Darryl turns back clock on Chevy truck
IT’S thanks to enthusiasts like Darryl Brooks that vehicles from days-gone-by get new leases on life, such as his 1942 Chevrolet truck.
“I bought it in 1970 just to knock around on the farm out near Binnaway. When I sold the farm I thought I’d do it up.
“It wasn’t until recently that I finally got started on it and it took about 18 months.”
The former Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) transport vehicle would have been used to haul bombs and similar cargo.
“I did go to the Australian War Museum with the Chassis number, and went to Canberra to see if I could find out the history of this particular truck, but unfortunately a lot of the RAAF’S records were destroyed,” Mr Brooks told Dubbo Photo News.
When he first bought the truck, it was without an engine, and the truck set Darryl back a cool $5 (yes five dollars).
He soon got the vehicle into running order and introduce some creature comforts like carpet and upholstered seating.
“The truck wasn’t originally blue. It was more a sandy colour like the seats,” he said.
The tray is original and some of the planks of wood are from scrap timber Mr Brooks has had for 30 years.
Darryl loves telling the story about his restoration and is available to share more details at the Golden Oldies Truck Tractor and Quilt Show at the Dubbo Showground on Saturday, August 11.
Gates open from 8.30am to 6pm with proceeds going to local charity.
Admission is $15, kids under 15 are free.