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This picture has more of a truck oriented story.


The little girl, about 3 years old when we first met, across the road from us is turning into a 24 year old bride. Two days before the wedding she sends me a text asking if she and her guy can use my ’52 GMC ¾ ton flatbed for their “getaway car”. I told her I would be honored

Early the next morning I gave it a good washing and cleaned up the inside. That afternoon my wife followed me to the wedding venue, about 5 miles north of town. I met up with the bride’s father to give him the key (groom was busy) and a quick lesson in stomp starters.

Started the engine once. The second time I stomped the starter the engine started, but the was a really bad noise coming from under the hood. Turned off the key and tried again. Same result. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!!

The 74 year old “starting motor control return spring” picked today to break, so the starter stayed engaged when I took my foot off of the stomper. Engine was running and the still engaged starter motor was spinning a lot faster than it was designed for.

I went home and looked through my meager collection of springs. There were 3 that might do, but none real close. Pondered that for a minute and then the answer came to me. ‘Bolter GiantMountainClimber (Kenneth Crenwelge) has a slew of old GMC trucks sitting at his business. His place was between me and the wedding venue. Kenneth answered on the first ring and after my desperate explanation said he’d meet me there shortly. We liberated a spring from one of his trucks and I was on my way. Big thanks again Kenneth!

Meanwhile, back at the truck…. While changing the spring I could hear the radio playing. What? I had pulled the key from the ignition switch and given it to the bride’s father when the spring failed 3+ hours before. Finished installing the spring. Got into the truck and realized I had removed the key with the ignition switch on. Oh well. Stuck my spare key in and stomped the starter. Nothing! Nada! Kaput!

Truck had been converted to 12 volts when I bought it in 2013. My voltmeter (I have an aftermarket instrument panel) read less than 8 volts, the lowest mark on the scale. Tried again with the same results. My world had just become a $#!+ sandwich and I was the bottom slice of bread.

Turned off the key and drug the jumper cables from under the seat. Nudged my wife’s Camry near the truck and attached the jumpers. Cranked up the Camry and jammed a water bottle beside the gas pedal to hold the throttle at about 2300 RPM. Let it charge for 15 minutes. Hit the stomper and the engine reluctantly came to life. Pulled the jumpers off and let the truck run at high idle for 10 minutes. Turned off the truck. Turned the key back on. NO VOLTS!

The 2 year old battery had died when the ignition was left on for a couple of hours. I called my local O’Reilly’s where I bought the battery. Explained what happened. The counterman asked for my phone number and looked up the battery. He said he had one in stock and that mine was still under warrantee. “Bring it in and I’ll replace it”.

Walked into Oreilly’s 15 minutes later. My new battery was sitting on the counter. The guy gave me a receipt with a zero balance and 15 minutes later I was installing the battery.
Started right up!

Truck performed well as the "getaway car".