's story.
One thing I may have left out was one of the last things I remember Charlie (the man, not the truck) saying to Mark (his son) and I:
"Don't restore this truck -- you'll ruin it!"
He was referring to it's aesthetic pleasantness as a well-preserved time capsule -- with all the character, nuance and wonder that goes with a well-preserved original truck. I've tried to stay true to that and only do that which was necessary to preserve it.
Yes, I have altered the rear axle, switched the 216 for a 261, installed seat belts and I am now in the process of adding turn signals ... But none of these things alter its original ... essence. It still "feels" old and and slightly worn/"broken in." Any of the changes I've made can be easily returned to their original configuration -- even the original 216. But the changes made help the truck exist in the 21st Century as more than a mere trailer queen.
Yes, the truck now cruises easily at 65 MPH and can dash to 70-plus.... But it's not trivial and the driver had better know how to handle it!
Here's a few more pics of Ole Charlie struttin' his stuff over the past few years.
~ John
A kid raised on Hotwheels, Matchbox and Tonka cannot be reasonably expected to own only one vehicle as an adult.
1949 Chevrolet 3804 In the Legacy Gallery | In the Gallery Forum 1973 IH 1310 Dump 1963 Kaiser M38A1 2001 International/AmTran RE3000 "Skoolie" 2014 Ford E-350 4x4 (Quigley)
