1953 LTL, Old dog got to the groomer this week

[AZB755V8]

Since Covid19 has killed all the truck shows for most of the year it was time to give the old dog a bath and groom before going to sleep for the summer. As with any old dog she was dirty and dusty from just laying around, just waiting to go to a few shows. So had to take the dog to the detailer, sign on building, and get polished and waxed because things are starting to open up again cause of Covid19. Wanted to give my neighbor some much needed work. It took four days to detail, bugs actually etched into the paint, glass water etched, polish aluminum parts and wheels. Turned out a lot better than in the past and boy she was a mess.

 

 

Edited May 19, 2020 by AZB755V8

[alex g]

She's a beauty too bad can't get to a show to show it off

[AZB755V8]

23 minutes ago, alex g said:

She's a beauty too bad can't get to a show to show it off

It's OK, got here and that counts a lot. Most guys here know what it takes to get a retired 67 year old truck to look good. There is always next year for the shows.

[j hancock]

That's Nice!

[mattb73lt]

That is really sharp!! Very nice.

[mackdaddy]

Damn that looks great! Itch sold it to a good home!

 

[harrybarbon]

AZB...  I bought 2 external caravan covers with soft internal fabric from Aldi Supermarket about $aust 85 each, they cover our B75 truck and sleeper cabs all over and down the sides and second cover for the frame and rear end, - keeps our Kermit clean, dry and happy in his kennel. I cut 2 small holes to allow the exhausts to poke thru so the cover drop down the sides fully, and then placed a couple of hessian sacks over the exhausts. And plenty of rat sack to protect Kermit from invaders. 

[AZB755V8]

17 minutes ago, mackdaddy said:

Damn that looks great! Itch sold it to a good home!

 

Thanks, When I got it off Itchy it was in need of some attention. Since it's been in a good caring home along with a few other good old Dogs. Had all the sheet metal striped to bare metal, had some chrome done and went from all green to tan and green for paint. Found a few pieces to make it complete with all the 141 aluminum castings that make it an LTL. It is a Great old truck and the true definition of a long hood Dog!

[Vladislav]

Great look!

At one hand it seems sad when you (anybody) have spent damn lots of efforts to make a rig perfect and get it finished but in a bit of while polished parts fades out and dust collects in corners giving away a clean show look. So you have to continue putting powers to keep the diamond shiny.

On the other hand when your project is ready you actually don't have much of to do with it. So takings some care to it might mean a bit of play. And result of such care of a kind you showed us on the pictures brings no doubt a lot of fun and pride.

[AZB755V8]

10 hours ago, Vladislav said:

Great look!

At one hand it seems sad when you (anybody) have spent damn lots of efforts to make a rig perfect and get it finished but in a bit of while polished parts fades out and dust collects in corners giving away a clean show look. So you have to continue putting powers to keep the diamond shiny.

On the other hand when your project is ready you actually don't have much of to do with it. So takings some care to it might mean a bit of play. And result of such care of a kind you showed us on the pictures brings no doubt a lot of fun and pride.

Thanks but don't be sad. I know that doing this to a truck may not be for a lot of guys. However If I took the, don't do it you will never get your time or money back, point of view with the other interest I have like the wife, kids, house, businesses I would not have tried at all. My Wife is still beautiful after 28 years together, Boys are not on drugs and in collage, home is a mansion, shop is finally done, great guard dogs, lot a guns, businesses built and sold. It all took a lot of time and money, stress, thinking, fun, etc. No regrets, made and lose millions and still retired without a worry except health. But why try and keep fixing, helping, caring for everything. It is all going to die, fall apart or not work over time?

A lot more people have cars, boats, planes, motorcycles with very little use. Wife has little use her cars, a Benz conv, Vett conv, Maserati (piece of crap), because I have trucks. She likes them I like trucks.

No one can actually use a 67 years old truck, sort of like a 67 year old man going to work everyday with 25 year old men digging ditches. Who is going to drive a 3 stick, no power steering, no A/C, no airide, no stereo, no emissions, antique work horse? How is going to write commercial insurance on this old a truck? No matter what if in an accident it would be because of the age of the truck and safety. No front brakes on the LTL they were optional back then. This is an original 50-57 LTL, parts from all those years, not a LT cab and hood on a new frame and drivetrain as most are. 

Just for thought if I built truck models, painted portraits, assembled puzzles, read books, etc. What would I have to do with the objects once I finished them, not much. I just have a hobby on a different scale.

Thanks for the option, I just am having fun with some big old stuff that people like to look at and appreciate but few want or keep in great shape.  

 

[Vladislav]

1 hour ago, AZB755V8 said:

Just for thought if I built truck models, painted portraits, assembled puzzles, read books, etc. What would I have to do with the objects once I finished them, not much. I just have a hobby on a different scale.

Thanks for the option, I just am having fun with some big old stuff that people like to look at and appreciate but few want or keep in great shape.  

 

That all is very good written. I have a similar point of view.

Good is when people understand the matter of things. Actually it seems that not many do.

[Freightrain]

Fantastic!!!  Wow.

 

We're all kinda sick when it comes to hobbies like this.  We all spend our own various amounts of money on things that will never be worth anything close to the total spent.  We do it for the love and the personal satisfaction.   Many dream of a truck like yours, but like me, I like to use mine too much and that kind of restoration would be a moot point because I could never keep it at that level.

I have friend with show cars and even drag cars that would meet that kind of level.  I laugh about having to wash my hands before working on them.

Edited May 19, 2020 by Freightrain

[AZB755V8]

2 hours ago, Freightrain said:

Fantastic!!!  Wow.

 

We're all kinda sick when it comes to hobbies like this.  We all spend our own various amounts of money on things that will never be worth anything close to the total spent.  We do it for the love and the personal satisfaction.   

I have friend with show cars and even drag cars that would meet that kind of level.  I laugh about having to wash my hands before working on them.

Ya, maybe sick or half crazy but its fun... not hurting anyone. If it weren't for the interest in working on old stuff there would be something else like, drinking, gabbling, chasing women, etc. That would have my interest, all is money and time spent. You drag race as well as I did, never get out what was put in, cost is crazy these days, but it is worth it to work on something for a week to to run it 4-6 times down the strip to work on it again. Nothing like a nice clean drag car. 

Belvedere: Low 9's@147     Cuda: 10.4's@128  Collecting dust, no one wants them or know how to work on them these days.  34 all steel Ford hasn't been out in years.

Never washed my hand before working on anything, for 50 years, but told mechanics gloves keep things cleaner. Rages still work for me, I laugh too.

 

 

[mackdaddy]

you are right about the LTL. Itch put it together 100% correct but he just didn't do the final polish on it. When that truck sold it was a helluva bargain considering how well it was put together.

 

[Ezrider]

beautiful just beautiful  

[Freightrain]

Race cars...ugh. I dont spent much on mine typically.  Though last year it needed a new block after 20 years.  Then my 24 yr old alum heads started puking water over winter.  Start over and just duplicated what I spent last year on short block to replace top half.  Groan.  Should be good til I retire racing?  This is my 25th straight season now.

None of my stuff is pristine.  Again, too much work and anymore I HATE work!! 

[General Ike]

17 hours ago, AZB755V8 said:

Ya, maybe sick or half crazy but its fun... not hurting anyone. If it weren't for the interest in working on old stuff there would be something else like, drinking, gabbling, chasing women, etc. That would have my interest, all is money and time spent. You drag race as well as I did, never get out what was put in, cost is crazy these days, but it is worth it to work on something for a week to to run it 4-6 times down the strip to work on it again. Nothing like a nice clean drag car. 

Belvedere: Low 9's@147     Cuda: 10.4's@128  Collecting dust, no one wants them or know how to work on them these days.  34 all steel Ford hasn't been out in years.

Never washed my hand before working on anything, for 50 years, but told mechanics gloves keep things cleaner. Rages still work for me, I laugh too.

 

 

If you are interested in selling the cars, the place to do so today is bringatrailer.com

Amazing site of enthusiasts that auctions a wide variety of vehicles.  Many bringing several hundred thousand dollars.  "Cuda sales on there range from $7,000-$125,000 depending on year, motor, rarity etc.

[BOB DINGSDALE]

looks very spiffy

[Chuck P]

Stunning LTL is all I could say.  

The colors are striking and just the right amount of chrome.  Well Done!

[harrybarbon]

AZB - golden words that only some truly understand and appreciate 👌

[mowerman]

Truck is gorgeous love the color both Plymouth are really nice too but fury was always one of my favorites I remember when you could buy them all day long for nothing ha ha..bob

[AZB755V8]

22 minutes ago, mowerman said:

Truck is gorgeous love the color both Plymouth are really nice too but fury was always one of my favorites I remember when you could buy them all day long for nothing ha ha..bob

Thanks for liking, Fury, you say Fury... Bought this 1960 conv. for the wife to restore, she likes convertibles. She lost interest before I got to it, thank God, wanted a new Vett conv, instead. I sold it back to the same guy I got it from after 10 years. He was happy to get it back, raccoon and rat crap still in place from when I got it. He told me what he paid for it when he bought it back, your right on the nothing thing!

 

 

 

[MackLTH]

AZ,

Very tasteful change to the LTL.

Itch put a lot of effort into that truck so it is nice to see it in a clean dry home.

I remember Itchy telling me what he had to go through restoring the fuel tanks...it took about six tanks to make two good ones..carefully cutting them in half to mate one good end with another good front..then having to convince his fabricator to weld them together!

Cheers,Pat

[mowerman]

On 5/21/2020 at 8:50 AM, AZB755V8 said:

Thanks for liking, Fury, you say Fury... Bought this 1960 conv. for the wife to restore, she likes convertibles. She lost interest before I got to it, thank God, wanted a new Vett conv, instead. I sold it back to the same guy I got it from after 10 years. He was happy to get it back, raccoon and rat crap still in place from when I got it. He told me what he paid for it when he bought it back, your right on the nothing thing!

 

 

 

New corvette sounds a lot more appealing than that thing I’ve hadda lot of older Chrysler models but that thing is ugly lol I’m glad she didn’t want it as well... bob