Re: Playing the long game!
 

Great looking truck! You'll get her, most older gents stand firm on their word. But like 68bowtie says, you might want to meet the family someday.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

A little update.

I've seen Tom a few times this summer. The first time we discussed the price, I had just sold one of my project cars, a 29' chev 2dr coach in order to secure the funds for this truck. Tom was quite disappointed that I sold the car, saying that he didn't really care about the sale price he just wanted his truck to go to someone who deserves it. I told him you cant keep them all and that his truck was a dream truck of mine whereas the car would've just been cool.

He came to check out the shop a few days later, after seeing the shortbox project, which incidentally I have owned for 24 years. he basically told me that price wasn't an issue for him as he's 80yrs old and doesn't need the money and that his truck is coming to my shop.

now, I just talked to him a few days ago, the truck needs a few minor things, nothing crazy just some wiper issues and regular maintenance type stuff. He doesn't want to pay someone to fix those items as he would have to charge me for the increase. So, I'm picking the truck up in a few weeks!!!!!!!!!!! I'm totally stoked!! I should be able to drive it for awhile before the snow flies.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

Im in for this .

Re: Playing the long game!
 

I'm in! Took me 20 years to get Old Yeller. Hope you don't have to wait that long....

Re: Playing the long game!
 

Good persistence. Nice story. Nice Alberta truck.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

Kind of sound like my story. I saw this 72 SB C10 down the street from my father in laws house and come to find out my father in law knows the owner. We got to chatting and became friends. 7 years + ago I ask him to sell me the truck and he said he wanted to keep it. I persisted on asking him every few months about selling me the truck. Finally about 4 years ago he said OK (mans word) I will sell you the truck when I am ready to let it go. Well that day came just about 2 months ago. Boy I can tell you I was a happy camper. I find myself working on it daily. Not that it needs much but I have my plans for it to make it my own. Anyways I hope you get your truck soon. Mine only took me 4 years to get it. :)

Mike

Re: Playing the long game!
 

Its just mere weeks away!

Respect pays off.

I'll post more pics as soon as I get her.

Great story! And a heck of a nice truck.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

The wait is over. I picked her up today. It was insurance renewal time and Tom didn't feel like paying for it to sit over the winter. It was pretty hard for him to let it go, i really felt for him. told him I was in no rush, but he decided it was time.

I decided to have a little fun when I picked her up. So, I used my Blazer. I wouldn't go through the mountains but since it was just a few km's away, why not?

Re: Playing the long game!
 

Congrats Jason.. That is great find and it goes to show with some respect and patience things sometimes go your way. PLEASE DONT LOWER IT !!!!!!!

Re: Playing the long game!
 

I would cut the frame and lower it.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

Funny you should say that.Tom asked me today what my plans for the truck are. I was very honest with him about it. Power steering, power/disc brakes are essential. She needs to be safe to haul the kids around in. He specifically asked if I was gonna lower it, I told him yes, but only a bit, maybe a 3/5 or something like that. Im really not sure yet. No matter what I do it'll be non-destructive to the truck itself.

He basically said that he was excited to see what I do, since he's been to my shop and can tell I love these trucks. He was offered significantly more money than what he was asking of me, but decided that she was safer in my hands. Pretty cool guy.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

I already have one of those.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

Very nice truck, so original and basically unmolested--the best way to find them. I'm with you on the power steering and brake conversions, but I'd keep it stock height, just because it survived so long as it left the factory...

But hey! It's your truck, and great work on how you got it.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

Awesome story. I'd offer to take him for a ride in it once every couple months. Gives you a reason to talk shop and him to see the kid he sold you. Lol. After all at 80 who knows how much longer he will be around. I wish my great uncle was still here. He had some amazing stories about WWII..

Re: Playing the long game!
 

Everything I do to to this truck will be done with respect to where it came from. I completely value and appreciate its history. I plan on keeping several of the personal touches done to the truck over the years intact, good ones and bad ones, all the while making it my own as well.

Here's a pic of the plates she was born with. Eventually I may put them on the truck.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

What trkenvy said - hope you plan to take it by to see tom every so often because the most important thing in this whole deal is the friendship with tom. While trucks like this are rare, previous owners like tom are even fewer and farther between. Truck will be here for the rest of your life, but unfortunately tom won't, so make the most of it now and the friendship and the truck will be even more special than they are today. Great story. Very very cool truck Jason, congrats.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

Congratulations on this find and for the friendship you've found too. Totally awesome. ....

Re: Playing the long game!
 

Congrats, May this truck always have great memories.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

The comments on the value of the friendship are so right-on. I wish I had that opportunity myself, but the previous owner of my truck passed away, and I could only deal with his daughter, who did not have the same history with the truck.

Keep up the connection, it will be rewarding for both you and Tom.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

What an awesome story. I read about it last year and wondered what would ever come out of the deal. I'm so happy you got it and made a friend in the process.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

Don't worry fellas, Ive already lined up some time to help him with some yard work in the spring. He's not just a guy a bought a truck from, he's become a friend.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

Jason,
That's a cool story and nice looking truck. It's in good hands! They are hard to find in that shape but I know you'll take good care of it!

Re: Playing the long game!
 

So far I've put about 1000 miles on the truck. The entire family loves the truck. Even used it for our annual Xmas pictures.

Definitely gonna require some upgrades. Disc brakes, power steering and some engine upgrades.

I found some receipts in the big file that Tom gave me, the most important being an engine rebuild receipt from 1987, 30,000 miles ago. The basic plan is to put an old set of double bump heads that I have sitting on the shelf, rebuilt years ago and just waiting for the right truck, ditch the 2 barrel for a four, aluminum intake, lose the points for a more reliable HEI setup and convert the alternator to an internal unit.

As you can see from the pic, I have added a set of GM transport wheels, using the Impala caps that Tom gave me with the truck. I know some of you won't like this choice but I really like it. I have also dropped the truck 3/5 but plan on another 2" all the way around. Nothing invasive, just swapping hard parts around.

As far as the body, she's as solid as she appears to be. I'm gonna remove all the trim and give it a real good polish, repaint the bumpers white and restore the mirrors as well.

And then, i'm going to drive the wheels off of it, using like it should be!!!! Its only 500 or so miles from rolling over.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

Beautiful Pickup. I was with Already Gone with the "please don't lower it," but it does look good I must admit.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

Great story , if you dont mind , where did you get the rims and tires , and what size - brand are they ?