Playing the long game!
 

So, about 6-7 years ago I saw a very nice survivor 68' long box. It was sitting the parking lot at the local Home Depot. I decided to sit around and wait for the owner.

The owner turned out to be a mid 70's fella named Tom who's father bought the truck brand new. Turns out he only uses the truck during August and saves all his home/yard work for then. After drooling all over it for awhile and him doing the same over my Blazer, which was kinda cool since it seems like the older guys don't really appreciate my style. I told him that when he was done with the truck and if none of his family wanted it, I would be honoured to buy it from him.

Over the years I have kept in contact with Tom, dropping by once or twice a year to say hi and show him what I've been doing with my trucks. He called me over the other night and we made a deal. The deal is conditional on him keeping the truck for one more summer. And then it's mine!

I know it sounds like I'm counting my chickens before they hatch but he's pretty adamant about me owning the truck and he has given me no reason to doubt his word.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

Trucks in this condition are almost non existent in my area of the world. It's by no means perfect and has a few dings and dings but is overall an amazing truck.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

The original engine was replaced in 1970 due to a long forgotten problem. It was replaced by the local GM dealer.

I already have a power disc brake setup as well as a power steering setup for it.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

i don't know if i would have taken it, the mirror looks a little floppy. jk! awesome truck! nice work i hope you seal the deal next year so we can drool over more pics... ;)

Re: Playing the long game!
 

The seat was recovered about 15-20 years ago. He can't remember exactly when. Other then that the interior is pretty much all original.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

Wishing you the best!!!:metal:

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I would do absolutely nothing to that truck. Clean it up, keep it tuned and drive it. Beautiful time capsule.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

It's nice to know there is honest people out there. He knows you'll do it good.
I hope he didn't tell ya it's a 68 cause his mind might be slipping.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

My bad, it's obviously a 67' and I knew that. Too late to change the typo though.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

It happens.

Nice truck though hope it works out for ya.its gonna be a long wait.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

I'm pretty sure it will, Tom really feels like an honest fella. The simple fact that he called me to come by speaks volumes.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

That's sorta the plan. I'll preserve the paint and upgrade the required safety items. I'll probably lower it a few inches, but nothing invasive. No cutting. It'll all be reversible.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

That's going to be sweet Jason! :metal:

Re: Playing the long game!
 

Wow! Merry Christmas, indeed!....even if you have to wait almost a year.

Congrats!

Re: Playing the long game!
 

Thats an incredible find for Canada! Good job!

Re: Playing the long game!
 

Oh, so its not numbers matching....eh.

Kidding. Great truck

Re: Playing the long game!
 

It'll be a great truck Jason. I'm sure will follow through and let you have it in September. You really going to lower it ?

Re: Playing the long game!
 

Haha, I figured you would chime in eventually. I will lower it but nothing invasive or extreme like my other trucks. Probably 3/5. And I will keep all the old parts just in case. In no way do I plan on over modifying the truck. Just make it a nice solid driver. I really miss having a 67-72 daily driver.
Once again, thanks for selling me the NAPA truck!

Re: Playing the long game!
 

Your very welcome on the NAPA Truck. I saw a very stock 68 long box at acar show afew years ago and the owner had lowerdit atouch using a 2 1/2 dropped spindle and a 4 inch drop spring and had 235/75 15 tires on 15 x 7 rallies and it looked real good to me, but then I'm an old guy !!!

Re: Playing the long game!
 

That's basically what im gonna aim for.

And there ain't nothing wrong with what others like or expressing their opinions on the matter. That's what makes this hobby awesome, it would suck if everyone built the same damn truck all the time.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

Personally I've been back and forth on lowering my truck for the past 10 years.

We'll have to get together next time I'm in Edmonton or if you come to God's Country one Province East of you !!!

Re: Playing the long game!
 

Great looking truck, and a great plan for it too, best of luck!

Re: Playing the long game!
 

Hang in there, hopefully the time will go back quickly. BTW it looks very nice...:chevy:

Re: Playing the long game!
 

Very cool. Perseverance paid off. Nice truck.

Re: Playing the long game!
 

make sure his family knows about your arrangements, cause you never know what could happen between now and then!

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.