I've posted this on other sites and the more I've talked about it the more some like the story and think it should be told. So here goes ..... About 25 years ago this foreign car scrap yard guy tells me about his 53 F100 for sale from California for $4000.00. I'm thinking about $3000.00 less but I didn't need the truck so I forgot about it. Time goes on and my buddy from town built a 55 F100 and sold it then went on to a 33 Ford plastic car. Everything this guy does is very good and if you saw his shop you wouldn't believe he could make some of the stuff he does from there....also most was made from scrap since he works at a scrap yard. Anyway about 2001 he decides he wants another F100. He searches the world over and goes into Ohio and Indiana chasing down a truck. Then one day (I must have hit my head) I remember the guy who said he had the 53 F100 from California ... but that was a long time ago. Would he still have it?? Damn if my buddy doesn't call the guy after a couple weeks of joking about it and YES he still has it and it's still for sale.( I must have a little elephant in my brain to have remembered that one.Or I didn't burn out as many brain cells as I thought in the 70's) My buddy can't wait to check it out so the next day he goes to see the truck and the thing is very clean for hanging out in a dirt floor Michigan barn all these years. A deal was struck and home it came. My buddy is into making all his own parts so this truck gets the tear down and gets painted a custom made bright red by a guy who restores cars and motorcycles for a rich guy in Bath Mi. During the rebuild........(Stuff to look for you Wisconsin guys. ) Welded all the body seams, louvered tailgate, custom inside door handles, custom instrument cluster, dash knobs, oil cap, air cleaner, top of valve covers, tailgate hinges, tail light brackets and the list goes on. All made from scrap aluminium. Painted red grille with chrome teeth. Had some kind of polished 5 spoke wheels. 351 motor with Hiedt's front end with polished arms and 9 inch rear. Very nice truck...definately magazine quality for those that are into polished alloy. ( I know this is a traditional site or used to be before 69 Chevy trucks with WWW's were traditional) This is a story for those into the hunt. The hunt started last week. Family's get funny with the passing of a loved one. The truck sat in a barn forever now the family might like the truck back...if the price is right. Well you see in our little 'burg we have had a few what you might call people who made it big or did something spectacular or ??? like every town. Recently one of those folks passed away. His name is Brad Van Pelt. Was a high school 3 sport star..was an all American in football at Michigan State and one of the only people who lettered in 3 sports while in college. Then on to a pro football career at New York Giants and Oakland Raiders and Cleveland browns. At the funeral for this young man of 57 was a picture of his Dad leaning up against an old Ford truck. Now for the hunt. The family knows it's not the old Ford truck any more. They know of it's new and some would say improved life. But where could it be??? My buddy from town sold the truck to some guy in the Green Bay Wisconsin area. Unfortunately he tossed the guys name when he sold it.....so I'm the one who found it and got my buddy to buy it. Now I'd like to help the Van Pelt family find the truck. I have some pics coming but thought I'd get the ball rolling or getting you Wisconsin folks to see if the truck sounds familiar or if you know about it....put the word out I'm sure with this large world made smaller by this computer we can help a guy out and see if the truck could be bought or maybe it's not for sale but at least we tried. Thanks for reading.....Michigan Rick
Haven't seen something like that (and I have '53 f-100 radar). I would recommend asking the local (Madison, WI) Badgerland F-100 club here: http://badgerlandf100s.com/ Looks like the website is down right now though. However, they would likely know or be a great place to start! In the mean time, contact Mike Connor (608) 274-6257 who I believe organizes thier summer cruise to the Dells (mikeconnor@charter.net ). Good luck!
For help you might post this on the following thread.http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=317676
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