| unclemark | -- 12-17-2009 @ 2:25 PM |
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I was asked by an early v8 member to post this for everyone on this site after he saw it on another site. Here is a quick historical back ground on the panel as best as I have been able to piece together at this time. The truck was used purchased and used by the Horace Davis Grocery store in Lafayette Colorado until 1956. It was purchased by my friend and used on his farm until 1959. The tuck sat inside there until May of 2008 when I bought it and brought it home. I started cleaning it up and working on getting the old truck running while looking for historical clues on it’s past. The truck is original except for tires, wiring and recovered seats. I was unable to find the correct material but the look better than they did. I was invited to the local museum and there was a large turn out of older long time residents who remembered the truck and shared their memories. I had a chance to speak with a large group of these older residents who came to the local miners museum just to see the truck. Many of these people were well into their 80’s or 90’s. The truck was driven by a young man by the name of Bob Palmer who later became a newscaster for channel 7 news here in Colorado. I was able to get in touch with Bob’s younger sister and brother who provided me with stories and a photo of the truck taken in 1948. Both family members came that day. They tell me that the truck has significance to the community because it was the way in which most households and farms got their groceries on a regular basis. Saturdays were the busy days, the truck would run every hour on the hour according to the woman who was the switch board operator, she tells me that in those days you made a list and the grocer put it together for you at the store. Back then people could ring up the Davis store via the switchboard operator to have Bob bring their groceries to them. The truck was a familiar site around town for many years. Other earlier trucks were used including a model T and some remember a flatbed truck with small stake sides but none survive to this day. (Note; When I did have the lettering redone, all that was left was a red drop shadow. I guessed at the white. Must have been another darker color as the photo indicates). Bob's sister recalls the truck was a kind of gray from the beginning. Other older long time residents confirm that the truck was that color new although Davis did not keep it as clean as it Is now. The fenders were not painted over as some may suggest, they are in fact the same color underneath as on top. The red oxide color showing through the faded paint is a Ford base primer and I am told common practice from the factory at the time. Bob passed in 2008 and I never had the chance to show him the truck. His family was very surprised to know that the truck is still around and runs. Bob's sister knew my friend Joe. Both families were based in Lafayette at the time and although Joe was older than Bob, they both passed the same year. I don’t know if I will be the one to restore this truck but maybe some day I will have enough money to rebuild the tired old flathead. I hope you guys will get a kick out of this.
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| 39 Ken | -- 12-17-2009 @ 3:36 PM |
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Great story! Just love the old and original. If it had been restored, I bet the old timers, or you, would not appreciate and enjoy the truck as much as they did in it's present condition. JMO, but making her run dependably and safely, leaving the "Patina" of age and experience and memory would be the way to go. Just speaking for me, I'd leave her be in all her aged glory. Good luck with her. Ken
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| ford38v8 | -- 12-17-2009 @ 3:45 PM |
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It's good to see the variety of Ford Motor vehicles that are being kept on the road. On our Concourses, we have seen most everything, I think, except for a Cement Mixer, and the dual engine tractor-trailers that transported Liberator sub assemblies to Texas. A great deal of history is being kept alive by dedicated collectors of these so-called less desirable vehicles. A big thank you from all of us! Alan
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| trjford8 | -- 12-17-2009 @ 6:31 PM |
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Mark, saw your photo posted on the Fordbarn. Great truck and it should be left the way it is now. You could put a few primer spots on it to cover any bare metal, but it looks just fine. All of us appreciate nice old original Fords. They are the ones that set the mark for those that need to be restored. Your truck is not only a piece of Ford history , but a piece of Colorado history. Thanks for posting here on the V-8 Club site.I think you posted some recent photos on Fordbarn and it would be great if you could also post them here. This message was edited by trjford8 on 12-17-09 @ 6:33 PM
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| tinkerer | -- 05-07-2010 @ 6:14 PM |
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I just purchased a '41 Panel Delivery that is totally stock body but modified and updated running gear. For your interest I am sending you a few photos. I would appreciate receiving some photos of yours. Also I am trying to find out how many were produced in '41, I know that many were sacrificed by the military in WWII. My email is shanklindon@aol.com.
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