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1976 Ford F-150

Specs:

ENGINE: 300 cubic inch six cylinder

DRIVETRAIN: C-4 3-speed automatic transmission and 9-inch rear axle.

CHASSIS: The chassis is refurbished original with an 8-foot box with top rails, two-wheel drive, Explorer package including over-size radiator, oil-bath air cleaner, and transmission cooler. 

INTERIOR: All blue including the fabric upholstering, carpeting on the floor of the cab, dash pad, and dash. Newly installed Kenwood sound system with dual speakers.

BODY & PAINT: Body is styleside. Paint is PPG Deltron 2000 basecoat with PPG Vibrance clear coat.

TIRES & WHEELS: Sumitomo 255/55R18 mounted on Vision Legend 8.5x18 chrome wheels.

SPECIAL FEATURES: A chromed and lighted rear bumper and a chromed grill frame. Ogden Chrome did the outstanding work on the grill frame!

We met Gayle Eaton when he sent us the grill frame for his 1976 Ford F-150. Unfortunately, he had been to another plater in Idaho, and his grill was destroyed. He contacted Ogden Chrome and sent us what was left. We determined that the piece could not be salvaged, so we located and paid for another grill, chromed it for him, and sent it back. This is what he has to say about his experience.

"Refurbishing my '76 Ford F-150 took 22 months. The last major piece needed to complete this project was the grill frame. Before I contacted Ogden Chrome, I was unfortunate in that my original grill frame was ruined by another so-called chroming facility in Idaho. I wanted it chromed, and Ogden Chrome did a fantastic job, allowing me to have my project completed. I bought this truck new in March of 1976, and it looks better today than it did then. The chrome grill frame really adds the eye appeal. I was blessed to find Ogden Chrome who not only did fantastic work but also did it in a relatively short time frame. The folks at Ogden Chrome located, paid for, and put show-chrome quality finish on another original Ford Grill frame. I am extremely pleased with the end product! Ogden Chrome kept true to their promise of high quality work. If I have any more chroming to be done, I know without a doubt whom I shall call."

Before he retired in 2005, this truck was his work and transportation vehicle for 29 years. Now that the old truck has been refurbished, it leads a sheltered existence in his garage, hauls no more heavy loads, and comes out on fair weather days to grace the roads with its unique style. It may receive a few more upgrades over time like the newly installed sound system of last week. What a life!

Gayle's truck has already been on display in the Northwest Motorfest car show in Boise, Idaho, earlier this month. He drove "Old Blue", his affectionate name for the truck, in the Capital City Cruise and in Boise, and it received many compliments and was the subject of television cameras for a goodly time. The thrill of that has motivated Gayle to enter more local shows later this year!

Old Blue has been fitted with 18-inch Vision Legend chrome wheels and fitting tires, a dual exhaust, tinted windows, new chrome bumpers, and polished chrome bed rails. Gayle's son, a professional auto painter in Boise, gave Old Blue its new shine with PPG Deltron 2000 base coat and Vibrance Collection VC5200 clear coat. Boy, how it shines!

Thanks to Gayle for sending in his wonderful story!

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