Well Shep, I just looked thru your 120 page album and I think you got what I would call a
restoration dream boat. It looks to be all there and mostly original and dang near rust free
other than some surface rust. I didn’t see any rusted thru spots or badly dinged up sheet
metal. The hood looks to fit real nice, the running boards , bed skirts, bed itself, fenders
all look like their in good shape. Agree with the comment on the glove box, taint many
around with the original panel board still in good shape, might be a repro though because
I see evidence of some previous restoration work. Looks like a restoration was started and
then it got shelved where it sat in the barn for a decade or more. That’s why I would
caution you against starting out with a total off frame restoration, most never get finished,
it’s a BIG undertaking in time and money. All in all I think you got a real good one, five
windows also. Unless you are well into restoration work and are aware of the amount of
work in front of you, I wouldn’t start with a off-frame project.
A good pressure wash like you mentioned would be in order then get the engine and drive
line cleaned up and in good functioning order. Next the suspension and brakes after
which I would drive it for a while. Once you have her on the road then you can start on
some cosmetics starting with cleaning up the interior one project at a time while you’re
still driving it around. Gauges, steering wheel, floor board clean up with a new mat and
peddle pads, get the windows sealed up and working smooth, door latches and hinges
correct, some new door panels and maybe some rattle can paint till you get to the point
when you do really want to pull the cab for a complete restoration. I see you have the
original heater and it to looks to be in nice shape.
All in all, from the pictures in it’s present condition I’d give it about a 3 on the 1-6 scale
but it could be a 4 with very little work and a 6 in a few years. A lot depends on how much
time and money you have to throw at it.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL
Last edited by Denny Graham; 11/06/2011 1:03 PM.
