Blake,
My story is very similar. The only difference was mine was purchased used in 1956 for $500 by my grandfather. My dad learned how to drive in it. They threw a rod in the ole babbit 216 in 1965. It then sat in the tree belt behind the house until 1986 when I asked for and received it as a christmas present. Mine was also a 1952, Mariner Blue, 216, 3 speed. Looking at your floor board under the heater looked exactly like mine. Not to mention my bed is shot, I think from them throwing rocks in it from the field. My dad has stories of driving the truck home with the bumper literaly draging on the ground from being overloaded with rocks.
You have a great story and thanks for sharing it with us. Please keep us posted on your progress.
