Description
Old Blue starts on the button, and is my daily drive. When I bought him, he required a fair amount of work, that was professionally undertaken by an expert old school mechanic who mainly deals with old classics. Indeed, he has appeared on TV, assisting the presenters to get their old classics back on the road.
What you see, is what you get. Old Blue is straight and solid throughout, and has only been touched or updated when the time was necessary. It has been my quest to keep him as original as I can. The only modifications are the introduction of three new gauges, professionally inserted into the dash, and a DAB/ CD/ Handsfree kit and retro speakers all hidden away in the glove box.
Yes there is some surface patina, and whilst in my care, it will stay that way. Also one of the rear windows has a crack.
Now, if you are still with me, this is where Old Blue stands out of the crowd.
If you check out Barn Finds USA on the web and pop Old Blue into the search you will find the following:
My father, like all the men in our family, did all his own car repairs. So, I grew up helping him, and then took Auto Shop two summers at Sac High. Old Blue was my final exam. The Motor Manual was my Bible. I started by stripping it down to the frame in the garage. My father took me to junk yards to buy a replacement straight six engine (’51) and transmission, among other parts. I had the replacement engine rebored at a shop in Oak Park. When there was no alternative, I bought new parts. But all these costs came from my paper route and odd job earnings. I also rewired the truck, transforming it from a 6 volt to a 12-volt system. I got all the rust off the frame and body, painted a primer coat, and then paid $100 to have it sprayed blue. I also paid to have the seats and interior upholstered in some brown Naugahyde.
The story now continues in the history and paperwork section. Old Blue is as you see him in the photos. Its hard to believe that this truck was built in 1948, solid and sound throughout! Yes the paintwork could be better, but why would you want to paint over years of history? Old Blue has five new tyres. As mentioned earlier there is one cracked rear window. There is no headlining, no floor covering, the bench seat is in good condition and surprisingly comfortable. No seat belts are fitted. By Spring 1970, after hundreds of hours of work, hundreds of hard-earned dollars spent, perpetually scraped knuckles and lots of swearing and sweating, Old Blue was aAt that point, my father’s ulterior motive became clear. Whenever he needed the truck, it was his. When he didn’t, I could fill the tank back up and drive it until he needed it again. My father and I used it constantly in the 70s to haul sand, cement, lumber, manure, and everything else needed to renovate old houses and supply his garden. He built a plywood shell for it, and we took it camping and fishing in the Sierra. It was my only ride, and when I took dates to the drive in, we’d set up lawn chairs in the truck’s bed — which I slept on during several road trips. Old Blue carried my rock band’s instruments and amps to the Shire Road Pub and other gigs when I was in college, often with band members in the back, as well. In 1975, I moved to Boston for grad school, and gave my father title to Old Blue. I enjoyed driving it whenever I visited Sacramento. , and my father continued using Old Blue regularly to haul things into his 80s. People tried to buy the truck from him all the time, but even after he got too old to drive it, my father wouldn’t sell at any price. I couldn’t put a price on Old Blue either. So, after my father’s death in 2014, I decided to donate Old Blue to the California Auto Museum. I’m 61 now, Old Blue is 67. I’m hoping someone will again restore him, put him back to work, and enjoy him as much as I did. Good luck! Tom Angelo
And so that someone was me, could it be you?
All paperwork is in order, together with receipts for all the work that has been undertaken whilst in my care.
This is a reluctant sale, I need some capital for my next investment, but please no offers, you are looking at a great running and reliable truck with an amazing story. Thanks for reading. As far as I am aware there has never been any major failures or structural issues, nor has Old Blue been involved in an accident.
Engine starts on the button and is currently running like a dream, sounding awesome.
