When my grandpa died a few years ago, I bought his old truck. I didn’t really need it, but I bought it from grandma because I wanted to keep grandpa’s truck in the family and because grandma needed the money (she was determined to keep on living in their home, which she did until she died two years after grandpa did).
Grandpa loved his old truck. He bought it more than 35 years ago – a 1954 Ford F100, with the original 6 cylinder and a 3 speed on tree. He had it painted bright red about 8 years before he died.
Grandpa was very proud of this truck and took great care of it. He drove it lightly in summer and parked it in a garage every winter. He kept it mainly for hauling aluminum cans to the recycler and garden implements around town.
The truck starts and runs pretty well. It may need a brake job next summer, but I drive it to church on sunny Sunday mornings, thinking of my grandpa and waving to my neighbors and the kids who point at the old truck going down their city street.
The truck has not been restored, and there is nothing fancy about it. It’s a basic pickup that was used by a farmer until grandpa bought it. Most of the parts on the truck are original or have been replaced by original parts when repairs were needed. Grandpa did all of the maintenance and most of the repairs, himself. He drained and replaced fluids often, and was meticulous about belts and hoses. One of the turn indicators is not working (probably a shorted wire), and the interior was painted long before Grandpa bought it. The truck has a bit of rust on the running boards and steel bumpers, but the body still looks pretty good and the frame and box are solid.
While he was alive, Grandpa had a number of offers to buy it, but he would not part with it. While grandma was alive, grandpa didn’t feel too far away. But now that they are both gone, I think I’ll keep grandpa’s old truck around for a while. It’s a great way for me to spend a little time with him each week.
Grandpa loved his old truck. He bought it more than 35 years ago – a 1954 Ford F100, with the original 6 cylinder and a 3 speed on tree. He had it painted bright red about 8 years before he died.
Grandpa was very proud of this truck and took great care of it. He drove it lightly in summer and parked it in a garage every winter. He kept it mainly for hauling aluminum cans to the recycler and garden implements around town.
The truck starts and runs pretty well. It may need a brake job next summer, but I drive it to church on sunny Sunday mornings, thinking of my grandpa and waving to my neighbors and the kids who point at the old truck going down their city street.
The truck has not been restored, and there is nothing fancy about it. It’s a basic pickup that was used by a farmer until grandpa bought it. Most of the parts on the truck are original or have been replaced by original parts when repairs were needed. Grandpa did all of the maintenance and most of the repairs, himself. He drained and replaced fluids often, and was meticulous about belts and hoses. One of the turn indicators is not working (probably a shorted wire), and the interior was painted long before Grandpa bought it. The truck has a bit of rust on the running boards and steel bumpers, but the body still looks pretty good and the frame and box are solid.
While he was alive, Grandpa had a number of offers to buy it, but he would not part with it. While grandma was alive, grandpa didn’t feel too far away. But now that they are both gone, I think I’ll keep grandpa’s old truck around for a while. It’s a great way for me to spend a little time with him each week.
