Tom Kelley Loc: Roanoke, Virginia

I really have to disagree with you there. Yes, it's awfully easy to go down "Memory Lane" and dream of when things including vehicles, were 'Simpler'.

I would be willing to bet that not one of these trucks have as much as 50,000 miles on it. I say this from my memories from my childhood when my father was a mechanic for the biggest Chevrolet dealership in the city at the time.

Cars and trucks then, well, when the old odometer reached 50,000, you either traded it or rebuilt the engine since most of them didn't even have an oil filter installed from the factory and some without a radio or heater.

If you'll take the time today to look in a salvage yard, you'll probably not find a complete body on any make or model since vehicles today are designed to last for at least 200,000 miles and beyond. I personally drive a 2004 Chevy Trailblazer with 163,000 miles and it's still a long way from retirement. Oh and yes, it does have an oil filter, radio(am/fm/cd player),heater and yes, even A/C.

I say these things to say this. I think people tend to believe what they want to believe and remember what they want to remember. It's sort of like the Man who makes makes $100,000 (not that i do)a year and complaining about gasoline costing $4.00 a gallon.

This is one of my favorites:

"This economy today is the worst it's ever been! I can remember when i was growing up, you could buy gas for 25 cents a gallon and a Coke for 7 cents."
It's called "Selective Memory". I will bet you if he REALLY!! thinks back, he can also remember earning 50 cents an hour.

Just my thoughts here, but i really do believe if most of us had the chance, we wouldn't trade our lifestyle of today for yesterday's for any reason. Relatively speaking, we're far better off today that 'Yesterday' and with technology going forward, will continue to be so. Let's enjoy!

Hando Rei Loc: Long Island New York

Lot of possibilities for restoration...Call Jay Leno maybe he can help !

Ive Fallen Loc: Chula, GA

I enjoy shooting old vehicles. My wife was looking over some of them and wanted to know why i took pictures of "rusty cars."

ward5311 Loc: Georgia

Love the shots. Great composition.

Mabarker Loc: Spokane, WA

I totally agree with you. But I think what makes these old trucks so special is the character they have. Trucks these days all seem to look alike. And I do believe that when we look at old things that look like they have been 'around the block' we would love to know their stories. (The same goes for people!) I bet if those trucks could talk they would teach us some lessons of the 'old days'. The old days sound romantic but they were hard. Looking inside of these old trucks didn't make me wish I could drive one or even be a passenger! We are spoiled with the room and conveniences we have now. We have a 1986 Chev. 1 ton pickup that we use to get wood in and it sports a big plow to keep our driveway clear of snow. I do not enjoy riding in that truck after being in some of my neighbor's new trucks which drive like cars. :) We also have a 1990 GMC full size 3/4 ton van that we use for camping. We are pushing 300,000 miles with all of its original parts except for a starter and alternator. And I am old enough to remember gas at 25 cents/gal. during a gas war.

bob_gevert Loc: NYC

The stories these babies could tell!! Nice shots!!!

islandbound

Oh, oh and oh , love the pics I would have a field day with picture taking there lucky you.
Islandbound

Bartulius Loc: Bristol, Ct

Seeing the car made me flash back to seeing Granny drive Tweety home from the pet store while Sylvester plots his next move.
Love your pictures of the old work trucks. I know how they feel. I have a few scratches, spots and leaks.

woodsliv Loc: Tehachapi,CA

I found these old guys on a farm in Maryland

Old Truck


another look


Half an old truck


Old truck Garlock CA


another old truck in Garlock


Old car in Garlock

Rick Loomis

I hate to be the one disagree with the comment that they do not make them like that anymore. I was born 1931 and as a yong child I can remember my talking to my my mom aboput his work as a mechanic, today they are technichans. Inn 1937 38 39 40 they were pulling heads and pans to replace piston ring with over size ones at 30000 miles, the same with main bearings on crankshafts. The bodies were so heavy those engine had to work hard to maintain speeds. Today I have a 1999 Saturn that has 115000 miles on it and all I have done is maintain it, ie oil changes nothing to grease batteries tires. No todays auto thechnology is way ahead of yester years.
Rick Loomis

ward5311 Loc: Georgia

I showed a shot of a great old Nash posted here last week on another forum. One guy posted that it was just "junk". I thought about rebuffing his comment, but I then remembered an old phrase "If I have to explain it to you you won't understand anyway". I don't think the OP was talking about their reliaibility and I thank her for posting these gems.

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

would not besuprised some would not have 50,000 miles didn't have to about every town had just about everything what you needed in youre home town store. things were shipped in on trains except groceries an you growed most of them in about every town. weren't any walmarts shuttin every local store down an weren't any need to go next town less you just wanted too. gas wars got down to 4 cents gal. an fudge bars were 5 cents. for a quarter get a cheese burger pepsi cola have 3 cents left for 6 little tootsie rolls.

ward5311 Loc: Georgia

No interstates...You might have to run over to "Mt. Pilot" once a month.....

rayford2 Loc: New Bethlehem, PA

This is true. However, cars and trucks have lost their personalities due to streamlining and minimal design changes.
A vehicle brand, and in most cases, the year it was made were easily identifiable years ago.
Many new cars and trucks often emulate a Hoover vacuum cleaner or a Darth Vader creation. Even different brands are "badge engineered" to look somewhat different from another brand.
I'll admit I'm old-fashioned. Automotive body styling on common vehicles doesn't exist anymore. In the name of "safety" every body part and bumper is integral to insure they destroy each other in a collision.
Keep the old car and truck photos coming.

Bartulius Loc: Bristol, Ct

I will go on record to say the newer autos have far more comforts and conveniences. Yes they are faster, last longer and are generally cheaper (by the standard of the time period) to operate and maintain.
However,I say the older autos had far more character in them. At least I could tell them apart.