VINSON GRANDKIDS LOVE OLD FORD TRUCKS
Appreciation of old trucks is routinely enjoyed by “country folks”. However, this admiration is really universal, as my “city kids/grandkids” from Dallas can attest. My three daughters and five grandkids have grown up being driven in, as well as driving this Ford truck. On Wednesday, October 5th at 3:42 pm, our Vinson Family Truck (Ol’ Red) reached its 300,000 milestone. This truck was purchased by my father-in-law, J.W. Gilbreath, on September 15th, 1990 on the first week of his retirement. It was a working truck then, as it was routinely seen pulling his tractor and trailer around Whiskey Flats, Texas. Papaw drove it for 114,803 miles, and then Mamaw gave it to me in 2006. It’s been a daily driver since, with 185,197 additional miles driven and still going strong. This Ford F-150 XLT Lariat was top of the line in 1990, as it has power steering/windows/locks, EFI, cruise control, top line trim, etc. EVERYTHING still works perfectly, and I even break things every so often so I can work on ‘em.
Although many of the ancillary things, such as AC, water pump, power steering pump, etc. have been replaced, most of the truck is original. It’s never been in a wreck. The six cylinder engine proper has never been touched by a mechanic, and almost never needs any oil added between oil/filter changes. Pride in Ford is frequently and earnestly expressed, due to ease of doing normal maintenance things like brakes, shocks, etc. myself. I’ve purchased a lot of parts from LMC and found them easy to identify, acquire, and install. My wife periodically asks why I don’t buy a new truck and the answer is always….why? It’s perfect for me, as it fits like a glove and drives like a spinning top. She, every so often, glances at minor “character marks” her dad put on the truck and smiles. Then lovingly advises… “never fix or repaint those”.
The six photos provided don’t do this old truck justice. Evidence of this is from the frequent inquiries about selling from myriads of friends and strangers. I always tell folks that the reason Ol’Red is in such good shape is because it’s been in the garage EVERY night. Proactive routine preventive maintenance also sure helps.
My grandkids have all expressed interest in getting Ol’Red handed down one day. My oldest granddaughter can be seen in one picture longingly sitting in the driver’s seat. I’ve committed to passing the truck to her on her sixteenth birthday to be hers for high school driving. The four grandsons shown in the bed of the truck are all in queue and anxious to get their turn for High School experiences as well. It’s only 32 years old and by the time the youngest gets through with high school, Ol’ Red will be 45, and then she gets returned to me. I’ll still be able to get parts from LMC, fix things myself, and keep her on the road for great grandkids. Old Red is a true legacy family truck.
