A proud day

[TonyL]

Over 25 years ago my dad parked the vehicle that taught me the love for speed, racing and the sound of a cackling V8; his yellow 57 chevy truck. I remember sitting in the seat next to my dad in awe of how it sounded with it's huge cam rumping so hard the truck lurched forward as if trying to break free at every stop light. The way it smelled, and how fast it would go, the way it pressed you into the seat when some guy challenged him in it and my dad decided to show him what it was made of. One day he decided to upgrade the truck to make it a real show truck. It'd have a big block now, a nova clip up front and a 9 inch out back with 4 wheel disks, nice paint, new oak and some fleetside inner fenders in the bed to accommodate 14 inch meats out back , the works. He completely disassembled it, installed the nova front clip and had the truck media blasted, and then life caught up with him. The drain of us kids and all the things we needed took president and his truck sat in a million pieces and in plastic baggies around the garage.

It became something of a joke. We all grew up, built cars in the garage pushing his truck further and further back in the corner. My dad never batted an eye, and sacrificed all of his midlife building cars with us while his dream sat unfulfilled.

He'd always say he'd get around to it. He'd start, sand a panel, or fidget with something, and then he'd get caught up in something else. The next thing you know 20 years had gone by.

A year ago my dad was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. He retired from his job. In less than a year the disease ravaged my once impossibly strong father. The weight loss was astonishing. He did a few projects around his house like most newly retired guys do. But as his abilities dwindled his attention suddenly turned back his truck. He knew he was running out of time to finish it himself. Not but 4 months ago he started in earnest, working like a madman towards his dream. Up at 5 am and working till 9 at night every day, to the point of exhaustion. His rotator cuff gave out, he had surgery. and with his arm still in a sling, he was out there. With one arm, doing what he could.

We all pitched in as much as we could as often as we could, My oldest brother and he working almost every day on the project. He could not be stopped, or made to slow down on his truck. He wanted it done. NOW. To my amazement, in what seemed like over night he and my brothers built that truck right there in his garage. Everything. Even the paint.

The last time I sat in my father's complete truck, my feet didn't reach the pedals. I remember making VROOM VROOM sounds as I pretended to be my dad, jamming the gears in it.

Today, over 25 years later, I climbed up in the seat and drove it. For real.
Coolest. Feeling. Ever.

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[oorange67]

Congrats to your dad for completeing his dream and being there for his family all those years!!!!!!!

[West Texas Z]

yeah, I agree. Its a gorgous truck.

[MrQuick]

that is such a great thing. Now its time to enjoy it. Great work too.

[6'9"Witha69]

Congrats to you and your dad Tony!

[TonyHuntimer]

A proud day indeed. Congratulations to your dad for finishing his dream. Knowing about the disease...it must be an awesome feeling for your dad to accomplish such a feat.

When I was 13, my older brother used to take me to Sears Point in his Canary Yellow '57 Chevy Truck. It looked much like your dad's. Very cool!

Tony~

[Munster]

Hope he and the truck bring the family many more years of fun and memories.:twothumbs

[Part Time]

Awesome! Hope you have many more memories with your Dad and the truck.

[cjrolke]

very cool

now get out there ad and enjoy it with him

[ProBell]

Congrats to your dad and the family. Randy

[Moose]

cool story.. congrats to you, your brothers and espically your dad!

[Rubes]

Very cool story (except for the illness part of course). My Dad did the same thing with letting us boys build ours, even building a huge garage to house my collection...but after we all grew up, he built his own. Having unexpectedly lost Dad earlier this month, "the car that Dad built" is even more special. Enjoy Dad enjoying his truck!!!!

[dodge]

thank you for sharing your story with us..

cheers Joe

[RaceMan]

Wow , enjoy that one !!!

[slck6t9]

Great story Tony.. And an awesome truck to boot.

[BA.]

great story, beautiful truck Tony!

best of luck!

[Smock67]

That is one sweet truck, good things come to those who wait.
Best of wishes to your dad and the rest of your family.
Now go show people what that truck is made of.

[Steve1968LS2]

You do know where to send a couple high res pictures.. right???

:)

Cool story, cool truck, and most of all... cool Dad...

[TonyL]

You have no idea how much ass that'd kick Steve. I'll get right on it.

[steemin]

You have no idea how much ass that'd kick Steve. I'll get right on it.

Is this place great or what:woot:

Great story and beautiful truck Tony...

Scott

[trapin]

These are the type of stories that truly define what this hobby is all about. What a great story of triumph over adversity.

Tony I got nothing but mad respect for your Dad right now. Congrats to him and your brothers for gettin' it done.

[neki67]

Great story Tony. Be proud of the old man and yourselves, you all deserve it!

[Chad-1stGen]

That is such an amazing story! I dig the truck but the backstory makes it beyond one of a kind. I'm really happy for you man.

[Chevrolaine]

If that ain't a pick me upper kind of story (pun intended), I don't know what is!
Next time I say I'm too tired to work on the car, I'll think of your dad and get my butt out there!

[vp23271]

Tony,

Thanks for sharing your story and best wishs to your family. The truck looks great!

[TonyL]

Thanks for all the kind words guys!

[68sixspeed]

awesome, now get out there with him and enjoy it. Make some memories, you can't put a price on that.

[TonyL]

awesome, now get out there with him and enjoy it. Make some memories, you can't put a price on that.

Indeed. We have a little local car show/get together every weekend in Yuba City at the local IHOP starting next week. Finally He'll be able to take his own truck. I can't wait.

[Vinz68]

What a great story!! Congrats to you and your family. That made my day! Thanks

[86Cutlass383SR]

Tony
Your sig sums it up the best

"This moment is a gift, that’s why they call it the "present".

Doug

[CarlC]

Your dad should be an inspiration to those who say they can't.

What a great read. Congratulations to your dad.

[BonzoHansen]

A very moving story indeed. Enjoy!

[TonyL]

Here's a few shots to give you an idea of the progress timetable.
december
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January (not running. No electrical, no fuel system)
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March
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[bigvegan]

Tony - that's an awesome story. Thanks for sharing.

Steve - Asking for hi-res pics a couple of hours later was a class act on your part.

This site kicks ass!

[86Cutlass383SR]

x2 on the class act of Steve...That's a story I wanna frame and hang on my wall for inspiration!

Doug

[bwhinnen]

A proud day indeed, not only did your dad achieve his goals, he did a great job too! The truck looks fantastic and your dad looks pleased as punch in that photo!

[TonyL]

He's pretty happy with it. In the interest of time, he had to "settle" on some of the details though. He didn't get the wheels and tires he wanted. We had those Welds laying around the shop for about 15 years, (the power ball really does work!) and the motor doesn't have a big cam or anything exotic at all. It's a bone stock 454, but it runs and looks decent. He plans to save up for some bigger billet rims, like 18s in the front and 20s out back,a lopey cam and some other odds and ends. and maybe a new instrument panel and a stereo from custom autosound.

I'd like to thank Second Skin Audio for the sound deadener we won from them. The cabin sounds SO good and solid. No resonance at all, and the mufflers dump right under the cab.

Thanks again for all the kind words everyone. I'm really happy his story has struck a chord with so many people. He'll be stoked.

[Fawkes]

Tony, thanks for sharing. It brought a tear to the corner of my eye.

Steve, you rock. I would love to see a layout of this truck in PHR. :)

[rockdogz]

Tony that's awesome! Really great what you guys did for your dad, after all he did for you!
:headbang:

[Steve Chryssos]

Very cool!! Congratulations to you all.

[CRCRFT78]

CONGRATULATIONS to your old man for accomplishing his dream.

[cotyandkevin]

i will have show timmy reminds me when we were little kids!!

(Kevin is my cousin for those wondering. -TonyL)

[clay johnson]

The last time I sat in my father's complete truck, my feet didn't reach the pedals. I remember making VROOM VROOM sounds as I pretended to be my dad, jamming the gears in it.

Today, I climbed up in the seat and drove it. For real.
Coolest. Feeling. Ever.

Dude, that is sooo awesome!

[sam1]

If I am not in my car with my wife or kids there is something missing. Just not as fun if you can't share it with somebody.

Great post to bookmark when you are upset about finances or BS at work.

Great looking truck too!

[Nessumsar]

Originally Posted by TonyL
The last time I sat in my father's complete truck, my feet didn't reach the pedals. I remember making VROOM VROOM sounds as I pretended to be my dad, jamming the gears in it.

Today, I climbed up in the seat and drove it. For real.
Coolest. Feeling. Ever.


I second that, such an awsome time. Great story, have some fun with them (dad and truck)!

[OHCbird]

Tony- That's great to hear, man- It just reinforces my belief that you can't beat the true American spirit. Your Dad represents just that- sacrifice for family, fight the good fight, and an unwavering ability to never let your dreams die.

Awesome! Next time I'm in NrCal, the beer is on me.

JEFF

[Sixx101]

Man to say that story touched me is an understatement. Thank you for sharing. I read your story to my wife and it touched us both. Talk about the true spirit of Rodding. Tell you your dad I said thanks for being a real Dad!

[TonyL]

Im glad you were touched by our story. I can't tell you how surreal it is seeing it drivable. I'm so happy for my dad. That's what it's all about.

[Jim Nilsen]

That is soooooo much like the truck I would have if I could really have the truck of my dreams. Your Dad is driving around in style now and it is soo great that you got to help make it come true for him.



Now if you guys can resist putting a flame job on I will be surprised :cheers: