I just wanted everyone to know that. At least from what I was told. I use my truck nearly every day. I was told that having a truck that's 56 years old is crazy and stupid. Why not just buy a new truck and not have to worry about fixing it myself?

I had an older gentleman walking around my truck a little while back as I was in a gas station paying. I walked out and he asked me if was my truck. When I told him it was he said "I had a truck like this once. I used it on my farm. I would load it down with.........it ran great.........used it for a long time.....

I went to pick up my step-daughter from school one day. When we came out and she saw I had brought the truck she got a huge grin on her face and was so excited. She sat in there so proud as her friends waived and told them all about it the next day.

I can't tell you how many times little kids point to my truck and say something to their parents as I drive by. The get so excited when I honk the horn and wave.

I'm crazy for owning an old truck? I think not.

 

LOL.... I hear ya

I don't drive my truck everyday as I have a company truck that I use to travel around the state in (its grea to have someone else buying my fuel). My wife's daily driver is a 65 Falcon. That little car generates tons of interest. Everytime you stop, gas station, store, whatever you will get a few people telling their story of learning to drive in one just like it, or their mom had one, or I drove one in college, etc. The thumbs up and waves going down the road are fantastic.

When I do drive my truck the kids seem to love it.....maybe because its so many different colors, who knows....LOL

Crazy? you're danged right we're crazy, I wouldn't have it any other way....LOL
Bobby

 

they are just jealous!!!

I get tons of looks/thumbs up when I drive my 45 GPW, I can't wait to drive my F1 for the first time

Josh

 

Havent got to drive mine yet. Still a couple years away. But cant wait to enjoy the attention.I was showing my uncles at Christmas a few pics of my truck. With in seconds they where all talking about the good old days and the trucks they owned in the past. Turns out that the 51-52 style runs in the family. I learned that my grandfather bought one brand new in 51 for the farm. I havnt asked yet but I am hoping there maybe some pics hidden away some place.

 

same experiences all the dain time newbldr . it's great and i absolutely will not drive anything else when it's running . it's still apart right now so ....... every lil' kid irregardless of age loves them . if it makes us crazy then by god im certifiable !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I have always driven old cars, 48 plymouth, 60 Olds, Old IH Scouts, etc…too many to list, There is nothing like an old car with that kind of character. Now my new project is the 49 F1 and I cannot wait to be on the road with it.

In my daily commute to and from work I drive a new gas economical car. I can tell you my experience in my new car compared to the older ones I have driven is totally different. When I get home now I think everyone drives and acts like jerks. When I get home from driving one of the old cars I am in a good mood after all the thumbs ups, nodes, etc… Especially the little kids.

I realized at one point that my driving old cars also changes the experience of the people around me in other cars. If I where not there, they would not have given a thumbs up to anyone on their way home, they wouldn’t have smiled at anyone. Bringing that kind of happiness to those around me brings happiness to me and changes my experience in this world.

 

I have always said anyone who would drag home a rotted piece of junk hoping to restore it back to show room quality is a fool, unfortunately, I have been a fool at least four times. Old trucks are one of the biggest waste of money I can think of, but again, I'm guilty.

As for driving an old truck on a daily basis I don't see anything wrong with it as long as it's safe to drive. I try to drive one of my trucks whenever I can. My kids don't really like to work on the trucks with me but they are the first to suggest we take it. The only exception I see to driving our old trucks is driving our old trucks in traffic that the truck wasn't made to drive in. Driving in a congested urban area is kind of nuts with all of the cars darting around and cutting you off or on the interstate where everyone is doing 70+ and your truck is only capable of doing a top speed of 50. You're posing a danger to you, and the general public, in these types of situation.

Another usage I strongly disagree with is using an larger old truck like a F-4 through F-7 for daily use for hauling heavy loads. I know there are few guys on the board that do it and I'm sure they'll give me heat for it, but in my opinion, I think that's not a real good idea. In their time these trucks were top of the line and could do the job, now they're just a underpowered vehicle that are doing a job that can be done a lot more efficient with a newer truck. The old trucks can't carry the loads a modern truck can. They don't get the same mileage as the newer trucks with diesels do and they don't have the power to carry the loads as fast as the newer trucks have. Also, I would think as a business owner, you would want a vehicle that is easy to get parts for it would break down. Down time costs money.

I bought my F-4 to use in my business but I am only going to use it for short, light deliveries that won't fit in my F-2 or panel. The main purpose is to draw attention to the business. I know it will because of all the attention I get when I drive one of my other trucks down the road.

 

At least when you have the healthy habit of restoring/rodding an old truck you have something to show for all you hard work .What do you have if you smoke ,drink , drugs ,& etc? Nothing but wasted $$$$ ,health problems and a short life .The major concern / problem I have while driving my prized truck in traffic is people not paying attension to the job at hand and while eyeing the truck wandering over in my lane . Makes me so nervous . Had to add my 2 cents on this one .

 

If owning and driving an antique truck makes me look crazy, so be it. Could I afford to own and drive a new one? Sure, but it won't happen in this lifetime
I have never owned a new vehicle because I have never seen one that satisfied me, I can justify building an older one to fit my needs, but can't justify modifying a new one.

 

I spent to many years and way to much money racing cars, as I was younger. If only?

Those days are gone (so is the money) and now I am working to get two (2) trucks together to be daily drivers, one is for me, and one for my wife. Anyway, while I was racing, any number of things could and would go wrong, and you would pour more money into the racer, so you could go out and race again next week.

Yes, I am spending the money to get the trucks together today, and both will be daily drivers. The difference is, that once together, running and the bugs worked out, you can pace yourself on funding the next upgrade to the truck and still drive it and enjoy it.
Besides, each and every day that goes by my trucks are worth MORE than they were yesterday, unlike the new vehicle that you purchase off the lot, which are worth LESS each and every day.

Crazy, only if you say so!!!

 

As Kevin DuBro from Quiet Riot woud say" Mama, Mama we're ALL crazy now"


(Sorry, I just couldnt' resist) Anyway, I do drive mine as much as possible, but I live right next to my shop, and dont drive much. My daily driver is a Yamaha golf cart I drive it back and forth from my shop to my dad's. But I agree with yall, I LOVE all the thumbs up and smiles. It kind of makes this crazy wolrd make sense?

 

Yeah, in the years of racing, we only hit the money once - $1000...wooo-wooo! Cost us a $1500 transmission....

Everybody is a little crazy about something. I'd rather it be my truck, than embroidered doilies...



R
See my bodywork HERE

 

Hi Everyone,
There was a time when I had to drive old stuff and it didn't kill me. it was just a matter of necessity at the time. You know, it was either that or nothing.

It will be sometime before I get my 53 F-100 road ready. When that time comes, I don't plan on cross country trips or everyday driving. Not because it won't be road worthy and capable, but because it just will not be practical. As I am now retired, I don't normally go places every day. I have been known to stay home for a week at a time and when I do go it's usually just a 12 mile round trip. For most of my trips my '05 Taurus is fine. It's comfortable, looks new and is decent on gas if driven right. I have an "03 F-350 dually diesel that is like new and has all the toys on it. I used to like to drive it regularly but with diesel getting to $5.00/gal., I don't drive it unless I need it for it's capabilities. I don't need 8,500 lbs. of truck to go to town for a handfull of items. I do love that truck and I am thankfull I have it for pulling our camper and when I need to move vehicles with my enclosed trailer.

As I am a professed Darksider, I doubt that serviceability in the present times will be an issue with my '53 as I have it planned. I am not really sure what I'll do with it but I know I won't just be running up and down the roads for no good reason. Depending on how it turns out I may hit a few local shows and go to the occasional cruise-in. That alone seems like a silly reason for having it. But for me, there is a lot more to it than that. First and foremost is the pleasure and satisfaction of doing the work. Second is probably owning something unique. When it's done I'll owe no payments and it won't cost much to keep in the garage. As I'm an old geezer, I am sure I will be passing it on to my son who also has a '53 to fix up. I am sure he would appreciate it and keep it. It's as close to a tangable legacy as I will ever come.

All the above said, it seems clear to me there are reasons beyond these trucks being practical vehicles for today's use. It is also clear to me that anyone who can't realize this is just missing the point. As mentioned in previous posts on this thread, it makes for a lot more to show for the expense and effort than does gambling, drinking, wh**emongering and drugs.

Later folks...

 

I drive homade almost every day just to make me feel good, can change your whole attitude just getting behind the wheel. I get as many thumbs up from young people as I do the more aged group, go figure!

 

when i go out with my '49 i usually get asked 'what year is it?" i make them take a guess before i tell them. one person said 1960? it is fun to talk about them and to hear who had what, when. dick r.