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#1 |
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Dad's new truck
Reminiscing – Dad’s new truck
Richard Lentinello on Apr 19th, 2017 ![]() Dad’s new C-10 in 1969. Photos courtesy Debra Ross-Andrade. [Editor’s note: This “Reminiscing” story, edited by Richard Lentinello] The summer of 1969 was the summer of wild times and music at Woodstock, and the summer that Neil Armstrong placed the first human footprints on the moon. The summer of ’69 was also when my dad purchased a new Chevrolet C-10 Fleetside half-ton pickup truck from Carl Chevrolet in San Jose, California. This was Dad’s first purchase of a new vehicle, and he ordered his truck with the custom cab option, a 350-cu.in. V-8 with a four-barrel carburetor, and two-tone paint, white over yellow-green. A construction worker for most of his life, Dad selected the “no rear bumper” option available at the time and had the dealer install a heavy-duty aftermarket Barden step bumper. A pair of “West Coast” style truck mirrors was also installed. The truck spent the next 40-plus years as Dad’s daily driver, and although other cars (mostly Chevys) were bought and sold over the years, the ’69 pickup was a constant and often served as our family’s sole source of transportation. Mom would rise early each morning and drive Dad to work, so the truck would be available during the day for shopping, taking grandchildren to school and other daily chores. Later in the afternoon, Mom or I would pick Dad up from work. On weekends, the truck would be put to use either hauling materials for home projects, or hauling dirt bikes into the surrounding hills for my brother Larry and his friends. This was the vehicle in which I obtained my first driver’s license, and my first speeding ticket. I remember coming home and handing Dad the ticket and keys. He looked at the ticket and remarked, “I didn’t think that truck could go that fast.” I then handed over my newly acquired driver’s license, which he held on to for two months. I have not had a speeding ticket since. When Larry enlisted in the Army, he was sent to nearby Fort Ord for basic training. Every Sunday, we’d get up early, load a picnic lunch into the truck, and make the two-hour trip to Monterey to enjoy lunch and a brief visit before heading back home to San Jose. When Larry married, it was the ‘69 C-10 that carried us to his wedding in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Today, I can’t imagine having made that trip in the pickup. Although rear coil springs gave the truck a car-like ride, and it was equipped with air conditioning and power brakes, it didn’t have power steering. And, since trucks of that time weren’t very well insulated, the road noise was excruciating. An avid hunter and fisherman, Dad eventually installed a camper shell to provide security for his sporting equipment, and shelter for Trump, his English pointer who served as an excellent hunting partner and faithful companion. Every evening, Trump would hear the truck round the corner and excitedly anticipate his daily training session in the front yard. To Trump, the truck represented a day spent traveling with his master, and then romping through field and stream in search of game. ![]() Dad with the truck in April 2013. The truck was never garaged, and Dad, being a stickler for maintenance, had it repainted once or twice over the years. The engine and automatic transmission were overhauled as needed, too. Sometime in the late ’80s or early ’90s, the original engine was replaced with a new crate engine, which is still in use today. During its 40-plus years of serving our family, the C-10 has never been involved in any body-crunching mishaps. On one occasion, though, a minor engine compartment fire erupted as Dad and Mom were returning home from an errand. A recently replaced starter cable had been installed a bit too close to the exhaust manifold. Heat from the manifold melted the plastic insulation on the cable, causing a direct short, which sparked the fire. Dad always had an extinguisher on board, so was able to calmly pull to the side of the road and extinguish the blaze before firefighters arrived. The fire itself caused only minor damage, but what upset Dad the most was that someone had walked away with his extinguisher, which he had set at the curb while talking with the firemen. Dad purchased another extinguisher, which to this day, although many years beyond its expiration date, remains mounted above the driver’s-side seat back. Dad gave up driving at age 91 and turned the truck over to me and my husband, Steve. We have refurbished the interior to original, and plan to repaint it soon. We continue to use it as a workhorse, hauling building and landscape materials, as well as feed and other supplies for use around the homestead. Since we’ve been using the old C-10, the long-forgotten practice of Steve walking around to the passenger side and opening the door for me has returned, one of the benefits of needing to use the key to unlock the doors, rather than today’s convenience of simply pushing the unlock button on an electronic key-fob. Like the memories of the summer of ’69, and those first footprints that remain indelibly etched on the lunar surface, our little C-10 has endured the tests of time and continues to be a working member of our fleet today. One of our favorite things about using the old truck is listening to the original AM radio, which sounds as good today as it ever has, not to mention the renewed appreciation we have for power steering.
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1972 C10 SWB, 1970 Corvette, 2017 Grand Sport |
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#2 |
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Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Dallas Texas
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Re: Dad's new truck
Great story and pictures. Thanks for sharing!
-klb
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67 C10 fleet fuel injected '70 402, 700r4, 3.73 posi 07 335 sport turbo 6sp 94 Trans Am GT LT1 6sp posi -- sold after 22yrs 99 540 sport V8 6sp -- sold 73 240z L24 4sp -- given to friend 68 C10 step 350/350 3.73 open -- sold |
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#3 |
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Join Date: Jan 2017
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Re: Dad's new truck
Nice truck story, Dad looks like a proud man.
Greg
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________________ 1970 GMC Sierra Grande, 2500 133" wb, 402, 4spd. 2007 GMC 3500 SRW 4x4, Crew cab, Duramax/Allison. (Sold} 1987 Chevy Suburban 2500, Silverado, 2wd, 454, t-400 2023 Chevy Silverado LT 3500, crew cab, longbox, 4x4 Z-71 Duramax. |
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#4 |
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Join Date: May 2016
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Re: Dad's new truck
Awesome story! I really enjoyed reading that. Glad the truck has survived and stayed in the family.
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1969 Custom C10 |
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#5 |
Senior Member
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Location: Berne IN
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Re: Dad's new truck
Cool story! So, the truck is in FL now?
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#6 |
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Re: Dad's new truck
I agree, very cool story. Thanks for sharing.
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#7 |
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Re: Dad's new truck
Enjoyed the read very much.
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There's something women like about a pick-up man 1967 c10 swb Stepside 2004 SSR 2013 Silverado swb |
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#8 |
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Join Date: Feb 2012
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Re: Dad's new truck
Thanks for sharing. Wonderful write up.
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1971 Longbed BB Cheyenne Super 1972 Longbed SB Cheyenne Super 1972 Longbed Highlander Custom Deluxe 1975 K5 4x4 full convertible Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=645165 Greg Smyrna TN |
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#9 |
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Re: Dad's new truck
Great story!
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#10 |
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Re: Dad's new truck
Awesome story, truck, and photos. Thanks for sharing!
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Builds: Green Gus the 68 C10 ; Sullii the 72 1500 - Instagram: @dr.hewitt - C10 Concept/Development Photos: Master Thread |
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#11 |
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Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Portland, Or
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Re: Dad's new truck
Thanks for sharing this story, it brings back many memories of me with my grandpa and his '67 C10.
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#12 |
Go Pack Go!
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Green Bay
Posts: 2,669
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Re: Dad's new truck
Nice story. I'm happy to learn the truck will be kept in the family.
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#13 |
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Re: Dad's new truck
Great write up! Thank you for sharing your truck & story!
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![]() '05 RCSB Sierra 2WD '71 Sierra 2WD Longbed '98 Silverado K1500 Xcab...sold '72 Highlander"Raymond"...sold |
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#14 |
6>8 Plugless........
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Re: Dad's new truck
Very nice story and it is awesome it will stay in the family!
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Ryan 1972 Chevy Longhorn K30 Cheyenne Super, 359 Inline 6 cylinder, Auto Trans, Tilt, Diesel Tach/Vach, Buckets, Rare Rear 4-link and air ride option Build Thread 1972 GMC Sierra Grande Longhorn 4x4 1972 Chevy Cheyenne Super K20 Long Step side tilt, tach, tow hooks, AC, 350 4 speed 1972 C10 Suburban Custom Deluxe 1969 Chevy milk truck 1971 Camaro RS 5.3 BTR STG3 Cam Super T10 1940 Ford 354 Hemi 46RH Ford 9" on air ride huge project Tired of spark plugs? Check this out. |
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#15 |
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Re: Dad's new truck
What a story!
Reading this has made my day. It never ceases to amaze me how we are so attached to our memories around family, automobiles, and experiences. Every time you get in that truck I am sure you are drowned in those memories. You should be very proud to have the opportunity to make more memories as the years will continue to tick by. Thanks for posting. |
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#16 |
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Re: Dad's new truck
Great story! PS is an easy upgrade in a 69...
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#17 |
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Re: Dad's new truck
That's a lucky truck...
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1972 Chevy C-10, SWB, Fleet, 350/350, PS, PB, HEI, mostly stock, Survivor. ![]() |
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#18 |
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Re: Dad's new truck
I dont think this is his story (or truck). Its just a repost he shared from Hemmings. Richard Lentinello (credited) is an automotive author.
https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2017/0...comments-block
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1970 C-10 LWB "Blu" Instagram (current build pictures) 70_nc_c10 |
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#19 |
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Re: Dad's new truck
[QUOTE=NC_John;8054961]I dont think this is his story (or truck). Its just a repost he shared from Hemmings. Richard Lentinello (credited) is an automotive author.
I was extremely clear about the story giving full credit to the author Lentinello. I find your post vacuous and unnecessary.
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#20 | |
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Re: Dad's new truck
[quote=skytop;8060022]
Quote:
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Take Care Troy |
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#21 | |
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Re: Dad's new truck
[quote=Troy Sr;8060049]
Quote:
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1970 C-10 LWB "Blu" Instagram (current build pictures) 70_nc_c10 |
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#22 | |
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Re: Dad's new truck
[quote=skytop;8060022]
Quote:
Must not have been "extremely clear" if you were being asked specific questions about the truck, huh?
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