Day One for Truck Two

We started the day with Barb taking me to pick up the newest addition to our automotive fleet. She has been fully supportive of getting an old pickup truck but had only seen photos of the new ride which she immediately proclaimed the Official Truck of the Bittersweet Garden Club.

I used the truck for some errands this morning before meeting George for lunch and a quick ride in Minty Fresh (we were unable to come up with a gayer name). George observed I was dressed the part for a beat up old pickup and there would be no need to add some Carhartt gear to my wardrobe.

Next it was a half hour at the Department of Motor Vehicles where I got a set of historic plates for the truck, followed by a safety inspection. A few (relatively) minor things need fixing before we do much driving (not that we’ll be doing much) but she has 40 years of wear and tear, some of which will get fixed, most will simply add character. I did use up a roll of Gorilla Tape on the seat which will have to be replaced or repaired eventually.

It was fun banging around in the truck but it will — for me — always have back-up status. Used for chores that would otherwise fall to Barb’s Lexus or my Land Rover. I was missing the Rover by the end of the day.

Old Pickup Trucks

The MINI is gone and I’m fully committed to making The Truck my daily driver. But the day will come when the Land Rover is out of commission for a few days (longer?) and Barb has made it clear I won’t be borrowing her Lexus. So I’ve been thinking about a back up ride. Something that will get me to the coffee shop and the catfish place and back. The more beat up looking the better. Would love to find something like one of these (with the exception of the last truck).

Turns out these are difficult to find because everyone wants one. And if you do find one, it ain’t cheap.

Patina

Something about a rusted, beat up old pickup truck really speaks to me. I think I’d trade the MINI for this, straight up. And “derilict restoration” is a thing.

Spotted this beauty today in Springfield, MO. That is art on wheels. I could buy an old truck like this but no amount of money could buy the memories that go with the rust and the dents. The difference between buying a “distressed” motorcycle jacket on Rodeo Drive and wearing one for 20 years in a outlaw biker gang.

But that’s the romantic in me. If I could talk to the guy that owns that truck he’d probably say something like, “Fuck yeah, I’ll sell it. Don’t mean nothin’ to me but 20 years of shitty minimum wage jobs.”

1974 Chevy Pickup

Spotted this beauty outside our local AutoZone. 1974 Chevy. The owner spent two years restoring it (NOT factory). Says he’s had offers but would never sell it. Appraised at $22,500 which seems laughable to me but I’m told restorations are never valued at what it cost to get them there. He added a second fuel tank (“she really gobbles gas”).