I lost a truck on Sunday

[68C15]

Now I am down to just my project truck. I used to have a 68 GMC C15 and a 67 Chevy stepside.

Back in 1985 I tried to buy the GMC from my neighbor. I was 15 and had money saved from doing snow removal the winter prior. The old guy bought it new from a farm implement dealer. Rankin Implement in Draper SD to be exact. It was May 23, 1968 and the thing was just as basic as you could imagine. Straight 6, 4 speed with granny low, leaf springs out back, and manual drum brakes.

He told me it wasn't for sale but if I was serious, he would give me first chance when the time comes. Fast forward to October 2001. I just moved back to SD from northern IL and was an hour away from my home town. The following weekend I took a ride "back home". Sure enough, the old guy still had it and was sitting in his back yard. He hadn't drove it in 4 years due to health but every month he would let it run for 10 minutes. He asked why I wanted it, it's rusty and old. "Just what I want. a project to spend time with my oldest boy". He got up from his power lift recliner and with shaking arms took hold of his walker. We went outside and haggled a bit while the women stayed inside. What can I say, the old guy had a way of doing business. After a few minutes we agreed on a price and I promptly paid him. Then after the paper work was done he mentioned how a friend of mine tried to buy it and offered 3 times my price but a promise is a promise.



I know it was bought on that date from the protect-a-plate in the warranty book.
Fun fact; it came with a 3 year/50,000 mile powertrain warranty.

As paul Harvey would say, "and now, the rest of the story"

Over the years it has gone through many changes. I pulled the 250 after the cam went flat. My wife bought me a 350 for Christmas and I rebuilt it. The old Muncie SM425 got moth-balled in favor of a TH350 which I also rebuilt. The leaf suspension was pulled when I found a 71 box trailer with trailing arm suspension. The rear coils were swapped out for a set of bags with on board compressor. Front suspension was upgraded with underpinnings donated by a 76 C10 heavy half. The brake booster and master cylinder came from a 74 heavy half. I modified the brake pedal to mate the booster and the pedal to the factory pedal hanger while getting rid of the clutch pedal. The carburetor that came with the 79G20 engine I recalibrated to 72 specs and I ended up having good street manners with an automatic choke. Old style heads were swapped out for a set of injection heads bumpimg compression and air flow up a bit. The list goes on and on but you get the idea.

Body work has always been my weak point so I avoided it as much as possible. Over the years cancer took it's toll. The only original part of the body left is the cab. Everything else has been replaced, albeit different colors.

Back in the time machine again we go to 2007. I was driving my son to school and he asked what I had for future plans with the truck. He asked if he could buy it when he gets a job. I said "sure, I'll give you first shot at it when the time comes" We had so many memories as a family in this truck. Drive in movies, racing import tuner wannabe's, hauling unGodly amounts of scrap metal, cruising around town. I even almost died the last time I drove it just over 4 years ago. That's a whole story in itself I'll save for later. Suffice to say, it's been sitting for 4 years.

Jump on out of the time machine and we'll find ourselves this last Sunday afternoon. It was my oldest boy's 16th birthday. We were having a typical birthday for a mature minded 16 year old boy (another story for another time). After the presents were opened and the cake was eaten we were watching TV. I got up and walked to the kitchen for a snack. I came back with an envelope, pen, and a key. He looked bewildered when I handed the items until he opened the envelope. Inside was the signed title for a 1968 GMC C1500. He litterally jumped up and hugged me.

Two weeks from now, him and I will drag it out of storage and bring it back to life. He's excited to drive it to school, work, and dates with his first true girlfriend. He knows the history of the truck and has a high level of respect for it all. He has money saved up for insurance, gas, and parts needed to revive it.

Although I no longer own it, I still have a soft spot in my heart for the truck. My memories of it go way back to 1979 when I first saw the truck. Old man Svere Rognstadt (neighbor) and I would pull tree stumps, go down town for lunch, and many other outtings in the same truck. He was like a grandpa to me. I made a promise when I bought the truck that I would treat it right. I believe I have.

sniff-sniff
gotta go now