It Begins

Browsing Craigslist in spring 2008, I came across an ad for a 1955 Dodge pickup truck in nearby Wisconsin for $600. The ad read (sic):

1955 Dodge 4x2 rustfree calf. truck half ton, - $600
1955 dodge 4x2 shortbox std cab rustfree from california, no box, engine or trans, otherwise complete roller, steering and brakes all hooked up, this is a very solid truck that would not take a ton of work to make a rat rod, clear title. Has factory corner windows. $600 cash. To reach me please call xxx-xxx-xxxx, thanks delivery possible, may take trade? 3/10/2008 Clayton, WI

Now just a few weeks earlier, I had driven from Minneapolis to Kansas and back with my brother to pickup a '52 DeSoto Hemi Firedome 8, also a roller, that I purchased on eBay. It was very clean and rust free and the plan was to put a motor and tranny in, paint it flat black, and just drive it as a rat rod.

However, when I found the ad for the old Dodge, I fell in love. Old trucks have always had a special place in my car-guy heart and the fact that this one was so unique (i.e. not a much more common Ford or Chevy), so rust free, and so close to home, I had to have it!

So I went to look at the truck and found it to be in the good condition described. A deal was struck with the seller and my brother and I headed back to his farm to get his pickup truck and dolly to bring the Dodge home. Gas was expensive at the time so we elected to drive my car initially, but in the end we burned more gas having to go back for the tow vehicle! Oh well.

Incidentally, the DeSoto is now for sale. Click here for a pic. Email me and I can send additional pics and details if you're interested.

Below are some pics of the truck on the day I picked it up. As we loaded it onto the dolly to tow home, the skies opened up into a thunderstorm and we got drenched!