My dad and I are restoring a
53. (Chevy, 1/2 ton, 3 window cab) We have a VERY interesting backround to it.it's not just a "we bought a truck. it was fun."
No.
We spent almost a whole summer
looking for one. The first one we went to see was a
1948 bigbolt. too big of a bolt. The next one we looked at was a 1949 international[Yuk!].It was a sorry excuse for a truck. It had weeds growing in the grille. And in the bed,it looked like the owner had put sugar in it,because ants were crawling through every crack it had. Finaly dad offered $500 for it.But then,the guy said:"Shoot! I said 5000!" apparently he wanted to keep it. When we got in OUR truck,all I said was:Dagnabbit! Why DID we rent that trailer!" Dad and grandpa just laughed. Our third truck Wasn't too much different.
It was rough, but we considered it . We drove back home a little later. The next day my dad was at work,he was about to get the guy with the truck on the phone,when his phone rang. It was a guy we'd tried to talk to earlier, but he never got back with us. The truck was in GREAT shape. (The craigslist ad said:
rebuilt engine/transmission/ready to paint. Needs glass, wiring harness, grill, and bumper:$800) Dad offered $600, and they agreed on $700. Ended up getting it for $650 cuz the seller couldnt find a few of the minor parts. (air cleaner, and hood name plates, and his bill of sale.) Later, dad bought a tow bar and tow lights. Then on October 24th 2009, we rounded up gandpa and we went to get it. It really was
good. As we were
getting the tow bar on, the
owner and his friend that was helping was like:"Nope. It won't work." So HE attached it HIS way. My dad didnt like the way the tow bar was bolted on, but the senior guys on the scene said
it would hold. And when we started driving, took the first right hand turn out of the parking lot into the street, and one of the mount points came off. I said: "Dad, let's rent atrailer,ok?" He said:Let's give it one more try." one HOUR later, we started driving again.Then, about an hour later, the sun started to dip,and we found out we needed air.Dad had an electric air pump, but we had no outlet. Right when it was dark, we started running out of gas.we all went:"Oh no." Finally, a gas station came up on our side came up. I was just plain relieved. Once we were gassed and aired up,we were on the road again. The only trouble we had were angry people honking because we were going slow. Once we got home,we had dinner, and sat down
in front of it, and just sat looking at it.
Now, my dad and I work on it over the weekends. I get the truck when I'm 15 or 16, if I learn how to take care of it, fix it, and earn enough money to pay for it... Dad hasnt decided yet how much I need to pay. He says it will mean more to me if I earn it.
If you have any parts,near Frisco,Texas, tell us.
I'm Mac Landau, I'm 9 years old, and ready.
Thanks,
Macx.
