It's a tough thing for me to do this introduction. My Dad passed away from cancer and left me his 1/2 ton 1946 Chevy truck. The truck was restored by the both of us as a father and son project 28 years ago. I was 12 then.
Even as I write this it's tough for me. Never in a million years did I think I would be writing about my father. Some lessons come hard.
Back in the early 80's he bought the truck for $600 from a local service station. It was a service station that was the last of it's type. I can still remember the temperature, the time of day, and the excitement in my Dads face as we drove it home. My parents were flat broke but my Dad wanted this as a reason to do something special with his son. I didn't realize that then but I do now.
We worked hard and took every last piece apart. Back then the internet wasn't invented and companies that made replacement parts were non existent. Our only option was to comb every single salvage yard in Wisconsin and attend every swap meet we could find. Boy do I miss those days.
But we accomplished it inside of just 3 years. I would come home and do homework then I would wait for him to get home so we could head out to the garage.
I had such a perfect childhood, I wouldn't change a thing. During the rest of the 80's and 90's my Dad and I attended hundreds of shows and spent a lot of time in that old girl driving around and just talking about stuff. We would visit other truck people and help them with motivation and spare parts. It was fun.
I'm 40 now and have 2 sons and a daughter. Henry is 7 and is just excited as all get-out. Oliver is 2 and Emily is 10.
My Mom handed me the keys the other day and said "When you and Dad restored this he knew one day this would be yours". "Take good care of it and have fun with your kids."
The truck has sat for 5 years. Cancer didn't allow him the time and energy to deal with it towards the end. The next thing for me is to try and get it started. Then make some new memories.
Mike
