Thanks for all the info guys... anyone else reading with more views and opinions please keep them coming.
I hear you, I do... however.
As to restoring it... that would be great in an ideal world, I agree. However as I stated the original engine and rear are long gone as are the seats. I guess I could replace those with something similar, but this is to be my only vehicle. One which I intend to enjoy driving daily and everyone around me will get to enjoy it as well. Its not going to be chopped, its not going to get an outrageous engine or get huge tires to become the next mini gravedigger... its going to be my truck. Whether it has a load of salvaged wood in the back going to my art studio, a picnic at the beach or my hauling my 1930's fortune telling booth to the next circus gig... its going to be loved and used as any non perfect old truck can be, but it needs to be highly functioning.
I can't be hauling a vintage 22 foot trailer across the country on todays highways with no power steering, one windshield wiper, old brakes etc. I think its a tradeoff for sure. I always prefer my vintage and antiques things to be fully original whenever possible. I am a huge collector of vintage clothing, when I say collector I also mean 'wearer' things that don't fit me are not part of the collection. It is something that I wear for any occasion.
I grew up with my dad owning (and using) his 1956 Chris Craft cabin cruiser at the Jersey shore... she wasn't all original under the decks but those memories are lovely ones. She served the family and the Coast Guard Reserve through the 60's through 2008 when he died. Now someone else is restoring her back to her original glory. While this is a happy thought for me, I am reminded of slow moving family trips into brackish waters, towing vessels in distress wether on patrol or not, and realize sadly that her days of mackerel fishing on the Atlantic are long gone.
