first car phone - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

flaco · 08-08-2002, 11:18 PM

here is a pic of the interior of my pickup when I bought it. Notice the old rotory phone? The guy I bought it from said his dad installed it and used it as a intercom system between the cab and the camper. I think I'll leave it in a while, it's part of the trucks personality.

RipMeyer · 08-08-2002, 11:23 PM

Where can I get one? LOL

I think it adds to the personality

toms68cst · 08-08-2002, 11:40 PM

I'd keep it in! It's really cool. It's the first one I've ever seen.

Super Chevy · 08-08-2002, 11:44 PM

Neat, Never seen that...

flaco · 08-08-2002, 11:50 PM

I thought I would tell all the unsuspecting youngsters that it was original equipment. After all we're talking about a generation that, for the most part, doesn't know what an 8-track is. I can picture some kid telling his friends he saw an original car phone and his friends all listening intently to the story. Life is good

ChevLoRay · 08-08-2002, 11:54 PM

Man! All of you young'uns have been leading a sheltered life, haven't you? Lots of phrases in use today actually had a purpose in the past, like "dialing" a phone. Seems the Brits used to "ring up" someone when they wanted to talk. This just looks like a good ole' phone, to me. Nice touch for the truck. It must have been a trip to pull a camper with that stick shift. Of course, that's the way we did a lot of things, back when phones had to be dialed and your number had a name prefix instead of all those numbers.

The phone adds "character". Keep it. It's better than two cans and a string.

toms68cst · 08-09-2002, 12:03 AM

LOL I do remember rotory phones. I've just never seen one in a truck before.

Longhorn Man · 08-09-2002, 12:06 AM

That is pretty d@mn cool.
I remember them too, and an interesting history bit, all the older large cities have area code with 3 low numbers, so when callin them, you didn't have to wait so long for the dial to return to 0.

jostrans68 · 08-09-2002, 01:13 AM

minus the phone that interior is what mine looked like color and all.......

O'l Buck · 08-09-2002, 01:38 AM

that's kinda cool....a retro cell phone...lol

man that brings back memories....both the rotary phone(not good memory)....and that sweet blue 67/8 dash.....just like dad's

I gotta go get that truck rescued from his farmerness......he put a feedwagon box on it....poor truck

**Tim Christian** · 08-09-2002, 06:10 AM

We had a rotory phone growing up we shared the same line with about 5 neighbors. You had to wait till they hung up before you could use the phone. LOL

Longhorn Man · 08-09-2002, 07:05 PM

WOW! I had forgotten all about party lines! My grandma had one up untill the '80's when they told her it was no longer going to be avalable.

mt Al · 08-09-2002, 07:12 PM

My first truck 20 years ago was a '70 chevy bare-bones 2wd. I put in a old CB that had a phone handle for the speaker/microphone. It "hung up" on the CB sideways and covered up the channel dial and looked exactly like a phone. The microphone switch was on the inside of the phone handle.

It fit perfectly under the heater control and looked like stock equipment. I'd say "chicks dug it", but they didn't.

woodrow59 · 08-09-2002, 07:21 PM

We still had a party line in '77 I know for sure, don't know when my mom & dad got a "private line" (remember that term? LOL) And my grandma had a phone # something like TUxedo5-5555.

Oh yeah ,,, don't lose that phone !!! lol

mikej71 · 08-09-2002, 08:09 PM

I was in an old barber shop a while back, and some kid, about 10 years old, asked the barber if he could use the phone. The guy told him "sure, it's over there". The kid came back and said "Sir, I don't know what I'm supposed to do." When he showed him how to work the rotary phone, the kid looked like it was the wierdest thing he'd ever seen. It made me feel pretty old.

**Palf70Step** · 08-09-2002, 08:26 PM

Looks like several I have and used till recently. Got them real chep when the Air Force was switching over. I used them cause I got a bunch for about $5. My daughter was sooooo happy to see a phone with buttons in the house. Never saw one in a truck, but that is really cool.

**68 Stepside** · 08-09-2002, 08:29 PM

Hey Al, talking about this?

I've got one (in better shape than this one), to put in my 68. I think they're neat.

TJ

AK70SWB · 08-09-2002, 10:38 PM

sound like something my dad would do that's funny
andy

frost89434 · 08-09-2002, 10:49 PM

That's cool!!! what kinda range do you get on that thing?

weasel29gm · 08-09-2002, 10:55 PM

Cool, but I still perfer the tin can and string !!!!!!!!!! No call waiting LOL !!!!!!!!!

Grim Reaper · 08-09-2002, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by flaco
I thought I would tell all the unsuspecting youngsters that it was original equipment. After all we're talking about a generation that, for the most part, doesn't know what an 8-track is. I can picture some kid telling his friends he saw an original car phone and his friends all listening intently to the story. Life is good

I'm in the Wirless phone buisness long enough to have removed many IMTS (Improved Mobile Telephone Service) Phones. The system that was in use before Cellular. I understand the systems is still up and working here in Atlanta. The Control head used The handset was the same one as the old Rotory Bell Labs Desk phone. Had as I recall 24 buttons to select a channel. At anytime you could pick it up and listen to other peoples conversation. The transmitter was about 45lb. Size of a medium sized suit case. Pumped out about 30 watts but many were "Adjusted" up to around 50-60 watts LOL. If you touched the antenna while the transmitter was on it would nail the hell out of you.
First wide spread Portable was a little missleading...At 25lb it would wear you out carrying and only about 50 minutes of battery time.

71402BB · 08-09-2002, 11:50 PM

Hey I may be young (18) but I know what an 8 track player is! I have one in the 68 burb! LOL

mt Al · 08-10-2002, 12:44 AM

68 Stepside! Wow, that looks almost like the one I had, except mine was black and didn't have a speaker where you "hang up". The only speaker was in the ear piece.

Where did you get that thing? If I could find another black one, I might just have to spring for it.

nroden · 08-10-2002, 12:48 AM

Facts:
-Up until 8 years ago my grandparents (who owned my truck) had a party line with another man about 2 miles away)

-I am 16 and remember having a rotary phone at our house

-I also remember "pulse" before touch tone

-My church and great aunt and uncle (their only phone) still have rotary phones in use.

-We have an 8 track player in our living room on our stereo, and one in the shop at school that we use to listen to the radio while we're working (but we listen to 610 AM 61 Country because its what the teacher likes)

-Party lines are still availible here

-934=WEL for Wellington

**68 Stepside** · 08-10-2002, 01:46 AM

Hey Al...I got my CB from a friend that I used to work with, for 10 bucks

and it's in way better shape than the one in that picture.

I'll keep my eye out for a black one...I've never seen one in that color.

TJ

08-08-2002, 11:18 PM	#1
flaco Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: denver Posts: 33	first car phone here is a pic of the interior of my pickup when I bought it. Notice the old rotory phone? The guy I bought it from said his dad installed it and used it as a intercom system between the cab and the camper. I think I'll leave it in a while, it's part of the trucks personality. Attached Images

08-08-2002, 11:40 PM	#3
toms68cst Registered User Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Bismarck, ND Posts: 4,285	I'd keep it in! It's really cool. It's the first one I've ever seen. __________________ Unrestored 68 C-10 CST. Original 327. 4-Speed CH465. 50k or so miles. TREASURER, Drum Brake Club.

08-08-2002, 11:50 PM	#5
flaco Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: denver Posts: 33	I thought I would tell all the unsuspecting youngsters that it was original equipment. After all we're talking about a generation that, for the most part, doesn't know what an 8-track is. I can picture some kid telling his friends he saw an original car phone and his friends all listening intently to the story. Life is good __________________ 67 Grand prix convertable 68 Chevy 3/4 ton truck 66 Cadillac sedan deville

08-08-2002, 11:54 PM	#6
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Man! All of you young'uns have been leading a sheltered life, haven't you? Lots of phrases in use today actually had a purpose in the past, like "dialing" a phone. Seems the Brits used to "ring up" someone when they wanted to talk. This just looks like a good ole' phone, to me. Nice touch for the truck. It must have been a trip to pull a camper with that stick shift. Of course, that's the way we did a lot of things, back when phones had to be dialed and your number had a name prefix instead of all those numbers. The phone adds "character". Keep it. It's better than two cans and a string. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

08-09-2002, 12:03 AM	#7
toms68cst Registered User Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Bismarck, ND Posts: 4,285	LOL I do remember rotory phones. I've just never seen one in a truck before. __________________ Unrestored 68 C-10 CST. Original 327. 4-Speed CH465. 50k or so miles. TREASURER, Drum Brake Club.

08-08-2002, 11:23 PM	#2
RipMeyer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Southern New Mexico Posts: 649	Where can I get one? LOL I think it adds to the personality

08-08-2002, 11:44 PM	#4
Super Chevy Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,025	Neat, Never seen that...

08-09-2002, 12:06 AM	#8
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	That is pretty d@mn cool. I remember them too, and an interesting history bit, all the older large cities have area code with 3 low numbers, so when callin them, you didn't have to wait so long for the dial to return to 0.

08-09-2002, 01:13 AM	#9
jostrans68 Jostrans68 Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Bloomington indiana Posts: 1,182	minus the phone that interior is what mine looked like color and all....... __________________ [CGTW Member former 67-72 now with a 96 silverado

08-09-2002, 01:38 AM	#10
O'l Buck Recovering Truck Driver Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Orleans, NE USA Posts: 1,883	that's kinda cool....a retro cell phone...lol man that brings back memories....both the rotary phone(not good memory)....and that sweet blue 67/8 dash.....just like dad's I gotta go get that truck rescued from his farmerness......he put a feedwagon box on it....poor truck __________________ 67 K-20 350, SM465, Eaton rear, 4.56 no spin option 00 Dodge 2500 4x4, 24V cummins, 5 speed Chad South Central Nebraska

08-09-2002, 06:10 AM	#11
Tim Christian Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: TN/VA Posts: 6,388	We had a rotory phone growing up we shared the same line with about 5 neighbors. You had to wait till they hung up before you could use the phone. LOL

08-09-2002, 07:05 PM	#12
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	WOW! I had forgotten all about party lines! My grandma had one up untill the '80's when they told her it was no longer going to be avalable.

08-09-2002, 07:12 PM	#13
mt Al Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Bozeman, Montana Posts: 243	My first truck 20 years ago was a '70 chevy bare-bones 2wd. I put in a old CB that had a phone handle for the speaker/microphone. It "hung up" on the CB sideways and covered up the channel dial and looked exactly like a phone. The microphone switch was on the inside of the phone handle. It fit perfectly under the heater control and looked like stock equipment. I'd say "chicks dug it", but they didn't. __________________ '72 GMC 1/2T 4x4 1500 Super Custom pickup (current) past rides were: '70 Chev 2wd farm truck '71 GMC 2wd 1/2T 402 nice! '72 Chev 2wd 1/2T 396 '72 GMC 3/4T 4x4 2500 Super Custom suburban. Bozeman, Montana

08-09-2002, 07:21 PM	#14
woodrow59 OzarkHillbilly in Atlanta Join Date: May 2002 Location: Douglasville, Ga. Salem, Mo. Posts: 386	We still had a party line in '77 I know for sure, don't know when my mom & dad got a "private line" (remember that term? LOL) And my grandma had a phone # something like TUxedo5-5555. Oh yeah ,,, don't lose that phone !!! lol __________________ 72 custom/10 LWB 68 Longhorn C20 Custom Camper (sold)

08-09-2002, 08:09 PM	#15
mikej71 Unregistered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Houston, TX USA Posts: 538	I was in an old barber shop a while back, and some kid, about 10 years old, asked the barber if he could use the phone. The guy told him "sure, it's over there". The kid came back and said "Sir, I don't know what I'm supposed to do." When he showed him how to work the rotary phone, the kid looked like it was the wierdest thing he'd ever seen. It made me feel pretty old. __________________ 71 SWB Stepside SB400/TH350



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08-09-2002, 08:26 PM	#16
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 46,923	Looks like several I have and used till recently. Got them real chep when the Air Force was switching over. I used them cause I got a bunch for about $5. My daughter was sooooo happy to see a phone with buttons in the house. Never saw one in a truck, but that is really cool. __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

08-09-2002, 08:29 PM	#17
68 Stepside huh? Join Date: May 2000 Location: Washington, Illinois Posts: 5,692	Hey Al, talking about this? I've got one (in better shape than this one), to put in my 68. I think they're neat. TJ Attached Images __________________ Someday when I'm lonely, Wishing you weren't so far away, Then I will remember Things we said today. RIP El Jay

08-09-2002, 10:38 PM	#18
AK70SWB Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SPRINGFIELD MO. Posts: 126	sound like something my dad would do that's funny andy __________________ the sun even shines on a dogs a$$ some days!!!

08-09-2002, 10:49 PM	#19
frost89434 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: sparks, NV Posts: 1,141	That's cool!!! what kinda range do you get on that thing? __________________ 68 short fleet with 71 front clip 2wd jaguar blue 99 chevy ext cab shrtbed z71 loaded 99 chevy swb fleetside(daily driver) Sparks, Nevada

08-09-2002, 10:55 PM	#20
weasel29gm SLOW BUT SURE,BUT CLOSER Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: eleanor wv usa Posts: 3,093	Cool, but I still perfer the tin can and string !!!!!!!!!! No call waiting LOL !!!!!!!!! __________________ 69 C-10, OWNED 35YRS... 350 over 30, 350 Turbo, 3:73 Posi P/S, P/B Black with red and black int. ''LOVE THESE OLD ''TRUCKS.......

08-09-2002, 11:50 PM	#22
71402BB now thats a true COON DOG Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Franconia, NH Posts: 1,977	Hey I may be young (18) but I know what an 8 track player is! I have one in the 68 burb! LOL __________________ current project 67 402BB stout th350 3.08's with a locker. Plan on tubs 18.5's out back! (thanks Burnsman!) 71 SWB Stepside, was a 250, now is a 402 Big Block with 4 speed and 3.73's ( was crushed by a tree, bed sold, motor pulled) was my first truck!... oh well... 72 LWB 4x4 350 4-speed 3.08's posi wearing army olive drab green (SOLD!) 68 BURB 50TH LOOKALIKE work in progress, soon to have 250-I6 with a 3-speed on the tree 4.11's and posi ( currently sitting in back yard tarped awaiting time, $$$, and lots of love!) 67 1 TON- work truck 396 sm 420 4-speed, flat bed 4.57 gears "big red" (my first landscape truck, very rusty and crusty! but still gets the job done when needed!)

08-10-2002, 12:44 AM	#23
mt Al Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Bozeman, Montana Posts: 243	68 Stepside! Wow, that looks almost like the one I had, except mine was black and didn't have a speaker where you "hang up". The only speaker was in the ear piece. Where did you get that thing? If I could find another black one, I might just have to spring for it. __________________ '72 GMC 1/2T 4x4 1500 Super Custom pickup (current) past rides were: '70 Chev 2wd farm truck '71 GMC 2wd 1/2T 402 nice! '72 Chev 2wd 1/2T 396 '72 GMC 3/4T 4x4 2500 Super Custom suburban. Bozeman, Montana

08-10-2002, 12:48 AM	#24
nroden Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 1,098	Facts: -Up until 8 years ago my grandparents (who owned my truck) had a party line with another man about 2 miles away) -I am 16 and remember having a rotary phone at our house -I also remember "pulse" before touch tone -My church and great aunt and uncle (their only phone) still have rotary phones in use. -We have an 8 track player in our living room on our stereo, and one in the shop at school that we use to listen to the radio while we're working (but we listen to 610 AM 61 Country because its what the teacher likes) -Party lines are still availible here -934=WEL for Wellington __________________ Nick Rodenberg 72 Cheyenne 10 V8 350/TH350 white/ochre/white/ochre, ochre/saddle interior Retired and in the dry... still runs. I now drive Red '01 Ford Focus... better MPG!!!

08-10-2002, 01:46 AM	#25
68 Stepside huh? Join Date: May 2000 Location: Washington, Illinois Posts: 5,692	Hey Al...I got my CB from a friend that I used to work with, for 10 bucks and it's in way better shape than the one in that picture. I'll keep my eye out for a black one...I've never seen one in that color. TJ __________________ Someday when I'm lonely, Wishing you weren't so far away, Then I will remember Things we said today. RIP El Jay

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