Something for everyone
 

Well, I have been lurking here for awhile now and thought it was about time to introduce myself. I'll skip all the pleasentries and get to my story about my neighbors '71 GMC. The old bird bought this truck new and kept it garaged its entire 93,099 mile life. Since we are in the Northeast and salt is used indisciminately, the ususal rust areas developed. Sometime in the late 80's old George decided to put a halt to the rot and summund up a couple of gallons of bondo and a spray can or two of the closest green paint. I gotta say, the rot seemed to stop at that point. I've watched the truck since moving here in '88.

So, fast forward to 2005. I see the old girl sits more and more now (George lives directly across the road from me) and the registration was never renewed. By and by I find myself over at Georges to free up a frozen clutch, help with a dirty carb, that sort of thing, just keeping the old truck "ready" for when George needed it take it out for something. Finally, 2007, at age 86, George admits what he has known for a few years. With no power brakes or steering and a three on the tree, this truck has become too much for him to drive and he wants it gone by winter because he "needs the room".

Now, I've always been around to help my neighbor out with the things he "outgrew". Things like, climb the ladder and go in the upstairs window 'cause he locked himself out of the house. Cut back the heavy brush. Plow his drive each snowstorm. Trench a water line from his new well to the house. Climb on the roof and tar around the chimney. You know, the kind of stuff that you like doing because you know the guy appreciates it. But over the years he would try to pay me for these things and while I begain to see how he felt bad because he couldn't reciprocate, there is no way I would take money. So, you guessed it. George gave me his old truck. Now I felt bad. Like I was taking advantage of him. I said, "George, this truck has some value. Let me pay you for it. I feel like I'm taking advantage of you". His reply was, "I'm the one taking advantage of YOU. I want you to have it".

Now my goal is to do a frame off resto with a smallblock, auto, power steering and brakes and take the old codger for a spin before its too late. I gotta finish my barn (garage) first. Its close. Some interior work left and then stock it up for the teardown. Before its all said and done, you guys are going to help me build this sucker.

So I got a truck. You guys get some pics.

Re: Something for everyone
 

Welcome Wasteaway! What a great story, truck, and barn!
Hope you get it done in time for George too.
So much information on this site your head will spin, in a good way. Anything you need to know, just ask. See you round.

Bill.

Re: Something for everyone
 

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WoW! Now that's a shop.... Nice truck too. Sounds like Ol' George is a good neighbor to have, I'm sure you'll make him proud.

Anyways, ..:welcoem:.. to the board from the corn state.

LockDoc

Re: Something for everyone
 

Nice ride and holy crap on that garage how big is that sucker:metal:. If your truck looks that good after you get done with it that will be one fine :gmc2:

Re: Something for everyone
 

Welcome from the Heart of Arkansas. Nice story. Nice barn, too.

I have a daughter and son-in-law in Warwick. My visits to R.I. have left me amazed by the Ocean State. Compared to Arkansas, it's a much more urban setting, yet there is a bit of a rural taste to be found if you know where to look.

Knowing Gas Ronda was from Providence made driving by the dealership jog a cog in my memory banks. There's another R'Dilander on here from W.Warwick, mnunn454. He has a nice '69 that he has redone. Check him out.

Re: Something for everyone
 

Great story, a good lookin' barn and truck too! I just added some rep points for ya!

Re: Something for everyone
 

Thanks ChevLoRay. Yeah, RI is pretty diverse for such a small state and you really do have to know where to look. They keep moving in on us country boys. You seem to know your way around with all the towns and even some slang. Real close. Repeat after me "Rhoh-di-lin-da" Rhode Islander. Next time your out this way look me up if there is anything I can do.

Re: Something for everyone
 

Dude! Can I move into your barn? You wont even notice me it's so big! Nice truck too! Is that a 3/4 ton? Welcome to the board from SC.

Re: Something for everyone
 

I would keep it original. 3 on the tree's are cool, no matter what anybody says. Everybody has the same 350/TH350 combo in their truck. If my truck was as complete as yours, it would be a full resto. By the way, you are one lucky sonofa@#$%^! I guess good guys win every now and then, after all.

Re: Something for everyone
 

Nice! My dad had a 71 GMC, I still miss that truck. Sounds like you & George both have good neighbors. Dont feel guilty, its called karma. Enjoy it & welcome to the boards!

Re: Something for everyone
 

Hey thanks for the welcoming committee guys. The barn is my garage to house the dailey driver you see in the background. Its been a works in progress that I started in late 2003 and its close to being complete. .........And I thought about moving out there myself. Its 32x48 (thats a 20' x 13'6" door opening) with a 16x24 workshop/bathroom/office area on a concrete floor w/radiant heat and has spray foam insuation. I've got a bit of $$ in it, but I have no regrets so far and with the time frame, its paid for.

Now I'm off on vacation with the little lady. (Damn, why do these things always happen to me!)

I'll check in for more free tidbits on old trucks when I get back.

Re: Something for everyone
 

Welcome to the board from NC.

Re: Something for everyone
 

What a GREAT story! I really like the graphics on your "honey-wagon"

Re: Something for everyone
 

That's a creative name for a septic service. WASTE AWAY.:lol: Welcome to the board fella! I'm sure you'll do a fine job on the truck.

Re: Something for everyone
 

Great story, that's a nice old truck George gave ya. I love your garage, nothing beats the look of wood.

Re: Something for everyone
 

Great looking truck and fantastic looking barn/garage! Welcome to the board from southern Mississippi.

Re: Something for everyone
 

Make 'ole George proud!!! Welcome to the board!!