My Bullnose Journey - wonderful update!

[66gtk]

I posted here first in 2018 looking for help in finding my Dad's truck, or one similar to it.
https://forum.garysgaragemahal.com/New-Guy-my-Flareside-story-and-looking-to-find-a-truck-tp18719.html

I knew it was a long shot to find dad's "actual" truck, but I did find it over 2 years ago after I had purchased mine.  I've tried for over 2 years to buy it with no luck.  The truck was reportedly in this guys garage for nearly 30 years in Utah and was untouched.  It had 50K miles on it, and was exactly the way my Dad had it with no modifications or changes other than a bug deflector and chrome trim rings added.

Fast forward over 2 years and many many conversations with the owner and my Dad was able to successfully get his truck back home in late May, just a few weeks ago!  I drove back to ND last weekend to assess what was there and try and rejuvenate the original paint.  My dad has every bit of paperwork on this truck since getting the original brochure and order sheet.  It's all there, including the day 2 mods.  He had Hedman RV headers and dual exhaust, dual glass packs installed.  They are still there.  The smog pump has been disconnected, but the EEC-III system remains with the original carb.  The paint cleaned up nice, and Dad is very happy.  He's going to clean up the wheels since the trim rings left marks in the paint, and put on new tires and other maintenance issues.  He plans to leave it alone and original, including the bedwood that remains.

I'm not sure what the chances are that he got his truck back in nearly the same condition he had it in after all these years, but they can't be good!  Sure makes for a great story and happy conclusion!  Here are pics from last weekend's clean up.

[Gary Lewis]

What a wonderful story!  Wow!  And what a wonderful son!  I'll bet he's one happy father.  Happy Father's Day!  

Truck looks beautiful.  So now you have two immaculate and stock trucks.  Almost twins!  Lets see a pic of the two of them?

[66gtk]

Thanks Gary!  Here you go...

[Gary Lewis]

Two of the prettiest trucks around!  What a pair!  

[Powerman5K]

Both trucks are amazing! Your style side is an inspiration to my truck. I'm planning to paint mine the same color scheme this summer once I finish the bodywork. Great job!

[66gtk]

Powerman5K wrote

Both trucks are amazing! Your style side is an inspiration to my truck. I'm planning to paint mine the same color scheme this summer once I finish the bodywork. Great job!

Wow!  Thank you.  My truck was inspired by my Dad's (:
Here's another shot for you that shows the color well.

[Rembrant]

Very cool! Love both trucks.

[351FUN]

That is beyond gorgeous, congrats on getting it home

[Gsmblue]

Good work! Congratulations!!!

[grumpin]

Dang! That is awesome!

Nice trucks!

[BigBrother-84]

I am speechless, what a nice and very touching story!

[ckuske]

Great story, and very nice looking truck.  That truck is a gem.  I am on a similar journey restoring my Dad's 84 Flareside.  It's not as nice as yours, but I am getting closer.  My goal is to have it as close to stock as possible with a few incremental steps in between.

Is that Wimbledon white?  I just sent stock wheels (Thanks to Sac79/Rob!) out to get powder-coated, and the guy at the shop immediately rattled off Wimbledon as the color I would want for an old Ford (which I think is true).  I have a very nice set of hubcaps already waiting....

[66gtk]

Yes, the white on the side of the truck and on the wheels is Wimbledon White.

[Machspeed]

Awesome story!

[Powerman5K]

I did the same thing with my wheels but went the budget approach and stripped them to bare metal before painting them with Rustolium White Enamal and their clear coat.