The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network (https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/index.php)
-   The 1967 - 1972 Chevrolet & GMC Pickups Message Board (https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/forumdisplay.php?f=3)
-   -   Exciting News!! Blast From The Past!!! (https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=584617)

HIGHWAY BY THE SEA 06-13-2013 10:38 PM

Exciting News!! Blast From The Past!!!
 
OK, here is a tale to share! Back in 1967 my paternal grandfather bought a 1968 Chevrolet C10 Stepside Longbed which he used until his death in 1974. The vehicle remained in my family, and my father took it over and had a frame-off restoration done on it. He drove the truck for years (as did I) and about 15 years ago he sold the truck due to financial desperation. This took a terrible toll on me because I was the sole heir to this family truck that even my great grandfather had driven once or twice (yes, my grandfather's father was still alive back then and drove it too!).

So for the better part of two decades I wondered how I could ever locate the truck again, perhaps using an old registration of my father's to find the VIN and present owner. This was in the hopes that I could somehow reclaim the truck to its rightful place in my family by buying it back from the man he sold it to. My father died last year without ever remembering who he sold the truck to, so hope was looking thin for this dream.

Well, just yesterday I went to see my aunt (father's sister) and she presented me with a mysterious small box with my father's name on it that she found in her house somewhere. As I opened the box I immediately recognized the items within as 1968 Chevrolet parts and papers that my father once had for this truck. There were several tail lenses and NOS OEM gaskets for them in there that he had ordered. There were order forms from the company that he had ordered the lenses from. There was even the ORIGINAL owner's manual inside and warranty book with grandfather's name still in it! I was very stunned to see this, but the biggest and best find was yet to come. I found a handwritten note in my father's handwriting giving the name, address, and telephone number of the man he sold the truck to! My aunt had tried 15 years ago (right after the truck sale) to deliver this very forgotten box of parts and papers to the new owner (hence the note from my father with the information) but they were not interested, so she put the box aside and forgot about it.

I immediately called the buyer's number and asked for the buyer by name to the lady who answered. I then found that the buyer had died 4 years ago and this was his widow (a very nice lady). I told her who I was and explained the situation to her about wanting to buy the truck back, so I proved I was real and not a prank caller. It turned out that she had sold the truck to her neighbor who had garaged the truck about 3 years ago. She called this neighbor and explained everything to him, then gave him my number.

Well, he told her he would think about it, so he called me just today, and guess what? He is selling me back the truck!!!! I have been on this seemingly hopeless quest for almost 16 years and now it is coming to an end!! This new owner told that he has turned down numerous people who wanted to buy the truck, but he recently retired and is working twice as hard as before, so he now has no time for the truck and will gladly sell it back to the original family.

What LUCK!! It is as if my father reached out from the grave and helped me get his treasured truck back (that he intended for me to have) with that note that he wrote himself. To make this tale a little stranger, I was at our family estate yesterday and when I looked in an old closet I found a NOS in the box air filter that was bought for this very same truck over 40 years ago by my grandfather. I took this as a sign that the new owner who was contacted would say YES to selling it back to me. It turned out to be true! Now I must come up with the $2000 to buy the truck from him! Just wanted to share this incredible story!

tinsoldier 06-13-2013 10:42 PM

Re: Exciting News!! Blast From The Past!!!
 
Sweet story..Hope the truck is still in the same condition as your father sold it.. Is the truck still located where you live or another state?
Pictures would be great..

HIGHWAY BY THE SEA 06-13-2013 10:45 PM

Re: Exciting News!! Blast From The Past!!!
 
It is three counties away, but not in the same shape from what I understand. No matter, though because I love working on these! And pictures WILL be on the way as soon as I get them!

70cst 06-13-2013 10:51 PM

Re: Exciting News!! Blast From The Past!!!
 
:cong::ennyd:

wgeyer88 06-13-2013 10:52 PM

Re: Exciting News!! Blast From The Past!!!
 
Great story! I've read numerous threads about people trying to locate trucks that belonged to their family, all with little success. I'm glad it worked out so well for you! Getting the truck back to its original condition should make for a fun project.

JHT67 06-13-2013 11:15 PM

Re: Exciting News!! Blast From The Past!!!
 
GO GET THAT TRUCK!!!

And go post in this thread:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=526860

Toxic Orange 06-13-2013 11:48 PM

Re: Exciting News!! Blast From The Past!!!
 
Awesome story... I'm a little choked up reading it. Can't wait to see the pictures!!

HSRACER 06-14-2013 12:31 AM

Re: Exciting News!! Blast From The Past!!!
 
Great story. Hope it is just what you were hoping for.

WIDESIDE72 06-14-2013 12:32 AM

Re: Exciting News!! Blast From The Past!!!
 
Oooh, I don't know...$2k is kinda high... Haha
Posted via Mobile Device

dan42 06-14-2013 12:57 AM

Re: Exciting News!! Blast From The Past!!!
 
Pretty dang cool. Once you get it back don't sell it for anything. I kinda get connected to these vehicles as well; I have only had my '67 for 5 years or so, but I will never sell it. They really do become part of the family, like a dog or something. Can't wait for pix!
Posted via Mobile Device

Daaaanz67 06-14-2013 01:09 AM

Re: Exciting News!! Blast From The Past!!!
 
Congrats hope to see some pictures.
Posted via Mobile Device

jjzepplin 06-14-2013 06:15 AM

Re: Exciting News!! Blast From The Past!!!
 
Good job man! And YES-Pics are def in order!

Sloan66 06-14-2013 06:56 AM

Re: Exciting News!! Blast From The Past!!!
 
Amazing! looking forward to the pics

jmorri34 06-14-2013 08:45 AM

Re: Exciting News!! Blast From The Past!!!
 
Awesome, Congrats man and never let it get out of your hands again itll be a treasured momento!!

bollybib 06-14-2013 09:10 AM

Re: Exciting News!! Blast From The Past!!!
 
Great story thanks for sharing. Can't wait to see pics of the truck.

dmw319 06-14-2013 09:17 AM

Re: Exciting News!! Blast From The Past!!!
 
congrats! that must be a great feeling! :)

Mr Chevorlet 06-14-2013 10:02 AM

Re: Exciting News!! Blast From The Past!!!
 
Congrats, I know how you feel. I have my dads truck that he bought in 1967

MusicMan70 06-14-2013 06:03 PM

Re: Exciting News!! Blast From The Past!!!
 
Great Fortune; may she return safely to you.

1972RedNeck 06-14-2013 08:54 PM

Re: Exciting News!! Blast From The Past!!!
 
:wop:

Already Gone 06-14-2013 09:36 PM

Re: Exciting News!! Blast From The Past!!!
 
Sounds like you getting the truck is something that was meant to be. Anticipating the pictures.
Posted via Mobile Device

Husker 06-14-2013 11:25 PM

Re: Exciting News!! Blast From The Past!!!
 
Hope you get it soon. Goodluck.
Ron

Hard_Rain420 06-15-2013 12:14 AM

Re: Exciting News!! Blast From The Past!!!
 
Very kool story.... Post some pictures of the truck when you get it back, love to see it.

cleanfreak 06-15-2013 12:21 AM

Re: Exciting News!! Blast From The Past!!!
 
gotta step in for some pictures - been chasing my grandfathers 69 gmc sub , ordered and bought new by him- 292w/t400 , I had it and sold it in lean times , wish I had kept it - Good luck

HIGHWAY BY THE SEA 06-16-2013 12:51 PM

Re: Exciting News!! Blast From The Past!!!
 
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps74ef5567.jpg

I dug and dug through thousands of my father's old pictures yesterday and found only two of the truck in its pre-restoration shape. Here is the best one of the two. I could not find even ONE of the hundrds and hundreds he had of the frame-off restoration though. Maybe they will yet turn up. I will ask the present owner if he will send me pictures of its existing state.

chopnchaneled 06-16-2013 04:10 PM

Re: Exciting News!! Blast From The Past!!!
 
Great story, Please keep us posted.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:30 AM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com