I went to the swap this past weekend looking for a few parts for my ’53 project. As I stopped at one booth I saw “Betsy” parked behind it loaded with goods for sale. When I asked about it the guy said it belongs to a friend and that he is looking to get rid of it and that he’d be back at the booth later. It only took a quick look over her and I knew I had to buy/have her. 1966 ¾ ton and almost everything original; 290 Cu In with a 2 speed auto trans and just a few bolt on upgrades. The body was good with just a few small dents but the paint was shot. The interior was only fair, but the seat had no tears in what looks like the original vinyl. The floors are good, but the vinyl pad is pretty worn out. I hovered in the area until the owner came back. By then I knew I was buying it. His friend had said he was looking for $2,000 but would take less. When the owner came he started it and that was it. I handed him the deposit. I didn’t even haggle on the price. Then came the hard part – the call to my wife to tell her that I’ve added another vehicle to the “fleet”. She didn’t believe me.
Monday when we (my son and I) went to pick it up the owner showed me a list of names and phone numbers of people that wanted to be called if I backed out of the deal. There had to be 20 names on his list.
With the ’53 project eating up most of my free time, I decided that I’d farm out the body work and exterior paint. So she went right to the paint shop. My wife still hasn’t seen the truck and still isn’t convinced that it all isn’t a joke. She says that’s it too much of a coincidence that I am suppose to pick it up and bring it home on April 1st.
To be continued………….
http://s783.photobucket.com/albums/...%20Pickup%20Project/?albumview=slideshowJohn
