1960 Ford F100 – Theresa & Sylvester V.

The Vintage Old Pearl

If you would have asked me as a child if I thought that I would ever own a piece of history, the answer would have been “Not really.”

When I was a child, I grew up working beside my father in the garage on various cars and trucks. We spent many days trolling from salvage yards picking parts for repairs. Not to mention, my father owned a lathe that we re-manufactured hard body parts for transmissions as a family side business. So, my interest in mechanics grew as I grew. I was not the typical girl that went shopping and played only indoors. I was outside sweating and getting dirty. I guess I was the son my father never had.

Fast forward to present day, my knowledge and enthusiasm for cars and trucks is credited to the years I spent as a child by my father’s side. Now, married to a man who also has a car addiction, has only added to the time I spend around cars and trucks. Typical days for us usually have a few auto discussions, sharing pictures from the internet, looking at the newest car/truck magazine received, and working on some auto project that needs to be checked off our long “To-Do” list.

A few years ago, one of my grandmother’s lifetime friends, Mrs. Maryjo Kwaikowski phoned my father, inquiring if my dad could do some minor mechanic work on her truck. Of course, my dad agreed to do the work. However, he would need to stop by her house to pick up the truck since the lady was not able to drive. So, the first person he called was me to help him. We arranged a time and went to her house.

Mrs. Kwaikowski was a friend of my grandmother’s and as a child, I remember many years my parents would take me along to the Kwaikowski’s house while they would visit and drink coffee. Her husband, Mr. Alec Kwaikowski, would drive up in the driveway and as if rhythmic clock-work, honk his horn as a signal he was home. I would gaze out the window and see his truck pulling into the wooden detached garage. Sadly, those years passed and so did Mr. Alec, approximately 8-9 years ago.

When my father and I arrived at the Kwaikowski’s residence, it felt like deja-vu. Every detail and memory came barreling back in my mind like a tornado. You know the saying “out of sight, out of mind”? That is true! My father opened the garage and to my exact recollection, there was Mr. Alec old truck still in the exact location and exact condition as I remember almost 30-40 years ago.

My dad started the truck and I followed behind him as we drove away to my dad’s mechanic shop. The drive was so nostalgic, thinking about the days when I was younger and all the time that had passed. I was amazed at the truck but not shocked at the least that the family still owned the truck.

While my dad was working on the oil change, tire rotation and inspection, Mrs. Kwaikowski contacted my dad and mentioned that she was getting up in age and she just couldn’t keep up the maintenance cost and insurance for a truck that no one drove. She wanted to know if he knew anyone that would be interested in buying it. My dad shared the news with me and I was sadden to think that after all these years, she wanted to finally sell the truck. And even worse was the thought of what would happen to this pristine truck if it was sold.

Days passed and I mentioned the truck to my auto-addicted husband, detailing the conditions and history of the truck. My husband was very cautious to not display any interest because he knew if he saw the truck he would be tempted and we were not in the position or market to buy another vehicle. For someone who loves cars and trucks, you don’t tempt the person with their weakness! Or else!!!

One day, my husband and I stopped by my father’s shop to do an oil change on one of our vehicles and I insisted my husband take a look at this classic truck. So, without any emotion, my husband obliged and walked with me to the garage bay. As soon as I opened the door, I immediately started to pinpoint the highlights of the truck and emphasized the miraculous condition the truck was in. You would have thought my husband had a drink of “Hate-r-aid” before he saw the truck. He was standoffish and very skeptical to look at the details I tried to highlight. Then, there was a quick response from my husband…standing at the front of the truck, I heard his voice say, “Pop the hood. Let’s see what the condition of the engine looks like.” I opened the door to the cab and started looking for the hood release, only to locate a button that I thought was the hood release. To my surprise, when I pushed the button a bellowing “AHHHH—WHOO—-GAAAAHHHH” sound echoed the shop. I immediately looked at my husband and he threw his arms in the air like ‘Hallelujah’ and loudly said, “We’re getting it!!!!”I questioned what I heard again.”Did you just say what I think I heard you say?”
“Yep, if you want this truck,I will get it for you!!!”

A couple days later, the truck was officially my truck and my piece of history to share to the automotive world. I decided to name this truck “The Vintage Old Pearl” in honor to the Kwaikowski Family. I choose the name of Old Pearl, because as rare as it is to find a real pearl, that’s as rare as it is to roll up a garage door and find a classic truck in original condition that was owned by one family for over 50 years and always garage-kept. The truck was originally purchased in Houston, Texas in 1960 from Tommie Vaughn Ford, which is still in operation today. The truck has resided in Houston since the Kwaikowski’s originally purchased the truck and I am officially the second owner.

Old Pearl has debuted at AutoRama for the past two years, along with other classic car and truck shows in Texas. Typically competing in “Barn Find” or “Original Classes,” Old Pearl has won several trophies and plaques at these events. Mrs. Kwaikowski and the siblings are proud to know that their father’s truck is being appreciated and enjoyed by enthusiast such as my husband and myself…

It would be a great honor to have this truck featured one day so I can give the honor to the original owners who took great pride in the care and maintenance of such a well-built truck that is now a classic piece of history that I call “Old Pearl.”

Theresa V.[lmc_story_gallery]