Ford In Merc's Clothing?
I just wanted to point something out in your article in the December issue, "Fords Fill Featherly Park." In one of the photos you are showing a supposed '56 Mercury truck. Well, I just want to let you know that hubcaps don't make a true statement about a truck's make. It is nice to have Mercury hubcaps, but the rest of the truck looks like a Ford! I know that there is a big trend developing in cloning a Mercury truck; that is OK, but say it loud and clear that your truck is a clone! And that's not to say that the particular truck is not nice, but let the real difference be known.
Bobby Gallant
Via the Internet
Well, you know, sometimes little things like that slip through the cracks. In this instance, I don't think Grant actually realized the F-100 was a faux Merc, thus he described the truck as he saw fit. Being it was a single photo from event coverage rather than a full feature claiming false identity (which we make sure to NOT do with Pat Ford's cloned Merc in the Jan. '07 issue!), I wouldn't get too riled up about it. Besides, with a gem like yours, what's there to be jealous about?!
Runs In The Blood Or Does It?
Recently, if I'm not mistaken, I saw you at the Truck Shop in Orange, California. I walked in as another customer was complaining about the high cost of restoring his Chevy pickup. I humored him and said I wished I'd started with a better truck myself, but I also reminded him that it's a hobby. While this exchange was going on, I saw you waiting at the counter, kind of listening in. I looked at you with your cap on backward and something was very familiar about you. While trying to place you, I thought maybe you were Jim Rizzo. There's some resemblance.
Anyway, I picked up the September issue of Classic Trucks from one of the growing stacks of magazines at home, and I re-read your article about building the new bed for your '53. Seeing those pictures again solved the familiar gear-head riddle for me: It's you, man! So I re-read your article about your son, Gearhead Jr. Rob, I just want to say you should consider yourself extremely fortunate, even blessed, that your son is showing so much interest in the same mechanical fascinations you have. I wouldn't necessarily put too much stock in exposure as a reason behind it, either. My own experience doesn't support that notion. My dad used to say he couldn't lift the hood on a car without drawing blood. He had absolutely no mechanical aptitude. As for myself, I'm a total car nut.
It really was disappointing to me over the years to see that my two sons could literally injure themselves tripping over the car magazines and car and truck parts around my place, but are still automotive illiterates. It's simply not their passion. Lord knows I've done everything I could to light that fire in them, but to no avail.Recently, I returned from a weekend at El Mirage doing course prep and Famoso watching the vintage drags. It was the first time I didn't strongly coerce either of my sons to tag along. I will still attend their soccer games, but I realize my auto hobby is just not their thing. So my advice is not to let your son's fire go out. Don't take it for granted, be grateful you can share it with him, and hopefully enjoy it together for many, many years to come. Keep up the great work on Classic Trucks, too!
Tim
Via the Internet
Tim, thanks for the great e-mail. But are you sure it was ME you saw last week? I occasionally go there to buy a needed part, but it's been quite some time since I've been to the Truck Shop. It could have been my stunt double who I use to do all my dirty work (he's the one responsible for anything I do that others don't like). As for the comparison to Riz, well, I guess you'd have to see him in person to fully realize the vast differences between the two of us. Short of a good tattoo collection, we're like salt and pepper on the exterior! It's the gas and oil in the blood (and ink!) that we share in common. Regardless, we're friends before co-workers, so it's an honor to be compared!
Thanks for reminding me about my little one...he's turning out to be something else, I'll tell ya. Every night when I get home, his mother wastes no time in telling of his latest incident at the store, bank, etc., whether it was noticing a particular type of car go by or pointing out a '32 Ford on a guy's T-shirt. If he doesn't end up following in daddy's footsteps, I'll be very surprised. But don't harbor any disappointment toward your kin-just be happy they're healthy and that they're not out getting into serious trouble like so many kids these days. I've still got that to deal with down the road, but I'm sure I'll be as proud a papa then as I am now.
Under The Influence
Hello, my name is Priscilla Voakes, and I am from Windsor, Ontario, Canada. I am 22 years old and currently attending university, but this past summer as my dad has been customizing a '65 Chevy pickup, Classic Trucks has become a regular in our household, and I have been reading them as well! After seeing a lot of amazing paintwork in your magazine, I've become interested in learning to pinstripe. I was kind of hoping to send some pictures to your magazine to show that girls are into trucks and cars too. If some readers could see my pinstriping, then they might be inspired to get out there and try new things. I have attached a few pictures of some of my work on my dad's truck (he's not painting it; he's buffing it down to the raw metal). Thank you!
Priscilla Voakes
Via the Internet
Talk about starting off on the right foot...or with the right hand. Nice work, Priscilla-bet your father never anticipated his li'l girl becoming a pinstriper! Keep up the good work, and always remember, practice makes perfect.
Feature 411
My name is Dave Byrne, and I have been a longtime fan of your magazine. I own a 1964 GMC that has been in the family, passed down through three generations, and is now my pride and joy. I am inquiring about how I can get my truck in your magazine. It would truly be an honor to be a part of Classic Trucks' history. My truck is really a head-turner, and I think it would turn heads in your magazine as well. If you could provide any information about how I could fulfill my dream, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you once again.
Dave Byrne
Via the Internet
Well, since this is such a frequently asked question, Dave, I figured it'd be best to answer here so more people will know the process of getting his or her truck featured in the magazine. First and foremost, despite the fact that everyone thinks they've got the (insert appropriate adjective) truck in the world-which they may indeed have-we need to be the final judge of that. But in order to do so, we need photographic evidence. Whether via e-mailed images or photographs sent the old-fashioned way, the staff here (that would pretty much be me) can only make that final decision after seeing the truck. So no matter how many voicemails or simple e-mails a person sends in, no photo, no dice. Now, there's always the chance that a truck will get turned down for a full feature, but there's always Classic Cruisers as a consolation prize (yeah, I know, that's not much to offer, but it's better than nothin', isn't it?). So, using the e-mail address listed at the top of page 18, e-mail images of your candidates for future feature consideration. For the non-Internet savvy, just drop a nice, sharp, color photo or two to: CLASSIC TRUCKS, Attn: Future Feature Candidates, 774 S. Placentia Ave., Placentia, CA 92870.