Back after 32 years!
 

I built this 1976 pickup 35 years ago and sold it to a relative 32 years ago. Now it is back in my possession. It has been in storage for the last 25 years.

Most of the work I did myself. Lowered it with a kit (springs, hangers etc.), dyed the interior, filled in all of holes from trim, made rear bumper and did paint and stripes. This was one of the last cars I did when I restored and painted cars for a living. Haven't done much of that kind of work since.

Photos are how it looked back when it was first built. Still looks about the same. The wheels are a bit rusty. Tires are shot. Before it was stored the 350 small block was rebuilt. It is an automatic with full power and air.

Trying to decide exactly what to do with it as far as updates. For sure it will get bigger wheels. Comments and tips are welcome. Looking forward to working on this old project.

Re: Back after 32 years!
 

Welcome! Since it looks about the same, my suggestion would be to play with the suspension some and make it drive really well

Re: Back after 32 years!
 

Brings back memories.

Re: Back after 32 years!
 

Congrats on getting your truck back, it appears it was in good care while away. I personally love the current look of your truck and can pretty much guarantee you won't see another on the road, at a show or anywhere. Hat's off to you for doing a great job 35 years ago! I'm not sure how drivable it is in it's current setup but would be great to run it as is for a while.

Re: Back after 32 years!
 

Thanks. Right along the lines of what I was thinking. I was thinking maybe the Ridetech StreetGRIP system.

Re: Back after 32 years!
 

Thanks. It is in storage again, but closer to me. I know it starts. The tail pipe is dragging on the ground. Since I can't drive on the tires it makes sense to do new wheels and tires first.

Re: Back after 32 years!
 

Nice to have her back!....if you change the chrome wheels you may want to consider something different for the front bumper, since it's the only other chrome bit on the truck....maybe work with some photo shop ideas....great looking truck.

Re: Back after 32 years!
 

Good point on the bumper. Actually it was painted white white before I got the truck back. It looks so big even in white. I may try to thin it down or build something.

Re: Back after 32 years!
 

I love the paint scheme! I always enjoyed the look of Weld Drag Stars on those years of trucks... a little old school but I never got tired of that look. Especially the wider/deeper ones if they had big and littles on them lol.
Also, I’d like to tip my hat to the quality of work you must have done if it has held up so nice after all those years!
As For the front bumper, that was a good point. I believe I have seen or I am thinking... shave it down, snug it up and do a bolt less look. Or maybe a front roll pan? Those bumpers were always robust in appearance. Could be a fun project that would really change the look of the front.
Glad you got it back and thanks for posting!

Re: Back after 32 years!
 

Thank you for the compliment on the paint work! It can be hard to be objective on your own work because you look at it so long. Here are new photos when we hauled it a few weeks ago. Only thing that got changed is the front end look. I will probably go back more to the way I had it with a stock grill.

Re: Back after 32 years!
 

That's a cool retro truck as it is. I'd look for some era correct wheels... Convo Pros, Drag Stars, Welds of some sort. That bumper is asking to be painted silver grey. I really like the job you did on the rear one. Maybe something like that. But grey before white is my vote.

Re: Back after 32 years!
 

Cant believe that's 35 year old paint! You sure knew your way around body and paint to have it last that long and look as new as it does!

Glad you got her back and looking forward to the 2nd go round!

Re: Back after 32 years!
 

:hi::welcome2: That's Cool Looking Square Body. Still Looks Good after 30 Years...

Re: Back after 32 years!
 

Convo pros are a great choice, sweet lookin wheels

Re: Back after 32 years!
 

Are those 245s on front? I have 8” fronts w 245s w a 4”drop. They look good. Love the paint, captured a screenshot for reference when I paint mine. Beautiful truck, have fun w round 2!

Re: Back after 32 years!
 

I'm seriously diggin' on that rear bumper!!
Nice truck.
-Russ

Re: Back after 32 years!
 

Honestly, I am very surprised the paint isn't all checked and cracked. (Although there is a little on the white areas). Most of my work started cracking after so many years. This one survived because I did not clear it. So the the buildup of the lacquer is less than most custom paint jobs from that era. It also helped that it was stored very well.

Re: Back after 32 years!
 

Fronts are 235/60/15
Rears 275/60/15

Re: Back after 32 years!
 

ha! thats a cool story, and welcome!