Posted on 01/04/2015 4:53:02 PM PST by upbeat5
Normally when you buy a pickup you worry about things like depreciation, operating costs, and how long the truck is going to last. Not this guy he more than got his moneys worth with this one.
Back in 1976 when Bob Sportel was 24 he bought a used, rusting 1957 half-ton Chevy pickup for $75 because he needed a way to get to work. He just retired from his job after 38 years driving the same truck.
According to KARE-TV in Minnesota, Sportel originally tried to buy the truck for $50. His only extravagance as he puts it is four oil changes a year. Wed say he changes them with the seasons but Minnesota only has two: winter and mud.
Sportel has applied several layers of duct tape to the trucks upholstery. Bondo holds the front lights in place and rust holes provide portholes to the trucks underside. He guesstimates the truck has more than 300,000 miles on it because the odometer hasnt worked since he bought it. And, in spite of his wifes pleas, he has no plans to replace it
Maybe the best line of the news report? Soundtrack provided by Chevrolet. Sportel has no plans to sell the truck. Then again, who would buy it at this point?
Nissan stepped up and fixed an Altima advertised on craigslist. Maybe Chevrolet could do the same thing for Sportels truck? Well reach out to Chevrolet to see.
Pics at link.
My brother his 57, and still has some T-shirts he had in high school.
“I bought a 1984 Mercedes 300D in 2004 for $100. Ive **maybe** put $1,000 into it since than. Im still driving it.”
My 85 300TD has 357,000 miles on it. Owned it for 12 years.
My 95 E300D has 296,000 miles on it. Owned it for13 years.
Change the oil every 5k and change it hot.
My wife’s parents bought her a 72 Dodge Demon in October of 1971 when she was 18. We met and got married in 1977. In January of 2007 we sold the car. Original 225 six Holly 1 barrel with 186,000 miles on it. She drove it to work every day for 35 years. The transmission was rebuilt twice, it was reupholstered twice. In 1973 she had Midas put shocks and brakes on it. Midas replaced the shocks and brakes as needed for 33 years. They were happy to do it, thought it was cool.
You’re probably correct with your thinking. It’s amazing how the media can twist things.
I saw the local newspaper come into my workplace to tout a local fiber optic internet project. I worked there in IT, so I was familiar with EVERYTHING regarding the infrastructure of the place. Virtually everything they put in the paper wasn’t true(or a lie). The person they showcased as using it, DIDN’T EVEN USE IT.....ever! LOL
This was all over something as innocent as someone using a connection to the internet, that no one used. I saw first hand how you can’t believe what you believe in the media, even with a small town local “newspaper”. Not that I needed anymore proof apart from what I’ve seen at the national level.
Roadkat, your BIL is on to something there. My 2000 F250SD is over 185k, and still running well. Manual windows and mirrors; no tilt, no cruise, no power door locks, no fancy interior. Just plain, heavy vinyl, with vinyl/rubber flooring. Automatic trans is about the most advanced item on the thing (apart from all the crappy gubmint mandated clean air stuff). It gets used on the farm, mostly pulling wagons and such, but it also makes the trips to load and haul lumber, quad-runners, roofing, and whatever else we need to move.
No plans to get rid of it, at this point. Can’t see the price of newer ones...
Now that’s a fine looking vehicle. It has the patina of quality. Unfortunately, unless he fixed the body, it probably wouldn’t pass the vehicle inspection here in VA. Although it could be a farm or fishing truck.
That’s almost as good a deal as the oven I bought from Grandma’s estate for $40 back in 1995. Still working just fine, 20 years later. :)
What really irked me is that he had the chance to buy a Shelby Mustang. He kicked the tires, looked inside, then went over to the Rambler and chose that! The Rambler had pushbuttons on the dash for the transmission; sometimes the buttons got jammed or fell out and you couldn't get it into reverse or drive. Definitely embarrassing around friends.
Four bad window guides, 2 bad motors and one bad switch on my 94 Caprice. One bad window motor on 98 Park Ave. Online fora and used classifieds confirm that this is a universal problem on the automotive side, at least.
He’ll be laughing at us after the emp bomb.
“Unfortunately, it wouldnt pass inspection in Vermont. Nanny State, when it comes to cars.”
When I lived in CT, I registered my problem car in n Maine.
He traded that in for a ‘79 F150 (his last truck). He had those dam dogs with him everywhere. If someone (employee) had a truck when his plane landed he would grab it, and put the dogs in, LIMO’s would follow.
Reminded me of my dad....he bought a '66 Plymouth Fury II wagon and he made the dealer remove the radio because he wouldn't pay for it as an option. Some years later he installed a POS radio that he bought at W.C. Grant, that barely worked, and yes, we all hated that car and were all glad to see it go when it died at 110K miles in Buffalo winters.
true ... but I admire him. A dose of miserliness can certainly help one save for retirement
Same truck.... but how many wives?
several layers of duct tape holding threads together. good as new. /s
I consider a decent car something of a necessity. Even when I was a single gal of 20 I purchased a car that was nice and would never leave me on the side of the road.
That’s W T Grant
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