My name is Andy Crapps living in Waco, TX. This is the story of my truck named Alice, after my Grandma who just wasn't here long enough.
I should start by saying that I am a recently married, self employed painter. I own a '99 Toyota Avalon I work out of that I can fit a 6 ft step ladder or a 22 ft telescoping ladder in the front seat. To say I have been needing a truck is a severe understatement!!
My wife has a 1965 Mustang her dad got for her in high school that she and him worked on together (ain't I lucky!?). It had sat in their driveway for 10+ years until this past Thanksgiving when we decided to fix it up and use it as the getaway car at out wedding. Luckily our local Maaco is one of the best in the nation, and they did an amazing restoration on it.
Well, needless to say, after driving that baby around town and snapping necks at intersections, I decided to get an old truck and dress it up and use it as a daily driver/ rolling advertisement. My Paw Paw drove a gold '70 c/10, named Goldilocks, that I grew up in and was actually the first vehicle I learned to drive. My Grandpa loved old Chevys, and those two men were a big influence in my life. I appreciate the hard working generation that drove those trucks, and think it is great representation of the hard work that I do.
I recently did a job for older gentleman who took an interest in my business and happened to have a truck that was just what I was looking for. He's been working on it for a few years along with several others, and claimed to "have too many irons in the fire" and wanted to get this one to someone who would appreciate it, continue fixing it up, and get plenty of good use out of it.
At first sight I counted 5 different colors, but she was stripped out and ready for a paint job. He has completely overhauled the original 216 engine, brakes, rear-end, and transmission, and changed it to 12v.
My goal is to do what it takes to get it looking good and driving. I can't afford an of frame restoration right now, but my wife and I are on the Dave Ramsey plan, and once we become debt free, I can do anything I want which includes a chrome grill and a thorough restoration! But for now I am limited. I am trying to keep it as original as I can, but there is going to be several things that are original reproductions. So far in my possession I have stacked up in our spare room: new gas tank I won on ebay, all new green tint glass from Bob's Classic Auto Glass in Oregon ( it was a buy it now on ebay for $295 + $60 shipping!), new guages, mirrors, outside handles, polished stainless bedstrips, recovered and stuffed original seats, used glove box door and window cranks and handles from ebay, and several other odds and ends.
When we bead blasted her there was only a few trouble spots, the cab corner on one side (imagine that!?), the driver's side floorboard, and the front where the window goes on both sides at the bottom. There were some dents and dings and I switched out the vented hood for a more traditional one.I am still contemplating the color. I saw a Seacrest Green on this site I really liked or good ol' blue like a Royal Blue. I have a magnetic sign for the door that my brother helped me design that is red and white with a painter in blue overalls that would look great with the blue. I still have a few weeks yet to decide as the body work is being completed. Look forward to updating and sharing in the excitement!!
links to Photobucket pics
http://s745.photobucket.com/albums/xx100/mrcrapps/email:
adcrapps@yahoo.com
