Project Pancho Villa - 1978 SWB

[BruthaMan]

Thanks guys and another thanks for all the encouragement from everyone.

I would be remiss, though, if I didn't thank my friend Kent. Kent did a lot of work on this truck and has worked for me and along side me for about eight months. All told, we did the restore in about 9 months or so. Kent took off for about three months. If it were not for him, this would have taken years to do.

If anyone ever wants to hire someone that *really* knows these trucks inside and out for pretty reasonable, I know a guy that will work his butt off!

Dennis, it was surreal driving, yet somehow a bit anti-climatic. It's hard to explain, but somewhat felt like we still had to keep working, do more, tweak this, make that better, etc. As if I was a bit hesitant that the moment had finally arrived. I look at the truck now and think back to what it was like when I first got it and it's hard to imagine that in less than a year, we pulled this thing off.

We started off this morning. Took it around the block nice and slow to see it how it would handle. Came back and made a few adjustments, then went for a few more blocks.

Came back and decided we could make it across town to get the exhaust system in. It was very gratifying seeing it up on the lift, getting the crossover pipe, then mufflers, then the exhaust tips.

It was loud as hell, without the exhaust! Heads were turning everywhere! I stopped and put $20 worth of gas in. We put five gallons in the day before in preparation, but figured I'd get 5-8mpg so better stop and add some more go juice!

It was disappointing about the seal, but we can replace it in the morning.

The hard part is going to be not driving it much, until after the Make-A-Wish Car Show here in March. I'm really not into the car show thing...used to do it years ago and it's a ton of work for little reward, but there is something special about this truck and I'd like to share it with others this one time.

After that, it will be my daily driver. Albeit, I'll be taking better care of this than any car or truck I've ever owned. It's new, built from the ground up, with new parts, blood, sweat and tears (yes, literally a few times!)