Blast from MY past

[Beap52 2,283]

Cleaning out drawers in shop today and came across a couple of papers that I've kept for more than 50 years.  

 

The first is the bill of sale for the El Camino when I bought it new in 1971.  I was suppose to be practicing walking and seating for my high school graduation but dad and I were at the Chevrolet dealership.  $3,688.00 brand new. Still have it and  drove it a couple of  days ago.  Apparently, dad had to sign the loan for me.

 

The second picture are from a Sedan Deliveries Unlimited club that I joined in the mid 1970's.  Sure was a simpler time when a fellow awaited for the monthly (or bi-monthly) periodicals of his favorite club.  I've still got the little round window sticker on the wing window in the delivery from the club.  The  club dissolved many years ago.  

 

The third picture is from the Sedan Deliveries National Meet in St. Paul Minnesota.  My delivery (lower right) was one of the cars that was pictured in the monthly mail out that I mentioned under picture #2.  Considering that delivery was rebuilt and made running in a small shop whose floor was sidewalk pieces removed when the city replaced them and laid together like a puzzle to make a floor that made a creeper useless.  Paul and I were just out of high school, had no/little experience in restoring vehicles but young and dumb we jumped into it with both feet.  We sandblasted the delivery using sand we sifted through a screen wire from the local lumber yard.  It was my first road trip outside of my state of Missouri.  I took about every tool I owned and the only issue that I recall was loose starter.  The Montgomery & Wards engine overhaul kit is still holding together.  I was probably 23 years old.  Now that I am a grandpa,  I can only imagine the worry of mom and dad as I struck out in basically and untested vehicle and more than likely no contact with them until I returned back home.  Going to a far of city with only a paper map.  My, how things have changed!

 

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I paid $1200 for a used 1968 ElCamino back in 1975. 120K, 327 (was originally a 307), 3 speed on the column. Freshened up the 327, in went a 4 speed. Nice ride. Sold it around 1980...

[oliver2-44 11,503]

In 1973 I paid $250 for a 1966 Ford 3/4 ton, 80k, 351 smoked/burned oil. Bought from an old rancher, every body panel had been hit by gates and kicked by cows.  I bought a 351 from the junk yard that had a hole in the side of the block brazed up. Junk man assured me i wanted that engine (turned out to be a 351 Cleveland) Bought Bondo by the gallon and smoothed, painted it. 

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Bought my first NEW vehicle in 1969. It was a black 1970 Chevy C-10 Fleet side with a V8, Posi traction, and chrome wheels, cost a bit less than $ 3,000. As an apprentice electrician I was making about $ 2.50 an hour so the payments were about one week's pay. In fact the truck payments were more than my mortgage.

My present truck (2009 Dakota) cost ten times as much but I suspect an apprentice made more than $ 25.00 in 2009 so relative to inflation the price is about the same.