Our “Old Red Truck”

This 1966 Chevrolet Truck began its life in Italy with the U.S. Air Force. Its journey back to the U.S. of A. ended at a surplus sale in Danville, Virginia, where my mother bought it for $400. It was Air Force blue, old, and slow, but it ran with a straight 6 engine and a “3 on the tree” manual shifter.

Fast forward a few years to 1983. My wife and I were newlyweds, and I was finishing up my degree at NC State University. I needed transportation, and my mom had just the thing. I drove the beat-up truck to class where it was the oldest car on campus. I took my wife out on dates, picked up groceries, and rolled it in a ditch commuting home. Like the tank that it is, it survived. My pride recovered eventually. 

Life moved on and my family and I ended up relocating to Florida. The truck stayed in the family—my cousin drove it for a while, my three girls rode in the back of it when they’d visit Grandma, and it spent a little time just sitting in the weeds. When we came home to North Carolina, my mom was ready to pass the truck on. I still remember the embarrassment as she drove up to drop it off, a mile of cars inching along behind her. I parked it and tried to keep snakes out of it, unsuccessfully. 

My mom passed and the truck was on its last legs. I decided to invest $2000 in the truck to get it road worthy so I could flip it for $4000. My girls had different plans. My middle daughter, Hillary, thought it would be neat to take a picture in her wedding gown with the old truck. Then my youngest daughter, Meredith, got engaged and thought the truck would be a great backdrop for photos of herself and her bridesmaids. Now—the truck was dirty, had a one-of-a-kind duct tape seat, and rusted. I added a NCSU red paint job, and it successfully carried the Bridesmaids to the wedding. I realized I could never sell the truck. It was in too many family pictures, but there was a small problem—I was the only one who could drive it. I realized I had to invest to make it drivable for the grandkids. After searching for a Rebuilder, I found one just up the road. That’s where Scott Sheets with L&S Customs in Prospect Hill came in. 

I shared my vision for the truck with Scott. Over the course of a few weeks, his team replaced the motor, installed power brakes, and converted it to an automatic transmission. What an experience when I drove it for the first time with the 350 cu. Chevy motor!

My mom would have never dreamed that her granddaughters would take any interest in this old truck. Now, my photographer/videographer son-in-law takes drone footage of it cruising down our road—the very same road my mom took to deliver it. My beautiful Bride of 39 years and I take it downtown or use it to surprise my grandkids with a visit. This old truck is a family treasure and will be for years to come.

We are honored to share the truck with you for special events, weddings, and photo shoots to create your own special memories. Thank you!

Allen Burchett
Old Red Truck Owner