Just when it was starting to look like the tide of classic trucks facing the fate of extinction through legislation in California was finally beginning to slow, we received some sad news from Northern California regarding yet another threat. It turns out the recent trend toward escalating scrap metal prices has inspired some wrecking yards to scrap out their inventory of trucks. Not too long ago, a friend called to tell us that when his brother dropped in on one of his favorite sources of rust-free truck bodies, he discovered the yard's supply of over 40 desirable vintage cabs had diminished to just a few examples. As he walked into the main compound, he witnessed a Tri-Five Chevy big-window cab suspended in the air hanging from the boom of a crane with its spindly supported roof crumpled beyond recognition.
Fortunately, not everyone in California with an inventory of old trucks and parts has succumbed to the temptation of fast cash. In fact, to the contrary, our friend Bob, proprietor of Bob's F-100 Parts in Riverside, California, might be described as a proverbial old truck conservationist of sorts. You see, through the last couple of decades Bob has amassed several acres of choice Southern California real estate and packed it full of old Ford trucks and parts that he's rescued from the clutches of blind progress.
Take a close look at some of the choice old Ford tin we photographed while we were on a recent visit to Bob's F-100 Parts, and see if you can't find a diamond in the rough on which to base your next project.