An Interesting Story About My '68 CST/Custom Camper

[LockDoc]

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The original post when I got the truck is here:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=478066

I had to go to Pella, Iowa the other day so I took the ladies information that I got off the title for the '68 before I transferred it over to my name. I had looked the name up in the online white pages and there was a listing for her so I told the wife I was going to try to contact her. I had printed out a map from Google Maps and used it to locate the house. I went to the door and asked her if she used to own a Silver 1968 Chevrolet truck. She said she didn't but her late husband did. He bought the truck new in 1968 and they were married in 1969. He died 13 years ago and she kept the truck for a while because she couldn't make herself sell it. She said that her husband used it for daily transportation, hauling fire wood, hunting and fishing, and to pull his ski boat and small travel trailer with. She finally donated the truck to an organization that rehabilitated teenage alcoholics in Des Moines, Iowa because she thought her husband would approve of that. The truck was then purchased by the owner of the salvage yard at an auction that the rehabilitation organization had, but he never transferred the title into his name. The lady couldn't believe that I had bought the truck and was going to fix it up. I printed out a picture and took it with me and when I showed it to her I thought she was going to start crying. She said it brought back a lot of memories for her. She thanked me several times for stopping and wanted me to keep in touch. She still has her husbands wooden water skis and asked me if I wanted them to display in the back of the truck when I get it finished. I gave her my card and told her I would stop back the next time I was down that way. That trip made my day and I'm pretty sure it did hers too...... I was really happy to learn some history on the truck.

LockDoc

[shawno72]

Great story. When I bought my 72 the old man gave me a long history of it. I would go by his house every so often and show him the progress. He liked that I could tell and every time I stopped I would a little more history of the truck. When I sold it I never had the heart to go by and tell him.
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[black_sheep454]

Awesome story. Makes all the work worth it just for that.
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[CG]

Great story, now you have to finish the truck =)

[special-K]

That is an interesting story. One f those things where you could have thought about it and decided "maybe not" and now that you did "how could you not?" Life happens,but we can make it better and stuff like this is it.

[Sicklajoie]

Nice story

[rsavage]

It's a great story Leon. It never ceases to amaze me how these trucks leave a lasting positive impact on the lives of people.

[sboris]

That's cool. Gotta make that lady feel good thata piece of her husband is gonna live on..
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[Street Smart]

Great stuff!

[toms68cst]

I love it! I'm anxious to see your restoration progress.

[yuccales]

That was nice of you to swing by and talk to her, made her day I'm sure.

[flashed]

Thats a very nice story and a nice looking truck. I dont want to intrude on your post but I bought a 72 El Camino SS about 7 years ago from the second owner who had lost interest in it after owning it for 30 years and after I restored it I took it back to let them see it. His wife asked if I would sell it back to them and I told her no but that they could drive it any time they wanted ,she said ni I was just checking to see if you loved it as much as we did .I do love that El Camino and still not for sale .My 72 Chevy truck that is getting a frame off restoration was owned for 30 years by an old guy that finally realized he could not afford to fix it the way it deserved and when its finished he will get the same offer as the first as he did not really want to let it go. Keep us posted on your truck ,I love stories like yours.

[dhaymaker]

Fantastic story! I've bought and sold so many old cars and trucks. I've been able to find a few survivors, here and there, but this is certainly a "feel good" story! Good job.

[factorystock]

Another reason to restore it back to the way it left the dealers lot. There memories are of the way it looked back then, not of a new owners custom project creation. When paint color is changed and the original wheels and hubcaps are removed, the original owner's wouldn't even recognize it anymore.

[LockDoc]

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Many thanks to all. I won't be able to start on it until April or May with all of the other stuff I have going on right now. I need to get the Suburban finished up, then the '36 Ford.

LockDoc

[factorystock]

How about a gold medal along with the silver? This one also has the original one piece 16.5" rims with clips that accept the original 3/4 ton hubcaps. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevr...m=271040670401

[72 Super]

That was a great story.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by factorystock

How about a gold medal along with the silver? This one also has the original one piece 16.5" rims with clips that accept the original 3/4 ton hubcaps.

Oooh, a big block truck too!! Looks like a nice truck but it doesn't have the buckets so it won't match...

Originally Posted by 72 Super

That was a great story.

Thanks. I haven't started on it yet so I feel bad about that....

[special-K]

You haven't started on it,yet? So,what's the story now?

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by special-K

You haven't started on it,yet? So,what's the story now?

I've been spending too much time in Jail...

Oh, and a couple of other projects too.

LockDoc

[bobs409]

I have always wanted to contact some of the owners of my cars but never had the courage.

I just have a feeling that most would not be interested and would probably slam the door in my face or something worse. LOL

I will be taking the wrecker I'm restoring to visit it's past owner if he's still alive when it's done. Still not sure how that's going to go but you guys will hear about it good or bad next year hopefully.

[special-K]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

I've been spending too much time in Jail...

Oh, and a couple of other projects too.

LockDoc

That's no excuse. I was just at the Eastern Museum of Motorsports Racing yesterday ( www.emmr.org ) where they have "The Prison Car" on display. I can't remember the racer's name,but he was in prison in MI (I believe) and they let him build this race care as a project for the inmates. So,you're going to have to come up with something better . Oh ok,now I see you mentioned "other projects". Now I understand. So,how is your wife these days?

[lil hoodlum]

An old thread for sure, but a great story about how these trucks have stories behind them.

Thanks for sharing Leon.

[Happy_dan]

Fantastic!

I have a story about a 73 Camaro I was restoring. It was my friends car growing up and the car I met my wife in. We had gone on vacation in that car and when we got to the place, I stepped out and met my future wife. Love at first sight. LOL.

Anyway, a few years ago, I bought the car from him as he had kept it all these years. The documentation was there so I called the original owner. He bought the car in 73 and traded it in in 1974. I figured what the heck and called the number on the warranty information. To my surprise and his, he answered the phone. He was very surprised to hear from me and surprise the car was still around. He told me he traded a 69 Camaro SS 396 in for it figuring the next generation would be so much better. He hated it and traded it in a year later on a Corvette. He didn't like the car at all and was glad to have it gone. He was going to look and see if he had any paperwork from then, but never found any. Oh well, the car was a total rust bucket and after doing much of the metal work, I sold it and bought my truck. I am happy about that!

[68Gold/white]

I'll be looking for that build!!!