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| This
section is dedicated to my older brother Jim who
has helped beyond all expectations to initially
get the old truck up and road worthy and now keeps
her running. Jim is an ASE-Certified Triple Master
Mechanic - one of the very first in the country
to achieve that status! Jim is also Certified
as a World-Class Technician by the Automotive
Service Industry Association (ASIA). In fact,
in 1991, he was one of 1,194 out of 505,000 to
achieve that status which earned him a position
on the Roll of Honor at the Automotive Hall of
Fame in Midland, Michigan. He is an incredibly,
talented person who takes good ol' fashioned Italian
pride in his craft. That's him standing next to
his 64 Chevy SS which he rebuilt (it's for sale!
Email him: JCBearfield@hotmail.com).
Thanks Jim!! |
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I
bought the truck from my hunka (hoon'-ka)* brother
Clay Campbell, Montrose, Colorado (originally
from Lexington, MA). Here he is behind the wheel
in his backyard where the truck sat for about
10 years before being shipped back to Carlisle,
MA in October 2004.
*It's
a Lakota Sioux word meaning "relative by
choice"
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| Clay
and his late-brother Bruce were the second owners
of the truck. An old Colorado farmer was the original
owner. And I can attest to the fact that the truck
came from a farm … the layers and layers
of Colorado red clay underneath had to be chiseled
off! Having the side-wheel mount was another farmer-friendly
feature because a spare mounted under the bed
would get caked in mud from field work. |
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| When
the truck arrived in October 2004, it immediately
went into my brother Jim's garage where it was
home for the next six months. Because my goal
has been to resurrect the truck for use as a daily
driver vs. an authentic restoration, I've tried
to update the truck for drivability while keeping
it's original charm. It needed quite a bit of
work including a new windshield and replacement
for the busted out side window glass. One of the
first tasks was a complete rewire - front to back
including the interior and instrument panel complete
with multiple new fuse boxes. The old ball style
wheel bearings have been replaced by roller bearings.
Both kingpins have been replaced as well as the
rear pinion bearings and seal - both nasty, nasty
jobs!
My
Dad has been a regular 'supervisor' on the project.
He's a retired Master Mechanic who cut his teeth
on cars and trucks like this. There's been lots
of "I haven't seen one of those in years…"
and "This is how we used to do that…"
Above all else, it's been terrific for Dad and
sons to hang out and share a common bond.
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| The
235 straight six leaves enough room under the
hood to have an authorized Party Central get together!
The truck came with a rebuilt 1959 engine. It's
been updated with a new HEI electronic ignition,
new pushrods, rebuilt carburetor, rebuilt starter,
rebuilt alternator, new oil filter assembly, new
battery box, new windshield washer system (an
option back then), a new radiator overflow tank,
rebuilt master cylinder, and much, much more!
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This
Old Truck meets This Old House
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| Our
store truck looks quite at home outside of the
"Carlisle Project" - the year-long This
Old House renovation in our town done by Norm,
Tom, Richard, Roger, Kevin and the team. (read
more here). Ferns Country Store is proud to be
an Official Production Catering Company for This
Old House and Ask This Old House! |
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The
proud smile on my face is surpassed only when
I'm showing off my Grandson Joshua!
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Tom
Silva takes "This Old Truck" for a
spin...
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| My
friend Al Ginnet, who I knew from our childhood
neighborhood and now lives a good stones throw
from the store, crafted the fabulous wood rails
that we designed. Al is the proprietor of Finish
Line Woodworking and does incredibly, superb finish
work. In fact, Al and his crew worked on the September
2005 TV Show Extreme Home Makeover Project in
Medfield, Massachusetts!
Body
work, paint and a new wood bed are future projects…
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Work
Hahd.
Play Hahda.
Life
is indeed good when cruisin down the road in
the old stovebolt!
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 The
interior has been completely redone right down
to added insulation and sound deadener installed
under the carpeting. |
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| Although
the dash and instruments look mostly stock, I've
added a new electric wiper motor, new heater switch,
turn signals (an option back then!) and no longer
have a need for the old choke & throttle switches.
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 Of
course, the all-important coffee cup holder, which
was not an option back then and fuzzy dice were
necessary features I had to have! |
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| The
custom tweed and vinyl leather upholstery job
has classic lines that mimic the Chevy chevron.
I designed front pockets along the front of the
seat for much-needed storage. |
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The
blue glass dots in the lights add a classic, nostalgic
touch. FernsCountryStore.com is proudly
displayed and the new bumper (an option back then)
adds a finishing touch to the rear end.
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 Sporting
the store logo on the doors, the truck has become
a recognized, moving landmark eliciting many friendly
waves and horn beeps! |
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If
you're interested in old Chevy trucks go here:
http://www.Stovebolt.com
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