My project and my story

[russellmarling]

I have been on this board for awhile, but I don't post very often. I took some pics of my truck today, and I thought I would share the story that goes along with the truck.
My grandfather bought this truck from the original owner in 1979. He used it as a work truck until 1991 when he retired it to the garage and pulled the original 6cyl/3-on-the-tree in preparation for the eventual restoration. I vaguely remember going for a few rides with grandpa in this truck when I was about 5 years old, and that was all it took to get me hooked. Throughout my childhood, I played in this truck that sat dormant in the garage- pretending I was driving it. Grandpa noticed my fascination with this truck and promised that I would inherit it someday. Fast forward to late 2003. Grandpa had been sidetracked by many other projects over the years and the truck had been left untouched. He and I had restored an 83 Camaro together as my first car and we worked on his 70 Monte Carlo SS454. Having taken good care of the Camaro, grandpa decided I was ready for the truck. We began a frame off resto- I did the frame and suspension, and grandpa built the 454 and Muncie M20 4 speed. We put them together and painted the inside of the cab and the firewall. In November 2004 grandpa passed away. I was devastated. I eventually moved the truck into my friend's garage and resumed work on it. Now it is almost driveable. The one and only thing I need to drive it is a big block clutch linkage. I have been unable to locate one, so my friend and I are trying to fabricate one, but it is slow-going. To this day I have never driven the truck. Sorry to be so long winded, but I needed to tell the story to somebody. Enjoy the pics. This is my favorite website. Thanks.

[IvelDesigns]

great truck and great story. Hope to see it completely finished some day soon

[Rascal_one2001]

Looks good I bet your grandpa would be proud of it. keep up the good work

[Bishops Trucks]

Keep it up and you will have it on the road before you know it.

[GREASEMONKEY72]

nice truck and very nice story, its always nice to hear the good and meaningfull storys behind some of these trucks and how much some of these trucks really mean to someone and i wish you the best of luck getting the truck finished and i bet that your grandpa is already proud of you and your truck and what youve done to it and im sure that when you do get it on the road hell be right there next to you on the seat riding along just like you used to, keep up the good work and goodluck

[regal8r]

my fascination with these trucks kinda started out as yours. my grandma and grandpa used to have one, not sure on the year, but im pretty sure it was a 67 LWB, goldenrod paint. i remember sittin in the bed takin stuff apart ever since i was still in diapers. ever since then i wanted to get a 67-72 and fix it up as kind of a tribute to them (my grandma mostly)

[Yukon Jack]

Great looking truck. Thanks for sharing your story. Have you considered going with a hydraulic clutch?

[toomanytoyz]

Check out this Guy on ebay, Seems to have a lot of old hard to find Parts....

Thanks, Rick

http://stores.ebay.com/B-and-M-Engine-Supply

[special-K]

Welcome,glad you spoke up.You have a nice truck coming together.You should be able to find the linkage from a standard shift big block truck somewhere.

[bryanw1968]

Originally Posted by russellmarling

I have been on this board for awhile, but I don't post very often. I took some pics of my truck today, and I thought I would share the story that goes along with the truck.
My grandfather bought this truck from the original owner in 1979. He used it as a work truck until 1991 when he retired it to the garage and pulled the original 6cyl/3-on-the-tree in preparation for the eventual restoration. I vaguely remember going for a few rides with grandpa in this truck when I was about 5 years old, and that was all it took to get me hooked. Throughout my childhood, I played in this truck that sat dormant in the garage- pretending I was driving it. Grandpa noticed my fascination with this truck and promised that I would inherit it someday. Fast forward to late 2003. Grandpa had been sidetracked by many other projects over the years and the truck had been left untouched. He and I had restored an 83 Camaro together as my first car and we worked on his 70 Monte Carlo SS454. Having taken good care of the Camaro, grandpa decided I was ready for the truck. We began a frame off resto- I did the frame and suspension, and grandpa built the 454 and Muncie M20 4 speed. We put them together and painted the inside of the cab and the firewall. In November 2004 grandpa passed away. I was devastated. I eventually moved the truck into my friend's garage and resumed work on it. Now it is almost driveable. The one and only thing I need to drive it is a big block clutch linkage. I have been unable to locate one, so my friend and I are trying to fabricate one, but it is slow-going. To this day I have never driven the truck. Sorry to be so long winded, but I needed to tell the story to somebody. Enjoy the pics. This is my favorite website. Thanks.

Sounds like you had one hell of a cool Grandpa. Sorry you lost him. Mine was way cool also. Great story and great truck!!

[FarmTruk]

A big HOWDY from Wallburg, NC.

An engine swap from an I-6 to a Rat 454...hmmmm...your grandpa sounds likes he was a good fella there, and it seems to have rubbed of on you. He'd be proud to know you're finishing what he started. Best o' luck to ya'.

[RedZ71]

well, thats one of the main tasks of a grandpa: to provide a limitless amount of inspriation to the grandson, in a worldly short period of time.

my granddad did for me, and my dad is doing now for my 3year old.

i really enjoyed your story... reminds me of my granddad, and i can see my dad and my son right now developing that smae bond. someday, god willing, ill do my best to provide the same thing to my sons children.

finish that truck!!! the memory of your granddad deserves it!

[see ten]

Keep on truckin!!!!!!!!!

[low'n slow]

Great story and a good looking truck.

[byrd]

That is an awesome story, I wish you the best with the truck and make ol' grandpa proud