The original 1969 Ford F-100 housed a 360 cubic inch engine which had base and custom cab levels. It was a part of a Ford series of trucks that were relatively larger compared to its predecessors. The truck also incorporated reflectors, redesigned the hood and restructured the Ford Emblem. These trucks were popular utility vehicles back in the day. Very few of these trucks remain in tip top condition today.
However, Charles Corriher managed to keep his Ford truck. It came from a long lineage of owners dating back to the first owner (his father-in-law) in 1969. Here are the words of Charles Corriher as he narrates how his 1969 Ford F-100 managed to survive the past four decades!
“My father-in-law bought this 1969 F-100 new in November of 1968. My wife and her brother learned to drive on this truck with no power steering or power brakes.
The truck was used as a work truck for 20 years in my father-in-law painting business.
About 8 years ago, he began restoring it, but was hospitalized and subsequently passed away before completing the process.
The truck sat garaged for over 6 years - rarely driven with no further restoration.
Finally, in May of '03, my mother-in-law agreed to part with it. I hauled it 8 hours in torrential rain on a U-Haul trailer through the mountains of NC and TN to its new home. Several thousand dollars and a couple hundred man hours later, it's almost done.
My son is 8 and chooses to ride in ‘Papaw's’ truck over anything else we own. When it's time for him to learn how to drive, I'll continue the tradition.... “
This is a touching story of true automobile tradition. It also serves as a good case study for fellow preservationists.
However, preservation does not come cheap. You should be ready to curdle the necessary expenses that your vehicle needs.
Sources: ClassicTruckShop
1 comment:
Thanks for story, Superchunk88. I posted that description of my father-in-law's F100 over 5 years ago. It remains in pristine condition. My son is 13 now and we often take our truck to local weekend shows and cruise-ins - just me, him and the dog. He now understands the time, effort and passion required to preserve something important to our family. He was only 3 when 'Papaw' passed away and has minimal recollections of the solid values for which this man stood. Its a bare-bones working man's truck with just the necessary amenities to get the job done. Early on Sunday mornings, we find vacant parking lots for my son to learn to handle a truck that will be his in a few short years. As Chrysler merges with Fiat, GM struggles out of bankruptcy, and Ford stock trickles below $5 a share - we still have our own personal 360 cubic inches of priceless Americana right outside in the garage.
Charles Corriher
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