The "A True Grease-Monkey" Story

It was an ordinary day. Riding around in a '51 Ford pickup truck. Not just any pickup, but a bright red one with white-walled tires and shiny black running boards. I was visiting with my childhood friend Jerry recently and told him I have to take a few photos and write a story about his truck sometime. Opened the garage door and pulled the truck out and said "Let's go for a ride." Ended the ride on a street behind his house where he pulled the truck to the side of the cul-de-sac and we hopped out. The sky was cloudy, perfect for showing off the rich, bright red paint. Jerry bought the truck from our mutual friend, Ken, on October 5, 1972. Three days later he towed the truck to the farm of another friend of ours, Dean, and cut a hole in the side of his barn to get the truck into the barn. About a month later he removed the engine in order to totally rebuild it. Little at a time, Jerry removed the fenders, running boards, nose piece, cab, door panels and bed. Eventually everything was removed from the frame and Jerry sandblasted the frame at the Strasburg Railroad where he worked part-time. It was time now to start the reconstruction. By 1980 Jerry had totally rebuilt the engine, installed a new truck bed, had the interior professionally re-upholstered and on May 9th of 1980 drove the truck out of the barn and through the neighboring park where he lived. A week later he received his tags and took a drive to Willow Street, PA. Early in July he prepped the truck for the exterior paint and on July 9th his friend Dan painted the truck for him. On July 20th of 1980, Jerry drove his "new" truck to the former owner Ken's house. Ken naturally offered to buy the truck back from him. The truck was complete except for three pieces of chrome and the mirrors. What an accomplishment! And, it looks great. Jerry showed me the book he kept throughout the restoration which tells what he did on what dates. Pretty comprehensive and detailed account of the restoration of the 1951 Ford. He still logs his oil changes and any other repairs he has to make to the truck in his book. Latest entry in the book is from May 11, 2012. Oil change, 10-30 Valvolene; changed the master cylinder. Miles to date on the "new" truck = 249. Not only does it look good, but it is a major accomplishment for anyone. And, when he talks about it you can see how proud he is of what he has done. Heck, I'm proud of him for doing it! And, the ride was great. Thought I'd share the results with you. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Side view of the 1951 Ford 1/2 Ton Pickup Truck.

Interior of the truck showing the headliner, bench seat and sparse dash. Seat belts weren't needed in 1951.

Side of hood ornamentation with the turn signal lamp.

Front wheel-well showing the wide white-wall tires and small Ford hubcap.

Oak bed of the '51 pick-up.

Window sticker showing when he had it last inspected. Notice that it is an Antique & Classic sticker, good for the life of the truck, with some limitations.

Rear of the truck showing the tailgate with Ford logo and Antique plate.

Jerry driving his truck along Clearview Ave. in State College, PA.

Jerry's log book with latest entries in it.

1951 Ford 1/2 Ton Pickup Truck with 1951 PA license plate.