Grandfathers 61

[CVA59]

Hey guys, I just found these pics of my grandfather in his brand new 61 Chevy. I believe these to have been taken somewhere around late 1960 or early 1961. I was just sitting here missing him so i thought i would share some of my old memories with you guys.

[steverino66]

How cool is that?
Be sure to pass our love of old trucks along to any youngsters you have around.

[Revoh]

Very cool!

[Captainfab]

That is very cool.....looks like he got the full Custom Cab trim package......very rare truck to find these days.

[likaroc13]

i agree, very cool...& a very nice truck as well

[jonzcustomshop]

must be nice to be able to buy one with no rust or dents!!

[aerotruk63]

Full wheel disk's jonz in the second picture?

[Woogeroo]

a knee knocker cab, sweet.

thanks for sharing.

-W

[jonzcustomshop]

Originally Posted by aerotruk63

Full wheel disk's jonz in the second picture?

yeah , but look like a custom afermarket set..

[CVA59]

Thanks guys. I am sure my dad put those aftermarket wheel covers on, LOL. Funny thing though, that truck was top of the line and it did not even have a radio. To this day that still bugs my dad. He said he would go out crusing with his buddies and they did not even have a radio to listen to, LOL. I recently starting searching for this truck some 50 years later. I talked to my Uncle about it and he told me he thinks is was crushed in a local junkyard many years ago. I would have give almost anything to find it and restore it. Just the fact that was my Grandfather's truck would have been enough for me even if i never did anything with it. Here are a couple more that my mother took of him sitting in the truck a short time before he died in 1969. As you can see, Grandad wasn't much for worrying about scratching his truck. He used it and didn't care what it looked like, LOL. MAN! Where have the years gone?

Those of you from Mississippi. The first 2 pictures (1st post) are from Hazlehurst, MS where he lived. These are taken on Hwy 51 in Crystal Springs (just north of Hazlehurst) across from the Shake-N-Burger.

[Rogue]

Cool, I have my grandfathers truck, but no pics of him in it.

[markeb01]

Great pictures, thanks for sharing. Amazing how fast these could deteriorate with enough indifference. But when these trucks were new, many owners didn't give them any more attention than they would a tractor.

The wheel covers in the 2nd shot seem to be the old "cone" style which were very popular in the late 50's - early 60's. Would be fun to build a clone of this truck in his honor.

[CVA59]

Originally Posted by markeb01

Great pictures, thanks for sharing. Amazing how fast these could deteriorate with enough indifference. But when these trucks were new, many owners didn't give them any more attention than they would a tractor.

The wheel covers in the 2nd shot seem to be the old "cone" style which were very popular in the late 50's - early 60's. Would be fun to build a clone of this truck in his honor.

You are exactly right markeb01. I have considered selling my 64 to find a 61 like this one and replicate it. That would be an awesome project for my dad and i. I still wish i knew for sure if this truck was crushed or not.

[CVA59]

Just an update on my search for Grandad's 61. My uncle informed me a few months before he passed away that Grandad's 61 was indeed crushed many years ago. I recently was back home in Mississippi for my uncle's funeral. I stopped by the junkyard where his truck was last seen and there were no cars left and everything had been cleared out. So, i guess that pretty much wraps up any hopes in finding his old truck. I sure wish i would have thought many years ago to go down there and get the truck while is was still there. Live and learn i guess.

[BC Pappy]

Memories are wonderful!! God Bless Mississippi!!!

[kieth]

Originally Posted by CVA59

Hey guys, I just found these pics of my grandfather in his brand new 61 Chevy. I believe these to have been taken somewhere around late 1960 or early 1961. I was just sitting here missing him so i thought i would share some of my old memories with you guys.

Hey Zack, I just went over and looked at this truck at lunch today, it is a little pricey but very very straight. It is a 60 model but is stock as stock can be and driveable. He wants $5,000 might come off that price a little

http://tulsa.craigslist.org/cto/2429338741.html

I have his phone # also. Kieth


all you would have to find would be a SWB and you would be in business. oops it is a long bed ....my bad

[markeb01]

Thanks for sharing "the rest of the story". Such a shame it was crushed, all that beautiful deluxe trim! Certainly a rarity today. Back in the 1960's my former father-in-law went through several 60-66 trucks. He'd buy one in beautiful condition, beat it senseless, take it to the junk yard and get another one. There was no thought of collectability in those days. These were just trucks and available everywhere.

[CVA59]

Originally Posted by markeb01

Thanks for sharing "the rest of the story". Such a shame it was crushed, all that beautiful deluxe trim! Certainly a rarity today. Back in the 1960's my former father-in-law went through several 60-66 trucks. He'd buy one in beautiful condition, beat it senseless, take it to the junk yard and get another one. There was no thought of collectability in those days. These were just trucks and available everywhere.

LOL, yes Mark. That is pretty much how my Grandad's turn out. He ran it til it quit and got another one, LOL. I would love to have seen it the day he got it. My dad was with him that day and he told me the story of how they both walked into the local small town dealer, Grandad saw this truck sitting on the showroom floor and had to have it. A short time later dad said they drove out in it. What a great moment in time that must have been. Maybe one day i will find a good candidate that i can make a clone from, who knows.

[CVA59]

Originally Posted by kieth

Hey Zack, I just went over and looked at this truck at lunch today, it is a little pricey but very very straight. It is a 60 model but is stock as stock can be and driveable. He wants $5,000 might come off that price a little

http://tulsa.craigslist.org/cto/2429338741.html

I have his phone # also. Kieth


all you would have to find would be a SWB and you would be in business. oops it is a long bed ....my bad

Thanks Kieth, I will check it out. Not sure i can afford another one until i sell mine but it is definitely worth checking out. I know where there is an original untouched exact twin to his truck in a garage but the guy won't sell it. I would love to have it

[Corts60]

That is really awesome man. Thanks for sharing!

[Driveway Dreams]

Awesome story. Sad too, but great history. My Grandpa gave me a 64 GMC when I was 16. It had a utility box on it and I had no capability at the time to changes that or fix the ol' truck up so I sold it to help buy a sedan. He passed away a couple years ago and I regret selling that truck all the time. However. I am building my Suburban in his honor. That 64 is the main reason that I just had to have a GMC not a Chevy Suburban. Good luck to you in the future.

[CVA59]

Thanks guys. If i could change one thing in my life it would be that i could have spent time with my Grandfather. From all i have ever heard he was AWESOME. I know i can't go back but it would sure bring me a lot of enjoyment when i am cruising down the road in a cloned truck of his. Life is too short and taken for granted too often.

[CVA59]

Ok guys, i have some awesome news. I have known about a twin to Grandad's 61 for sometime now. I spoke to the owner tonight and he has agreed to trade me even for my 64. I am pumped!!! I cannot believe dad and i are actually gonna be able to build a clone to Grandad's truck. This is a dream come true. I will post some pics up when i get it back home.

[firenuttz]

that is some really awesome news, cant wait for pics/build thread

[CVA59]

Originally Posted by firenuttz

that is some really awesome news, cant wait for pics/build thread

Thanks, there is no way i will be able to sleep tonight knowing that Sunday i am getting it. I am like a kid on the night before Christmas morning.