Just an update, although my wife wasn't thrilled with the idea, I went to the auction. I didn't get the truck, there were a lot deeper pockets than mine, and I might add quite a few people willing to pay outrageous money for junk. The truck went for $200, I think it was well worth it but I could tell that the two other guys I was bidding against weren't going to stop bidding until they got it so I left it go. Oh well, there'll be another one down the road-hopefully.

Here is a picture of the truck if you might be wondering.

 

The other thing you can do that I've found to work. Start looking at new trucks and play around with the idea around her that you'd like a new truck. Then when you buy an older truck for MUCH cheaper she won't be as upset .

 

Bob Jones,

This isn't over. You know another truck will come along. So you should be playing up now how disappointed you were to miss out on this last one, but it just wasn't a "good value". Emphasis how disappointed you were at not getting it, but "it just wasn't worth what it was going for". Make her think that you're not a tramp that will go for the first thing that comes along (especially if you are )

Later when something along in better shape but costs a little more, you're "in like Flynn" cause you're a "discearning shopper".

Later,

 

You know what guys? I don’t know if I should feel relieved or scared. After reading all of the replies to my first post it seems we all kind of think the same. My wife thinks I’m a little too crazy about these "“pieces of junk ” , I on the other hand can usually find some value in all but the truly rusted into the ground hulks. Also, all of the ideas to use on my wife for futures purchases are the same things I try to do. Maybe it’s time to seek treatment….ah, maybe not!

 

Bob,

Relax, it's simply a case of:

"Great minds think alike."

 

I am kind of surprised that you let that go for only 200. Trucks like that out here would go for 5 times that. Of course, we don't have any of that reddish brown color stuff on any of ours either. Still can't help but think someone stole that one.
Maybe I'm biased. I have a 53 wrecker.When I first bought it my wife didn't like it but, now I'm about 1/2 way thru it and she can't wait to see it run. I think it grew on her. Now she's got her eye on a piece of land with a shop on it telling me I could quit working for Uncle Sam and get my own shop going.....She's starting to scare me.

 

stepman,

First I have a little business proprosition; why don't you gather all of the hair from your wife's brushes, collect the DNA and clone her. If I wasn't already married to the most wonderful, although not quite the most understanding when it come to old trucks, woman I would be the first in line to get the first model.

Secondly,

Up here in the "Rust Belt" everything old has the brownish tint. Although this truck was in relatively good shape for sitting out in the elements in this area, it had it's problems. The engine turned over by had and looked complete but I didn't know if it would run or if it did, how well. The frame also had the normal separation of the layers and might not have been able to have been fixed. I just figured they don't make them anymore and I would have liked to have gotten it to save as a future project of some sort, either a complete stock restoration or a donor body on a newer chassis. I also didn't want to succumb to "Auction Fever" and end up in a bidding battle that I would regret in the morning. There might be something down the road that is a "must have" and I'll save my battle for that one.

 

We get spoiled out here Bob. When I bought my 53, it was complete....less the rear-end and the drive shaft. Only rust on it was in the bottom of the cab corners. It looks like it had the origonal faded yellow paint on it (UUuUUgLLLY!) I had to part with 7 big ones but, I saw potential in it. Since then, I have found a 53 Holmes 330 hand-crank "wrecker unit" to go on the back. Hopefully by the first of the year, I can have it on the road. ( if the city will leave me alone). I believe that I do have the best wife in the world. She was (or at least acted) upset when I bought it but has been VERY supportive once it started taking shape.I'll have to work on that DNA thing.

 

Exactly what happened to me. Had a nice 67 Mustang that was lovingly restored for her and put in her name. Alas, too much attention paid to car not enough to wife and bye bye Musstang and red headed wife. Her new "man has cootie bobbed the mustang up and can only imagine has had some body work done on her too to the tune of 36 DD's.

I miss that car she was a red headed bee otch. I do miss that car

Oh yeah....even tho we divorced, she's still my cuzin


With memories of wife one

Sad Bubba

 

Bubba

Ya best behave, lest someone takes Ya to the woodshed!

 

Procure it, But be prepaired to sleep w/ the Upstairs Maid for quite a while.

 

Bubba

Besides being married to your cousin, is any of the rest of that story true. You sound a little more like Niolon everyday

 

Hello all!

I believe this is a common problem with all us truck lovers. I wanted a 53 and my wife was upset about the idea....so I sat her down and explained things. First I reminded her about the one she is driving and how we got there. First she wanted a Blazer because she thought a Tahoe was to big for her to drive.........so I bought a Blazer. After about a year..or less...she thought she could use a bigger truck. So I bought her a Tahoe and of course lost my *** on the trade in as I explained I would if she wanted the truck. So I explained the bottom line is I still have $27,000 dollars left after I buy this old truck to spend as I please.

As of this date I have .....
1953 f100
1956 f100
1953 Chevy
1955 Chevy
1970 Chevy
........and just to get my point accross a 2003 Mach 1! Of course this last one was ........lets just say pushing it.......so my other purchases are at friends houses
.........of course cash helps too!

 

Fatfenders

Exactly all the story is true except for the cousin, she was actually my 3rd cousin. She was a looker, the kind all men love to look at and all women hate. And the red head looked good too !
Gratuitous F100 reference to keep this reply legal.

Bubba

 

If that is truly a F8 I would take a close look at the engine.

If an original late 48 thru 51 it should be the truck version of the 331 Lincoln flathead That is a real bear to find parts for. Most 48's had the Ford flathead but were often rebuilt with Merc cranks.

Ive seen a few that had the later 317/341/368 Lincolns swapped in as well as the 302/332 truck version.