So I am in the Air Force, its 1979 and my wife (also in the Air Force) is 1600 miles away. Im in Biloxi and she is in Albuquerque. Well, due to hormones and its Christmas, I decide to go and see her. I have a 1954 Chevy 1/2 ton in very questionable condition. No tools, no parts, just young and stupid.
The truck I purchased for $75 and it was in the middle of a farmers field in Texas with trees growing through the floorboards. I got it running, fixed it well enough to drive, and I am on this trip. I have two weeks to get back to Biloxi.
I am in a hurry so I am doing about 60-65 and I get about 50 miles west of San Antonio and the truck dies. I coast off an exit ramp that was handily right there, and coast into a gas station ON SUNDAY. I figured out the points were actually broke. The employee at the gas station called his friend the owner of the OTHER closed gas station across the street. He had a shoe box with points in it, and sure enough there was a set in that box just for me!
Made it all the way to ABQ and had a wonderful time. The transmission was shot after I got there, it was clear I wouldn't make it back so I flew back and left it there. I was getting a 'join spouse' assignment back there anyway after tech school.
I have loved these trucks ever since. I was 20, now I am 55. I have exchanged my love for my EX wife since then, but never got over the love of these trucks!
