The Good Grandson, David Hill

Some of us met David's grandpa when we did the chop on the 68 Ford. Old gent that is really into hot rods. I take it he's never had one but walked around up here with a huge smile on his face. Talked and ask about everything. You could tell he was really into it. Another thing that struck me was how people related to him. He is one of the only few people I have ever met that within the first few minutes you speak to him you like him. Anyway David told me he wanted to do something cool for his grandpa. He was wanting to get him a 47 to 54 Chevy truck. His grandpa knows nothing about this. He was going to get the family together and give him the truck as a gift. Not anything perfect but something he can drive and tinker with as he drives it. Today we spent the day south of Lexington, Kentucky trying to make a grown man very happy.

9 a.m. Randy Turner showed up here and David pulled up soon after. David, Aryan Randy & I started out to get a truck.
We teased Randy about not being able to see out of his car. He told us he can see just fine.

We made it down into Ky and hit the back roads on the way to find a truck David found online. Guy wanted $7500.00 for it. 250 6 banger with a Nova rear end. We drove it up the road came back and tinkered with the carb, looked it over really good again and took a second drive.

A deal was worked out for an even $7000.00 and we THOUGHT we had what grandpa needed. BUT!!!!! We checked the VIN against the title and guess what? It wasn't even close. The truck was not in the guys name. He beat around the bush when trying to figure out who's truck it was. No other VIN was stuck anyplace else on the truck. He acted like he had no idea but who knows. It was a hole in the wall shop and the guy told me he had moved 2 times during my conversation with him. If we wouldn't have checked the VIN David would have been screwed. The guy was at a loss, later saying he had a rat rod buddy who could make a VIN. Too many strange things and we walked on the deal.

Less than 2 miles down the road and we find another one sitting in a yard. We stopped and I knocked on the door. I ask if he would sell it and the magic number for that area must have been $7000.00 but he said he needed cash so he'd take $4500.00 for it.

The battery was all the way dead. It wouldn't do anything. We hooked the Poncho to it and started to charge it. I turned it over a couple times and the Pontiac quit! The Poncho was DEAD! Randy grabbed the battery pack out of the back and it started. I think the guy put the battery cables on the truck backwards is the only thing I can think of. I thought for sure we fried the wiring in the Poncho but it started back after we use the pack.

I would have bet money this truck wouldn't start but I would have lost. It started and sounded great. David and I jumped in and up the road we went. One brake it the front was grabbing so it almost put us into the ditch a few times but we were having a blast and cracking up.

David wasn't sure about the deal so we went and got something to eat and think it over. We returned and David drove it this time to see what he thought. We made it back and a deal was done. $4500.00 for the truck with the new and used but better parts he had for the truck. Grille, hood, some handles and more. When do you want it towed? NOW... lol The guy tells us we have to follow him to get the parts for the truck so we load up and head to another house. Done Deal Right???

We pull up and the guys says "You know what? I think the title for the truck is in a safety deposit box at the bank". You guessed it the banks are closed! He goes and looks and then says well I could send it to you???

We told the guy to get the title and give David a call. With all the crap I think David was just fed up. I'm not sure if he's wanting to mess with it now or not. Yet to be seen if the grey one will be the one but one thing is for sure.

He is looking for a truck so if anyone has anything let one of us know.

Honestly, I'm kinda glad it didn't work out on either one.  $4500 for that grey truck is far too much and $7k for the orange one is RIDICULOUS.  Money could be spent much better elsewhere.  Let both those crooked briars piss up a rope and find a really decent truck for that kind of money.  They aren't that hard to find!  I will keep my ear to the ground for a good one...

He must be a great guy,I'll be looking around down here.

One thing lead to another and for better or worse the grey one is here.

Benny it would have been cheaper to build something but I don't think David was up to it. He wanted something running or almost there to give to his Grandpa. I would have loved to build him something here but I think David gets sticker shock. lol

David is in his early 20's and still trying to figure all this out. This will be his 2nd true build. After this one I can see him buying an older car for himself.

There are times when I look at that back bumper and cringe, then other times it matches the truck. What do you guys think?

Not a bad looking truck,But that rear bumper would have to go.I 'd put one on like the front one.... my 2 cents

I like beefy bumprs, but that ones needs to go, at least the side panels.

The bobcat has a flat tire


What are the plans, complete restore or just fix as he goes?

Everything around here has flat tires. lol

1/19/15 David had Bill Russell grab a completely redone frame from our very own Bill Ryan. The frame has been blasted and POR15 was put on. Engine, trans, rear end all cleaned up and painted. All new lines, shocks bushing and more. David lucked out on this set up already done. I'd tell you what he give for it but it's not for me to say but I will say that being a club member has it's perks.

Drop off on the Hill.