Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - Show Me Your "Costume Jewelry"

We Orphan Owners, have generally not yet reached the stage where our trucks have become icons/trophies, unlike certain other segments of the classic Ford truck era, who shall remain nameless. O.K., they won't remain nameless, they are the 53-56 guys.Or, at least, some of them.But I do see that trend creeping towards the Fridge group, and will do my utmost to fend off the Hideous Beast.I consider this my little contribution to man-kind.Still, if you want want a foul taste of the Apocalypse that's fast approaching our little cloistered community, just check in over at the Facebook 57-60 group.Poor, misguided souls...That group IS a nice source for networking on locating trucks/parts, though, and they are to be commended for that.

"What are all you guys doing for...(fill in the blank)"? seems to be the copy-cat catch-phrase of the Custom Fat-Fendeerd crowd, while our trucks remain, largely, workhorses and daily-driven trucks.And that's as it should be.The Fridge, without the desirable, swoopy, round lines of the mid 20th Century, but having roomier interiors, more powerful engines, larger beds, and greater capacities, remains a giant step forward from its' immediate predecessor.Assuming you want to have a real truck, and not a seldom-used piece of artwork.This much is undeniable.

So, what makes anyone think that sticking an old truck body on a newer frame, installing a tilt steering wheel/5-way adjustable seats/electric windows/electronic gauge package/leather-tufted interior/ makes for an improved classic truck?Let's don't forget some gaudy wheels to go with our modern suspension/braking "Package"! I submit that such vehicles have exited the truck category altogether.

Consider this familiar scenario.At your local car show, the proud owner of a heavily-customized, candy coated-looking, VERY expensive truck sits in his lawn-chair, with a nervous look on his face, too afraid to leave its' vicinity.This baby was trailered-in, on the owners new 45,000 dollar, "XXXXX" 1-Ton w/enclosed car-hauler. He shoots darting glances towards anyone coming with-in 5 feet of his truck, especially children.There is a barricade to keep others away from his pride-and-joy.Plastered on every window are "Look But Don't Touch" placards, while lined up in front of the truck, beside the owner, are an assortment of car show awards,(trophies, plaques, certificates). A fancy Build Detail Board lists the thousands of dollars spent, and which prestigious businesses performed the work.There is factory literature, perhaps an article/photo-spread from some magazine.A large mirror does allow a glance at a pristine under-carriage that has never experienced a pothole, or even rain. People walk by, smiling politely, though not spending much time.There are just too many similarly done-up vehicles to take in.Probably sooner, rather than later,this vehicles' owner will become bored with his creation, and sell it to fund the building of a yet more costly piece of Garage Art.

Meanwhile, just next-door, is a very simple,nearly all stock classic truck.Driven to the show by the owner, it's definitely not a concourse restoration - in fact, it's evident that the owner did most of the less-than- perfect work himself.Nevertheless, there's a small crowd gathered.The proud owner happily answers every question, and just plain enjoys the B.S.'ing and attention.There are finger prints on the glass and paint from his kids hands, one of which is in the bed, walking all over the weathered wooden floor boards with their peeling layers of varnish.With no hint of a barricade, attendees of the show are allowed, even encouraged, to open the trucks' doors and hood to have a peek at what's inside.The truck is elegant in its simplicity,emblematic of the era in which it was built.Perfect.It is a truck.

Can you really call any kit-car "Genuine", the real deal?We know the answer is emphatically "NO".Can anyone, in all honesty, claim that any of these "Cutomized-Out-Of-Existence" vehicles are Classic trucks? You can write a bigger check than I can - Big Freaking Deal.Everyone can appreciate the skills that transforms a rusty shell into a shiny work of art, but that's not the point.

The point IS - to me anyway - why do you drive an old truck? I want to drive my truck every day and in every way.I like that it evokes an image of an era that no longer exists.But also, and most importantly, I want the feeling of that time in which my truck was built.It's a memory, a pleasant reminiscence, a quiet smile in my mind. A perfectly baked, home-made, chocolate-chip cookie can almost give me a similar feeling.I'll never get that feeling from the above described Custom, nor from an Oreo cookie.They're all-right, but they're just not the real deal, any more than a Shelby GT kit-car is the equivalent of the genuine article.

Do what YOU want, it's your vehicle.The "Old Truck Hobby" is a BIG TENT, after all.Its just that I prefer my tent to be made of waxed cotton canvass, not nylon or Gortex.There is, as they say, no accounting for taste.But please, when your obsession reaches this level, fess-up and admit that it is no longer a truck.We real truck-owners reserve the right to rub your noses in it, or tweak you every now and then.And, as you must know, we WILL tweak you. Are you somehow surprised that we would dare to point out your foibles? "But I've spent lots of time and money", you may say.Big Whoop! It's O.K, relax, we all have our blind-spots.If you were to give me your truck, I'd simply sell it and buy 4 or 5 nicely-kept real trucks.So, in conclusion, consider yourselves tweaked.Now, go clean that crap off your noses....

Bored in Paradise,

Steve