"We started collecting Ford,...
"We started collecting Ford, Chevy-GMC, and Dodge trucks to use for developing plans and fitting parts for customers as far away as New Zealand. Our museum-yard of over 80 vintage trucks covers most of the rest of the property. We also sell some of these experienced parts. We're continually expanding our offerings, from Australian Utes to fire engines to military vehicle restorations."
For as long as we can remember there has always been a copy of the first edition of Custom Classic Trucks shelved somewhere here in the office, but we're darned if we can find it now. Who knows, maybe the trash man snagged it and sold it on eBay, or perhaps the dog ate it. If our memory serves us well, Bruce Horkey and his company: Bruce Horkey's Wood & Parts, Inc., has been a valued advertiser since that very first issue. That said, we figured it was high time CCT readers got a good firsthand look at Bruce's family operation, and since nobody knows the story better than Bruce himself we'll use his words.
A '66 GMC gauge cluster customized...
A '66 GMC gauge cluster customized by Bruce Horkey and company.
"Between production runs of...
"Between production runs of bed kits, we're willing to fill custom orders for hardwoods other than our standard oak and ash. Other species are available like African mahogany, Bubinga, purpleheart, teak, padauk, cherry, walnut, hickory, and most domestic hardwoods."
"Here's a custom fuel fill...
"Here's a custom fuel fill access door that is all cut from the same board, almost disappearing when closed. A special aluminum support rail allows the door to pivot open when touched by finger."
"This is a traveling box display...
"This is a traveling box display we put together to use at the shows we attend to help showcase many of the parts and accessories available to our customers."
"After graduating tool and die school and a hitch in the U.S. Navy I started my working career in 1975 doing cabinet and furniture work. In my spare time, I built a hot rod '54 Ford F-100 and realized a need for replacement bed parts and accessories for the truck rod restoration hobby. By 1985 the truck parts portion of the business had grown to the point where we (my wife, Mari, and brother Ted) decided to go full time on building truck parts and phased out the cabinet portion of the business.
"Fulfilling a truck guys dream included purchasing an acreage near the rural southwestern Minnesota town of Windom. We initially built a 40x60-foot shop and over the years, have grown it to a 12,000-foot complex of specialty areas, enabling our crew to provide personal service to satisfy our customers."