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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fe26
There's a saying in our hobby/profession "It's only original once." Given that you have a rare demonstrator model, and the close family connection, with paint, signage etc. I would agree with cohammer60. Leave it as a time capsule. I'll offer an experience that many here have had at car shows, when people first get a glimpse of an original vehicle they'll walk right past all the beautiful restorations to get up close and personal with the real deal. The real deal can't be faked (although that's now become an industry all by itself) and people crave the genuine.
Your truck as it now stands is the living proof of it's history, change one thing and you change the story as it is written on the truck. Even what appears to be a bad part of it's history (left outside for years) has had a beneficial outcome in that the branches wore away some blue paint to expose the original colour, that can't be faked, you can't make up a history like that, and that history is also part of your story.
My opinion is to do the bare minimum, excepting brakes, lights, mechanical etc. But before you start take it to a local car show, you will be surprised at how many people will look and comment, also, some will tell you of parts they have tucked away, and you will hear their stories. This is valuable, admittedly you'll have to humour a few old-timers but you will hear some great things. After you have done this and got the truck back home, then comes the time to take your time to decide which way you want to go. Whatever your way is, good luck.
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Thanks so much to everybody, i'm overwhelmed at the feedback you fine folks have given me. This is great advice here, and eloquently said! The final decision will be a joint one, as my dad who actually rode in this truck as a kid with Pop Palmer, will get the final say just out of respect. I agree that there is no truck in the world that looks like this. I may take your advice and after it's drivable again, take it to local car display and just see what folks say and think about her. I wish the old signage was more readable, its really hard to see at certain light angles, but it's there none the less. thanks again to all!