69 Custom 30 wrecker restoration

[bobs409]

So once the upright part had paint, it was time to wet-sand and buff it. Better to do this now rather than on the truck. Once it passed my quality control check it was time to install it. I work alone and prefer it that way so sometimes I have to get creative. To get this thing back on, I used my engine crane just as I did to install the box. This upright piece is VERY heavy but the crane handled it well. I just raised it up and backed the truck under it. The arm didn’t extend far enough so I just got it to sit on top of the wheel wells (well padded so not to damage anything) to start and just slowly walked it forward into place. Some brand new fine thread grade 8 bolts completed this job. (pics #1 & 2)

Now it was time for a bit of fun! I was finally able to install those home made stickers I created way back in the beginning. I also got to install the revolving beacon, chrome flood lamps and brake lights. Looks pretty good, huh? I spent a great deal of time with the wiring for all of these using color coded wires of the correct gauge and carefully installed into flexible plastic loom. I love electrical work so taking the extra time to do it right comes naturally to me. (pic #3)

I’ve been sticking fairly faithful to staying original but just couldn’t resist adding brake lights on the top. This truck didn’t have them but it should have. These are brake and turn signals only, there is no parking bulb in these. They are red on the back and amber on the front. I also re-installed the 3 red marker lights in the middle. This is the original light fixture that I restored and installed back in the original location.

One of the parts that I’ve been dreading and knew would get put off until the very last minute is the boom due to all the ins and outs and hard to reach crevices. This piece had a lot of rust and as you can see, isn’t a very pleasurable piece to work on! It took about a full week to prep it for paint. The part that had paint left had A LOT of paint! It seems someone used a thick high build primer under that last paint job. I removed ALL of it down to bare metal but it was not an easy task due to the complex shape. For most of it, I had to resort to scraping it off with a razor blade locked into a vise-grip pliers as no sanding device really fit in. Whatever it takes I guess! Here it is all done with a couple coats of paint -(pic #4)

[bobs409]

Next job was to dismantle, clean and repaint the winch assembly. (pic #1, 2 & 3)
A day was spent installing the winch, boom and other related parts. The following day I spent winding the cable back onto the winch and installing the last of the boom parts. I let the truck do the work for that job. I started it up, set the manual idle control to raise the rpms and pushed the lever. Success! The winch worked like a charm. Some cinder blocks attached to the back of the cable helped keep it tight so it wound on properly. The truck “rescued” those cinder blocks with ease. LOL.

Once that was all back together, it was time for a shot of the “business end” of this truck. (pic #4 & 5)

[bobs409]

I was finally at the point where I could photograph it and apply for the insurance. The day after applying online and submitting some photos, the truck was accepted! I just went with 10K of coverage which only costs me $63 dollars per year. What would we do without classic/antique insurance? It’s a blessing for those of us with multiple cars.

So a week ago, I submitted for the antique plate and am waiting to hear back on that. If they accept it, I’ll open my mailbox one day soon to find my new plate! (fingers crossed)

Since that time, I’ve been taking care of the last things on my list like installing the restored tool box that will hold the new hooks/chains, refinished the inner front fender wells and installing them, installing the PTO cable, door glass sweeps, bowtie emblem on hood, checking over all the bolts underneath and making sure everything is working and ready to go for the big day.

Here are some shots of it as it is now. Just one thing missing and that’s the license plate!

[bobs409]

And just a few more pics:

[bobs409]

Well, it was a very long wait on that license plate! Are you ready for some drama? Here’s a typical day in my life; apply for the license plate at a local notary, 4 days later the post office sends the envelope that they sent to the DMV back to me for postage due! Can you believe it, they forgot to put a stamp on the envelope!

Is that bad enough? Nope. Another week goes by after I send it back out and I get the envelope back from the DMV this time. Turns out the notary didn’t include a form needed so they couldn’t process my application! So… I fill that out and put another stamp on and send it back.

Finally, about 4 days later, I get my plate. Success! I should be happy but sure enough, I get the plate on a day it’s raining and horrible outside. DOH!

So I’ve got the wrecker, the insurance, the plate and now I sit here waiting for some dry weather so I can finally drive this thing. Sometimes you just can’t win!

Road report to come, sometime soon I hope…

[87Jimmy4JP]

utterly amazing build, just read through the whole thing.....wow!....

very inspiring to say the least.

JP

[no moa]

(speechless)

[marvgarr68]

Better then new amazing job you did if you dont mind me asking who did you get insurance from?

[RCbowtie69]

Sweet!!!!!!Looks like it roll off of the assembly line,very nice.Keep on Truckin''

[Katrina/10]

Sure looks nice, what insurance company did you use?

[Ol Blue K20]

Absolutly gorgeous but 1 thing missing is a period correct door signs to finish it off. But I love it as is....

[mcbassin]

This truck is awesome.

[bobs409]

Thanks guys!

I have it insured with Hagerty. This is the fifth one I have on with them now.

So, I got to take it on it's maiden voyage yesterday when the sun broke out. A few small quirks to work out but I put 50 miles on it and didn't have to call a tow truck to get home! (wouldn't that be the ultimate embarrasment?)

It sure rides like a commercial truck. It has the big truck bounce that reminds me of the large box truck I rented to bring my car lift home. (but cool anyway!) I love the whine going through the gears too!

Runs and drives really good. I did get a few odd looks though. LOL

A few small adjustments to make and maybe I'll go visiting the place I got it and the original owner next week.

[Katrina/10]

Originally Posted by bobs409

Thanks guys!

I have it insured with Hagerty. This is the fifth one I have on with them now.

So, I got to take it on it's maiden voyage yesterday when the sun broke out. A few small quirks to work out but I put 50 miles on it and didn't have to call a tow truck to get home! (wouldn't that be the ultimate embarrasment?)

It sure rides like a commercial truck. It has the big truck bounce that reminds me of the large box truck I rented to bring my car lift home. (but cool anyway!) I love the whine going through the gears too!

Runs and drives really good. I did get a few odd looks though. LOL

A few small adjustments to make and maybe I'll go visiting the place I got it and the original owner next week.

Thanks, I need to get a policy for my truck, I will check with them.

Glad you enjoyed your ride!

[Zane M]

Just meandered over from the '73-'887 side and read through your build.

Incredible truck. I applaud your skill, determination, and dedication to getting it done, and getting it done right.

[dhaymaker]

Originally Posted by Zane M

Just meandered over from the '73-'887 side and read through your build.

Incredible truck. I applaud your skill, determination, and dedication to getting it done, and getting it done right.

I agree with Zane M! This is an example of a job well executed and the end result is stunning. Thanks for "taking us along on this ride"!!

[bobs409]

Well, I finally made it to visit the original owner with the tow truck today. I pulled it right up to the front door and it sure looked GREAT! (if I do say so myself!)

Got to meet Vic and his brother. I didn't know he had a brother but had a great conversation with him especially. He told me he was the one that mostly operated the truck back in the day. We talked at least 1/2 hour out in the cold looking the truck over and he was blown away at how nice it looked.

He complimented me on my paint job especially and must have done so at least 20 times. (ok, maybe 10 or so) That's a great compliment coming from a body shop guy!

He told me he heard someone bought it and was restoring it which caught me off guard. I told him I wasn't sure if they would appreciate me bringing it back and didn't know what to expect but he said he was glad I did.

It was an interesting meeting. Turns out that after going out of business and closing up shop 3 years ago, they re-opened about a year later so they had something to do instead of just sitting around the house.

They don't do any major work anymore, just brakes and towing, etc. Vic is in his 80's and the brother looks a few years younger.

Told me it was a really great truck in it's day and it worked very hard. Said they hauled/towed some heavy trucks with it and it always ran great. He said that's back when they only had this truck and before they bought the larger wrecker & flat bed they had. He also mentioned it always liked it's gas and I said it still does! lol

He looked it over really good and asked many question. He seems to think the wheels were originally glossier than I have them so I will have to look into that. I used a semi gloss black. I told him I tried to make the truck look like it would have when it was new and he said that it did. I was glad to hear that because I never saw it in it's younger days.

So before I left, I handed him an 8 X 10 collage print for their shop that I had made up from 4 pics of the truck showing front, back, engine and interior.

I bet we'll be the talk of the shop for a few days at least. LOL

This is the first time I ever contacted a previous owner of any of my cars. Wasn't sure if I was going to get shot, chased or welcomed. Glad things turned out so well...

[no moa]

Amazing story, amazing truck!

[87Jimmy4JP]

The truck is amazing...glad you decided to restore it....

I just finished a project...well almost finished....and over time I have taken it to all the places who helped me make it happen in one way or another. The guys at our local Mavis were the most impressed and I made sure to thank them for helping out...

I think it makes someones day when you thank them for helping, or just to let them know you appreciate the good deal you got when they sold it to you, ect..... If I get around to it, Ive gotta take the project over to the foreign car place I got the tail light housings from ...they were the only place within 100 miles and the prices were still great....I was under a time crunch too and they really came through for me.

Keep up the great work..any new projects looming?

JP

[Tachout]

That is so amazing. I would love to find an old big block wrecker. The 67 Pickup that have now in time will become something to haul a fully enclosed trailer that will have my race car in it. My daughter races a Jr. Dragster, and her younger brother will be in one in two years. Had thoughts of maybe taking my Longbox off, and turning mine into a flatbed that could haul all of our Jr. Dragster,and the ATV and equipment. Would look very cool going down the road for sure. Someday I hope to do a restoration project like yours.

[bobs409]

Originally Posted by 87Jimmy4JP

Keep up the great work..any new projects looming?
JP

Thanks everyone. Was a long process but driving it around now makes it all worth while.

I'm back on my 63 Impala restoration now. This is a project that keeps getting set aside for various reasons but this time, I'm DETERMINED to get it done!!!

[bobs409]

I contacted the grandson of the Wreck-Master company owner as per contact info given to me by dfwright of this forum and learned alot about these wrecker bodies. (big thank you to dfwright for doing that!)

I sent an email and asked things like what my model (410) sold for, what options were available, if they went out and installed these or did the trucks always come to them, info on literature and lighting. Another thing that always puzzled me was the fact that my truck has a big metal block on the back instead of rubber slings.

First, I was told my truck seems to have the larger (810) series commercial tow bar. (that's the big metal block as I was calling it) lol

The 410 model came with rubber slings for passenger cars but for some reason, mine got the one for large trucks. ??? I can't understand why a small body shop would want that and if I ever get back to Vic's, it will be one of the first questions I'll have for them. Vic's brother did mention towing some big heavy trucks so maybe this little tow truck did haul a few rigs. That would have been a sight to see.

I was told they did have manuals and brochures with these and they were printed on a printing press in their own basement! He wasn't able to help me obtain any old copies however, all long gone now.

The 410 model I have sold for around $3,000 with very few options. Was told basically only side tool doors and forward doors to fit stabalizer jacks which very few were sold.

You could get the whole package, lights, matching paint, striping, lettering, even two way radio equipment if you needed it, all done at their factory if you wanted or some went out the door plain with only temporary tail lights so the owner or dealer could finish them.

I was also told that they either did them in their factory where the truck was brought to them or they would be delivered to dealers and done there. Some were actually fully completed tow trucks that the dealer sold on their lot! I never knew that one. Not sure how mine came to be but that's another question I'll have ready to go.

The Wreck-Master company was sold a few times since the grandfather got out of the business and later it folded up. The factory is long gone now.

The grandson told me he worked there assembling the rubber slings at age 8! How cool is that? He opted not to take over the business at around age 25.


So after 3 years of searching for info on the Wreck-Master unit and hitting dead ends, I finally have some answers to many of my questions.

Just think, buy a cab/chassis in 1969 for around $3,000 and add a Wreck-Master body for another $3,000 and you have yourself a brand new tow truck for 6K! Try doing that today.

[dfwright]

I am so glad you were able to get ahold of the grandson, that is absolutely cool!

[mcbassin]

Awesome story and your truck turned out great!

[Sicklajoie]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Awesome story and your truck turned out great!

x2
You did an awesome job!