Looking for my Dad's truck My dads 1978 Chevrolet Pickup Ontario

[Shugalou]

First of all I have to say what a great site this is, I just found it today and have been spending hours looking through the photo archives seeing if I can find my dad's truck...no luck yet. My Dad sold his truck to a friend and I'm hoping that maybe he's on this site or someone may know the where abouts of the truck.

I know this is a long shot but I figured I'd try on this site since it seems filled with enthusiasts

8 years ago around this time my Dad sold his truck before he entered the hospital and sadly my father passed away in the hospital. My dad invested a lot of health and money into the truck and I'd like to track it down to hold onto a peice of our past together.

I helped my dad rebuild the truck (including scratching the freshly painted passenger side door while installing new mirrors)

Details about the truck.
1978 Chevrolet C/K Pickup 1500 Pickup Truck (Pretty sure this was the model)
rebuilt 454
air bag suspension
edelbrock intake
custom headers made
Hunter green - pinstripe down the side
raised up on mud style tires
dual gas tanks
Truck was sold in King City/Aurora, Ontario

The only picture I have of the truck is with my dad and uncle and it doesn't really show the truck well but you can see the mirrors, the camper wasn't on the truck when he sold it. I've attached another picture for reference.

I realize this is a long shot without the VIN but any info is much appreciated.

I've had some people respond telling me that I could look up an old insurance slip...unfortunately I don't have any of this info. After my dad passed my step mom (against my wishes) gave away, sold or tossed everything so I didn't have a chance to get anything.

If you have any info please email me at shugalou@hotmail.com


Thanks for looking

[86swb]

Do not see much there. Welcome to the board. Good luck finding your dad's truck.

[Shugalou]

Thanks for the welcome, it appears to be a very friendly board.

Yeah I wish I had more pictures of the truck, my dad had all of the pictures and reciepts of the build I didn't get a chance to get any of it...he sold it without talking to me about it - he knew he wasn't coming out of the hospital.

I'm hoping maybe someone recognizes the story of the truck and knows my old man this appears to be the resource for these old beauties.

[gchemist]

Welcome to the board. A 454 in 78 would more like be found in a heavy duty truck. The camp size would be way too heavy for a 1/2 ton. It's probably a 3/4 ton truck.

[Shugalou]

That's great info chemist thanks. Glad that camper in the image helped.

Small story about the camper my old man got it for free off a friend because it had rolled over and had sewage all over inside it. My dad cleaned it and fixed right back to new condition and used it as a spare room in the summer.

[Wazup]

Good Luck on finding the Truck and Welcome to the Board ...

[79 silverado]

There are things we can do that will help you narrow down slightly what the truck was...

When you were working on it, do you remember how many lug nuts were on each wheel?

Anything else you can think of, some may be even more helpful if he owned it since new or almost new... such as did the plastic trim inside have woodgrain on it or was it silver or was it black... you know, around the gauges and in the dash over the glovebox, on the door panels...

If we know what the options and the appearance were we might help narrow down a model better for you.

[zirk]

best of luck on finding it, sure would be awesome to have something like that

[scabby9]

Did you check with motor registration? If you knew your father's driving licence number, it might tell you previous vehicles. I know in ontario you keep your plates (well sell the plates with the vehicle here), but there might be a vin connected to the plates. Check an old insurance paper for a vin. Just a thought.

[notallthere]

Do you know the VIN?

If you do go to the MTO and get a sellers package for the truck it will show where it was registered at. Just tell them you are looking at buying a truck and what to make sure there is no lean on it.

[THE "10" SILVERADO]

Really hope you have luck finding it. My dad had an 87 that he sold a while back. Wish I could find that truck as well. I'd REALLY love to find his original 73 that he wrecked in a front end collision and sold off to some guy as a parts truck. It was from my great-cousin's (I believe) chevy dealership so it had a "Ritchie Chevrolet" emblem on it (that's my last name). I'd love to find that truck as well. Good luck!

[misternash2]

maybe talk to his old insurance company. they may still have records to get a VIN. best of luck, buddy.

[gchemist]

Post on Cragslist!! It's free!! If it's in town, someone has probably seen it.

[motornut]

Hi and welcome
if it was registered in the last 15 years
stayed in Ont
$20. and the vin # ,and a trip to MTO, get a used package

[Shugalou]

Guys thanks for all the comments.

Unfortunately I don't have any paperwork on the vehicle - no insurance slips no drivers liscense numbers or anything. I may see if my mom has anything but they have been divorced for 30 years so it's unlikely.

As for working on the truck...I can't remember the number of bolts on the wheels...only that they were big mud tires.

The trim was silver - pretty sure. He had a nice new emblem on the tow hitch that somehow got a spot were the paint was chipped off (I remember him being pissed when I pointed it out)

He didn't own it since new that's for sure. He bought it maybe 11-12 years back and I want to say it was originally from california.

He did a really good job wiring it up under the hood...I remember he was proud to tell me the reaction of his friend that he sold it to when asked who did the wiring.

The interior plastic peices were blue and he painted them black but the paint started to peel off.

If I can remeber anything else I'll post it.

[mrolds88]

I agree. I would go to the insurance agent and explain the situation. See what info you can get. (Take the picture with you.) Then Wether that works or not stop in to the motor vehicles and try your luck there. Maybe (witha bit of sympathy) you can make some progress. Keep us posted!! Craigslist is a gooidea too.

[Shugalou]

Ok a bit of an update I spoke with my mom about finding the truck and she remembered a good friend of his name and says she thinks he sold it to him

I checked the name and location via a reverse lookup then google mapped it and saw this photo which is a very strong possibility. Same colour and size seems comparable based on the trucks beside it

I am going to the location now before I call

Best thing is its only 20 minutes away

Ill keep you guys posted
Posted via Mobile Device
Posted via Mobile Device

[scabby9]

Let's hope he still has it, I think due to privacy laws, google pictures have to be a year or 2 old. Hopefully that's the one!!! Good luck man.

[jitteryguy]

Originally Posted by scabby9

Let's hope he still has it, I think due to privacy laws, google pictures have to be a year or 2 old. Hopefully that's the one!!! Good luck man.

the Google picture of my house is about a year old.

Shualou, good luck find'n it. it will be cool if you get it back.

[Shugalou]

Ok got back from my drive and no luck
I was peaking into shop windows with my flashlight waiting for someone to come out of no where questioning me.

I did see a truck inside the shop but it wasn't my dads

Ill try the number tomorrow and see what I can find

I did get a feeling of being really close so well see
We're it leads

The search continues
Posted via Mobile Device

[motornut]

Originally Posted by Shugalou

Ok a bit of an update I spoke with my mom about finding the truck and she remembered a good friend of his name and says she thinks he sold it to him

I checked the name and location via a reverse lookup then google mapped it and saw this photo which is a very strong possibility. Same colour and size seems comparable based on the trucks beside it

I am going to the location now before I call

Best thing is its only 20 minutes away

Ill keep you guys posted
Posted via Mobile Device
Posted via Mobile Device

Bonus!

[JCampbell]

Interesting. Good luck.

[rollin thunder]

Welcome and I hope you find the truck. I wouldn't stop looking if my fathers and mine project was gone. Nice lead with the friend. i was a going to suggest finding the friend he sold it to then if his friend doesnt have it find who he sold it to or an idea and so forth... long shots i know. If you find the truck be sure to bring it back on the forums with you!

[Bloodhound]

Do you have any friends in law enforcement? Not sure how it works in Canada but it would take me about 5 minutes to track down the last owner in the states.

[Ski-me]

Originally Posted by Bloodhound

Do you have any friends in law enforcement? Not sure how it works in Canada but it would take me about 5 minutes to track down the last owner in the states.

I went for the same hunt and ultimately, found my old truck!

I knew it was in the Seattle area but never could find it.....but I did have my VIN. I asked a fellow friend (state patrol) if he could look it up. Within a few minutes, I had a name and number. I called him up and he said it was just sold last month to a guy who chopped it all up.

I signed it off.

Months later, while scanning craigslist, I found it! Called the guy up and bought it sight unseen! Flew to Seattle and drove it back (250k on truck).

Keep looking, it could be a marathon!!

Here's my story:
http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=188419