Found My Dad's Truck!

[4tiresngas]

My sister just called from Georgia to tell me she found my dad's old truck (69 SWB) and the guy will sell it to her for $300. I'm sending a check. I know it is rusted out and the engine is probably gone, but I still want it.

I flipped it end over end when I was 15. I had borrowed it without permission. My dad said, "You wanted a truck...there it is," as they pulled it up on the roll-back. It took us the better part of a year to get it back on the road. It was the first vehicle for all five of us boys. Of course, we went through several engines and put a stepside bed on it. My younger brother sold it a few years back.

My dad passed away two years ago. I want to get it and restore it. Put a fleetside bed back on it. Leave it all drums. I figure I ought to pick up some original rust-free sheetmetal while i'm still out here in California.

[thejoker]

That's awesome man. Congrats and good luck. Be sure and post some pics of now and as you go.

[Swbman]

Man that sounds cool, keep her original...

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by 4tiresngas

. . . I figure I ought to pick up some original rust-free sheetmetal while i'm still out here in California.

Well you're in the right place. I live in Tucson AZ. Most of the local yards are fished out. I had to go to the Bay Area to get some rare parts for my '71 Jimmy. Go figure.

[ACES]

Thats a Great story. I can't wait until you post some pictures of it.

[Bill72BB]

Great find ,especially with all the memories attached to it . You will probably have to fight your brothers off once it starts looking good .

[67ChevyRedneck]

My grandpa told me once that he found a truck that looked "just like yours" for sale. Well, it wasn't even a Chevy How do you know it was your dad's? Was it sold in georgia or did it makes its way there somehow? What year did y'all sell it? I like to ask lots of questions Good luck gettin 'er back together and post lots of pics

[shifty]

Good find, great place to find it

I've got a couple of running engines and at least one good, working 2spd tranny here in GA if you're interested (see signature).

[farside847]

You will probably have to fight your brothers off once it starts looking good .

My truck was my grandfathers. When I first got it the truck had been sitting for years, now that I have it pretty much how I want it my brother keeps eyeing it when I see him. Hes still scared of the 3 on the tree though. Come to think about it thats why my wive never touches it either

[beautimus]

thats great !!! i would give my left ar...(er well i would give a lot) to find my granddad's 72 long bed. congrats !!

[krue]

That's cool, I wish I new what happened to my dad's truck.

[ChevLoRay]

Snif, snif.....My dad never, ever owned a truck. How wrong is that? He's driven them, beginning in the pre-WWII years, which kept him stateside in the Big War driving tractor-trailer rigs for the gummint.

Good story. We know you'll keep us posted.

I have dreams about running across my old '56 Mercury, in a barn and not for sale. Scarry.

[86swb]

Originally Posted by krue

That's cool, I wish I new what happened to my dad's truck.

Krue, what kind of truck did your Dad have? There are ways of tracing them down with the computer I am told but do not know how myself. Or maby it was the DMV's computer.

[Palf70Step]

My dad drove a F--- ranger. Whoever has it can keep it far as I'm concerned.

[wugunguy]

That's sweet, it's always cool finding your original truck. I just traced down my dad's first truck- 78 scottsdale-going to do the exact same-keep it original

[thecatseye66]

Love those stories...
Glad you found it!

[69 Short Fleet]

Great story! I was going to give my truck to my dad for a gift (and build another one)after I finished the restoration and suprise him. We took it on a holiday together after I first bought it, took turns driving it and have some excellent memories. Unfortunately he died before I got the restoration complete (very sad). Pretty amazing you rolled it end over end and the frame pulled through unbent, great ol trucks the Chevy & GMC's are... long live the general (lol). Doug

[truckster]

I wish my dad had a truck. He had a 64 Rambler wagon, but I'll pass on that one. It's cool that you could have that kind of tie to your past. Keep us posted on the progress.

[55chevy]

Great find Dan! Those Georgia trucks aren't too rusty, unless it's by the coast. Send some of that rust free sheet metal my way

[matthufham]

that's awesome, do you know who has your truck, or did you just stumble upon it?

[Aquivarious]

Saying the same as everyone else but great story... I have to ask, did you find it by luck or did you know where it was all along? Keep us posted!

[Downtown]

Dan

Congrats on your find. I also have purchased my Dad's truck. He ordered a 72 Super Cheyenne ( He didn't want it off the lot). A year after he bought it, it was involved in an accident at a gas station. All kinds of fire and everthing involving 4 automobiles and 3 gas pumps. It destroyed the bed, but the rest of the truck was fine. He sold it as it was to a guy in our town. That guy drove it for 3 years and parked it in 1977. I found it in 1988. It took me until 2003 to buy it back. It sat outside all those years but is still very fixable. When I bought it the guy could not find the title. He went into a nursing home. His sister was cleaning out the house and found the title and called me. IT WAS THE ORIGINAL TITLE STILL IN MY DAD'S NAME. He nevered transferred it. Just stuck a plate on the truck and drove it. After I got it back the old town sheriff stopped by my house. He is retired but remembered the truck from the accident in 1973. He brought me a polaroid picture of the accident with the truck sitting right in the middle. My Dad is still living but in failing health. Reading some of these post I realize I have got to get this truck done so he can have the first ride. Congrats again and thanks for the post. Didn't mean to ramble just thought it was a good story to share.

Mark

[tdangle]

I also got my dad's truck. He had bought it new in 1970. It's kind of wierd driving it sometimes. I get flashbacks of when I was a kid riding around in it. Too bad he didn't keep it up before he passed away. I have a California rust truck.

Anyway, Good luck with your "new" truck.

[4tiresngas]

Hi guys! My brother sold it/traded it...did something with it a few years ago. The truck was in the same town. I'm originally from Georgia and will be going back in about 18 months (retiring from the Army).

Here's my concern. When I flipped it end over end, we replaced the cab. I do not know if we used the VIN off the cab or off the frame to register it. My sister told me today, the VIN plate is missing off the cab and the owners do not have a tag receipt and have never registered it. In fact, the 2002 tag on the truck may be in my brother's name...sister is going to check with the DMV tomorrow.

I'm just hoping the VIN on the registration matches the frame and I can track down the last registered owner to get a trail of ownership. It is small town Georgia. I might could get it registered with just a bill of sale, but I want to make sure everything is on the up and up.

[4tiresngas]

I hope you get it fixed in time. I went back home to Georgia with ther 69 in my avatar. My dad had had three strokes and was in a wheel chair, but his face lit up when I pushed him outside to see my truck. I think it brought back a lot of good memories for him. Most of my childhood my dad drank alot. We never spent much time together until I wrecked his truck. Looking back, spending all that time working on that old truck brought me, my brothers and my dad a lot closer together.

I always remember as a kid, my dad sat out by the truck almost every night (drinking a Bud) listening to the Atlanta Braves on the AM radio (that's why I want it original). Man they sucked. At least I can say I took him to a Braves game before he died.