JustAL Loqui

Tag: 46 Dodge

  • The Object of my Dejection Part 2

    If you read “The Object of My Dejection” posted a few days ago you discovered it was a two part narrative. I have been told that, as a way to bring readers back, to leave the audience hanging. Not sure who said it and not sure if it works.   Regardless, here is part 2.

    I purchased my ’46 Dodge from my cousin this past summer and transported it to my house. My brother helped me with the move and I will mention here he put himself out while doing it because he was pressed for time; so was I for that matter. In effect we moved the truck from one garage to another. I do not regret making the purchase nor will I regret any amount of money or time expended on the project. However, the fact is I have little to no room in my garage to do this project any justice.

    IMG_4281
    I have about 18 inches of available space on either side while in the garage

    To do this right requires the body to be removed from the frame; essentially stripping this truck down to the bones and then some. Several scenarios went through my mind in an attempt to plan this out using a methodical approach.

    I am mechanically inclined to a point. I am not, however, so mechanically inclined to do this right but I could not let the opportunity pass to rekindle the life of this precious truck. So, after a couple of months of thinking I came up with what I thought to be the perfect plan. So long as the truck stays in the family and is rebuilt to showroom condition I will have met my goal. So I decided to give the truck to my younger brother as I knew he would give the project the attention it deserved; plus he had the room and the tools to make it happen. Along with this I would be willing to expend most of the funds needed throughout the project.

    Within a few days of purchase Tim was tearing into his Dodge.
    Within a few days of purchase Tim was tearing into his Dodge.

    I decided I would call him the next day and work a plan to get the truck to his place in Virginia. Alas, within an hour of making this decision I got a text message from him stating he had just purchased a ’46 (or maybe it was a ’47) Dodge truck as a project. I was floored. Had I made the decision the instant the thought came to mind all would have been well; but I waiting too long. Story of my life.

    I still do not regret buying this truck and I still plan to bring it back to life. But I am saddened by the fact that it will set for an unknown amount of time before I do anything with it. I will never sell this truck. One way or another, this truck will always be in this family in honor of my Grandfather who, by his actions, taught me much.

    At present I have no plans set in stone to start this project. I refuse to start until I am assured I can complete it. My initial goal is to get the truck running. I do not see that as a major accomplishment because the engine was re-built about a year or so before it went into storage at my cousin’s house. It will require a bit I’m sure, but do not, at present, see a need to tear the engine apart. The problem is the wiring and the body.

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    The engine was rebuilt a couple years before going into storage in my cousin’s garage; about 20 years ago.

    The body is in very excellent shape considering the life it led. Back in the day all county roads were tarred and rocked each year so every car that drive those roads had a thick undercoating of tar which kept corrosion to a minimum.   My first step, which I hope to accomplish this winter, is to replace tires, brakes, wheel and master cylinders, brake lines and brake linings; might also replace the drums if needed. As mentioned the body is solid but the rust around the windshield is extensive and will need some serious attention to reinstate some functionality—a body man I’m not.

    The wring is the real problem. By that I mean I am not an electrical guy. The electrical components on a ’46 Dodge are not particularly complicated but all will certainly need to be replaced. Have yet to decide if I will convert to a 12 volt system or maintain the 6 volt configuration. I’m not wise enough to outline the pros and cons of 12 volt verses 6 volt.

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    Virtually every part is present, but not all work. All gauges need replaced and the floorboard will need replaced.

    So, back to my original premise of, “The Object of My Dejection.” I have a classic truck to rebuild; plus #1. I have my grandfather’s truck; plus (major plus) #2. I have a place to store the truck without too much inconvenience; plus #3. I do not have sufficient space to work on the truck; minus #1. Most tools needed to accomplish my tasks are on hand; plus #4. I really do not have the time to give this project the dedicated time it deserves; minus #2. The original parts for this truck may be hard to find and very expensive; minus #3.

    Of all of these plus and minus comments we can actually remove a couple from the list. For example I can remove the expense comment because I have always known a project like this would be expensive.  I have also always known this would be a time consuming project so that one can go away as well.   This leaves me with 4 pluses and 1 minus; so where is the dejection?

    Maybe there’s not one. By definition “dejection” means sadness, and lack of hope due to great disappointment. If we use that as a foundation then I am good to go because I am not sad, nor do I lack hope. I am disappointed that I missed an opportunity to pass this truck to someone who would give it the attention needed, but in the grand scheme of things there are more significant acts from my past that are truly disappointing.

    I think I will re -title this from “The Object of My Dejection” to “The Object of My Optimism.”

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    Considering the life of the truck it is in very good shape. We can only guess as to why one turn signal is higher than the other.

    I’m also thinking this is part 2 of a very long series on my blog. I’ll need to give the series a new title. I like “The Object of My Optimism” but I don’t ring. I’ll need to work on that. Any suggestions for a title that is befitting the refurbishment of my Grandfather’s ’46 Dodge would be most appreciated.What do you think?

  • The Object of My Dejection

    For whatever the reason, I think most guys want to rebuild a classic car. Whether that project results in a hotrod or a refurbishment into an original rendition is irrelevant. I’m no different. I have always wanted to rebuild a classic. Obvious obstacles to this desire are the cost and to a lesser degree the time involved. I say lesser because if you are going to do it right then the time needed is not the burden. The cost can be metered over time so that too can be controlled.

    Dejection El Camino
    My 1970 El Camino

    Sadly I’ve had classic cars in the past but did not know they were classic when I had them. I had a 1972 GTO as well as a 1970 El Camino. I would love to have either of these cars again; especially the El Camino. I purchased it for $1,000 and sold it three years later for $1,200 so, at the time, I thought I did well. Almost every day I think of that El Camino and regret my decision to sell it.

    About a year ago I was speaking to one of my cousins and he asked if I knew of anyone who wanted to buy a Dodge truck. I’m not a Dodge fan so knew I was not interested but asked a few questions about the truck in the event I came across someone who might be in need of it. When he told me what year it was he got my full attention; it was a 1946. And, after he told me this was the truck my Grandfather purchased in 1947 my interest peaked and before he even mentioned a price I told him I would take it off his hands.

    Dejection 46 Dodge
    The ’46 Dodge when we pulled it from my cousin’s garage.

    I remembered riding in this truck with my uncle when I was a child; my Grandfather did not drive anything other than a tractor. I sat in the middle with my uncle to the left and my Grandfather to my right.

    Left to right: My Uncle Ed, My Mom and My Dad. Taken we think in 1948.
    My 1946 Dodge – Picture taken, we think, in 1948. Left to right: My Uncle Ed, My Mom and My Dad.

    The truck has a colorful past spending the vast majority of its life as a farm truck and more often than not did not have a valid license plate. From the day my Grandfather purchased it the truck was bought and sold a number of times, but always stayed within the immediate family. For the past 20+ years it sat in my cousin’s garage waiting on his intent to rebuild it. The truck is 100% complete (and original) and considering its age and the life it led in very good condition. The price was better than right. After curiosity got the best of me I did some looking and found a number of ’46 Dodge trucks for sale.   The cheapest I found on line had a price tag twice the amount I paid and had no engine or transmission and the frame was from a Chevy S10 variant.

    OK, so thus far life is good. I have a classic in hand, paid very little for it and it is 100% complete and original. And to top that, this truck was my Grandfather’s truck. So, other than the fact that I sold the perfect classic car for $1,200, where does the dejection come in?

    Well, you’ll have to wait for part 2 get that information.