Thursday, January 22, 2009

"THE TRUCK"

The above picture was taken in the early 1970s of our bright red 1971 Chevrolet Suburban. Yes, we bought that huge hunk of metal, gas guzzling vehicle brand new in January 1971. We had to wait 6 months after we ordered it for it to arrive from Detroit. We were so excited that when the transport came in we went to the dealership in the dark and watched it being unloaded. Bob said that night that he was never going to sell the beauty! Well, guess what?, we still own that Suburban, fondly known around here as "The Truck".

At the time, we had a two year old, and thought that all of that steel would protect our precious cargo. We strapped him in the middle seat with the lap belt (no shoulder seat belts in those days). When we adopted our daughter at three weeks old, we brought her to her new home in this hunk of steel just in my arms - no baby car seats in those days either. It makes you wonder how everyone survived, but luckily "The Truck" has never been in an accident.


The kids grew up, and they learned to drive "The Truck", which was not an easy chore. There is no power steering, no power brakes, no automatic transmission, and no air conditioning. They loved taking it to school, however, as it would hold a whole bunch of kids to go out to lunch. We never worried too much thinking all that steel would protect them.

"The Truck" was our only vehicle for a number of years, and served as the work truck for our engineering business. It has been on back roads, up and over mountains, through mud, snow and ice; it has been on family vacations, to the grocery store, and to church. It has hauled so many pieces of furniture; wood, etc. from the lumber yard; appliances; and has been known to be a temporary storage room for something that wouldn't fit in the house, garage, or shed at the moment! The back end has a wooden floor big enough for a 5-year old's dance recital. It has been very faithful to us!

Finally, a year ago, Bob decided it was time to reward "The Truck". It had grown rusty, lost its hubcaps, and had oxidized to an orange color. Pretty sad!!



And now, here it is with its new paint job and hubcaps. Isn't it a beauty once again? It still runs like a top and guzzles gas like there is no tomorrow, but we love it.

Happy 38th Birthday, "Truck"!!!

18 comments:

imjacobsmom said...

They sure don't make things like they used too. I used to drive a big Dodge Ram 3/4 ton pick-up when Jacob was a baby. The thing felt like a sherman tank! Your suburban looks like a beauty! ~ Robyn

Sue said...

Love Bob's truck, my husband was even impressed that it's from 1971.

SmilingSally said...

It looks so pretty and happy.

Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer said...

They don't make them like that anymore! I think it is great you have restored it!

Susie Q said...

I think "Truck" is beautiful! He does need a name though...Okay. So I am one of those odd people who always names their vehicles. : )

Loved ths post!

Love,
Sue

Southern Lady said...

I love "the truck," Sally ... and all the sweet memories it has shared with your family. I hope it gives you many more years of happy and safe driving.

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh, "the truck" looks just gorgeous - what a beauty!

Manuela

Anonymous said...

It looks great!
J regrets everyday, he sold the 78 chevy silverado, he ordered from Detroit. He drove that good and faithful truck 21 years. It was the one and only truck. He bought his new truck in 1999 and kept "old black" for another year before selling it. Everytime he sees a truck similar to that one, he wishes he had his back. He's still driving the "new truck" after 10 years. A good and faithful truck, but still not the same as "old black". Your truck is amazing!
btw...our stock truck, at the farm was a 1956 chevy, still running like a top, when we sold it at the time of the farm selling. We also had a 52 chevy pickup, he decided to sell at the same time. Quality vehicles all!

The Raggedy Girl said...

Oh my heart. What a lovely sharing. The really don't make them like that anymore. We have hung on to a 1959 Ford truck for a long time and would love to give it a nice new paint job. The Truck looks great!
Roberta anne

onlymehere said...

You need to link Chevy to this post!! What a wonderful advertising tool. We had our first car a Nissan 310 for 21 years. That car was such a good little car. Sadly we had to sell it when our kids were teenagers and starting to drive. We actually traded it in on a new car that hasn't lasted nearly as well (lots of repairs). We once in awhile see it driving around town with a young teenager girl in it and I think, DANG we should have put the $600.00 into it and kept it for our kids! I brought my kids home in that little car to so it held a special place in my heart. Happy birthday truck!!

Marilyn in NM said...

What a great suburban! It looks brand new. We had a 1975 Ford pickup that I thought looked like "baby poop" green. DH refused to get rid of it and finally we traded our tree trimming for the truck. It was a great trade. My cottonwoods look much better and that old hunk of metal is gone. But it's true, they don't make 'em like they used to.

Marilyn from rainy NW New Mexico (don't know what happened to the snow)

Lisa (aka) French said...

Ohh she's a beauty;) I love old trucks and they sure don't make them the way they used to that's for sure;) French

Anonymous said...

Oh, Sally, I love your truck! It looks so gorgeous in the new paint job! Wow! Cars or trucks today are not made this good, are they? I think your family is attached! lol
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Wow! That looks great. Hard to believe it's that old. laurie

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Happy Birthday to "the truck" .. this was just as cute as it can be.. have a super w/k.

hugs ~lynne~

nikkicrumpet said...

WHOA amazing that after all these years it's still giving you great service. It definitely deserves to be beautiful again!!!

Anonymous said...

Wow, I LOVE your burb! The new paint looks awesome. I've been driving a 'burb for the past ten years and plan to never give her up, it's such a pleasure to drive and everyone and everything fits. Great for roadtrips and it holds more than 30 standard-sized filing boxes, filled with treasures from the many flea markets and antique malls we visit.

hugs,

Victoria :o)

Laurie - Decorating Fanatic said...

Oh I love "The Truck" Sally! How neat that you are still the original owners and it has held so many memories for you. Yes, the old girl (?) really needed to be rewarded! ~ Laurie