Hello everyone,
I would like to start this off with a bit of history about my ’53 M100. It was my fathers, who was the second owner, and that was in ’70. When I was old enough, Dad taught me to drive it and would let me use it to take my girl out once in awhile. SHE hated that old truck by the way. In ’81 dad said I could have the truck, I just had to get it running, but I couldn’t, and I couldn’t afford to do anything with it at all. I was just married, a different woman, and starting a new career. So I ended up selling it, cheaply (it was after all JUST and old truck). I always regretted selling it too. The person I sold it to, ended up selling it to my cousin, but before he could start work on it, he was diagnosed with cancer. After a fairly lengthy battle he succumbed to the disease. A year or two later my uncle called me, and asked if I wanted the truck back. Yeah! I just had to get it and bring it home. Well the procrastinator in me took over, and it has been sitting at my uncle all these years just waiting. A few months ago, my mother called and wanted to know if I would sell “that junky old truck”. I sad no, and the wheels started turning again. It needs a front suspension for sure, as the original was missing, and during my research I came across the Crown Vic IFS swap. The spinning wheels sped up. I started thinking of getting a whole car for a parts car. Talking to some friends, I was told to check out the government auction site. I did, and there were two Crown Victoria PIs for sale. My wife said I should throw in a low bit and see what happens. I bid $825 on a 2009 CV, and ended up getting it. It is just over on the mainland. Now I have to go out to Saskatchewan and pick up the truck. That is going to be this summer. Right now I am looking for a place to work on the truck, or build a big enough shop. I plan on using as much of the CV as possible, besides the IFS, I’m thinking of using the rear end, wiring and seats.
In 14 months I will retire from my 25-year Navy career, and plan to work only part-time to fund the truck’s rebuild. I have learned quite a bit just reading through the different threads on this forum, and look forward to learning even more. I welcome any and all comments and critiques as I go forward on this journey. I've started thinking of taking a part time auto restoration class to help with the body restoration.
I did see it a couple of years ago, and I knew it was rough (basket case??). You can still see my dad’s name on the doors, it is faded but still readable. Thank you for listening to me babble on about, as my mother says “a stupid old truck”. I will be lurking around, putting my 2 cent in every so often. When I have the truck out here, and start progressing on the build I will be starting a build thread, and updating everyone on my progress. Thanks for listening and Merry Christmas everyone!

 

Welcome to FTE from a fellow BC'er. Sounds to me like you have quite the project on your hands. Should be a lot of fun and work.

Where abouts in BC do you call home? If you find some time stop into the BC chapter and say hello.

 

I live just north of Victoria, on Shawnigan Lake. Yes, I know I have quite the project, and it will be a huge challenge, but I think if I take it one step at a time, completing the small jobs, it will all come together. Where is the BC chapter? I'm assuming it is Vancouver.

 

The BC Chapter is basically one of the many forums here. Each State/Province has their own little section.