Does anyone know this Deuce? M135

[steelypip]

The only big unit of 'stuff' that's easy to strip is probably the bed. If you have a crane or serious jacks and lots of cribbing it can be had off pretty easily. The good news: it certainly weighs more than 300#, so you're definitely underweight once it's off the truck. The bad news: you are making two trips, as I'm sure you'll want the bed.

 

[Ratch]

I'm sure I could get a local shop to pull the bed for me for a couple bucks, too.
Two trips will suck, but if I leave it at my dads, it can probably stay there indefinitely, and I can go pick up the bed some day down the road. Maybe if I get it running and driving, I'll drive it back up for the bed.

 

[SteveKuhn]

According to this thread, bed (arguably) = 1400 lbs (or 2K);

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?27663-Weight-of-Deuce-partsI

If you're thinking of going that route, it's a good thread to get you thinking. Tires, tailgate, bumper, racks, bows, etc. You could probably find 3K that would fit in your trailer with a little shoe-horning. Tires alone are close to 1K and you could ride blocked and chained after it's on. I'd be very circumspect about the tow truck's hitch if it's class 4 or below - and brakes - and you took it whole.

Steve

 

[rustystud]

I had a similar thing with a CCKW truck. The truck appeared abandoned but after tracking down the owner I found out it had belonged to his son who was going to restore it. The son had died in a car accident years before and the father could not part with the truck since it reminded him of his sons dream. The truck just rotted away.

 

[SCSG-G4]

I had a similar thing with a CCKW truck. The truck appeared abandoned but after tracking down the owner I found out it had belonged to his son who was going to restore it. The son had died in a car accident years before and the father could not part with the truck since it reminded him of his sons dream. The truck just rotted away.

That's when your story changes a bit to say that you want to restore it and put words to the effect of "In loving memory of xxx x xxx, etc." on the truck and promise to send pictures every time it is displayed, in a parade, and so forth. Even better if the owner is local and you ask them to ride in it for the parades. It then becomes a living (moving) tribute, which is their stated intention, without them having to do the work. No guarantee it will work, but it might get them thinking, and they might come around to your proposal.

 

[steelandcanvas]

I had a similar thing with a CCKW truck. The truck appeared abandoned but after tracking down the owner I found out it had belonged to his son who was going to restore it. The son had died in a car accident years before and the father could not part with the truck since it reminded him of his sons dream. The truck just rotted away.

I talked to a friend of my Wife's one time about a few classic cars she had rotting away in the barn. I was trying to swing a deal with her on a '61 T-Bird Convertable. The cats, rats, mice and birds were using it for a toilet, and suggested she sell it so it could be restored. Her husband had passed away several years before this and she stated she couldn't part with it because he was gone. I asked her if she thought her husband would approve of them rotting away in the barn, or out on the street restored. Never did get an answer. Not to be insensitive, but attachment to items that belonged to the deceased is complicated to understand.

 

[Ratch]

I made some headway yesterday. I reached the property owner, who said it belongs to his son, whom he has not spoken to in several years. He had no phone number, but gave me his name (which was a different last name, seemed a little odd), and I've been unable to have much luck so far.

The father told me several people, including museum's have tried to buy it, and the son won't part with it. So I'm guessing I'll not get anywhere either, and this thing is going to rot away where it is.

It's too bad, I've started to really like the M135 more than the M35 series now...

 

[Ratch]

Grief does a lot of weird things to a person. To us, it's a total waste of the vehicle. To her, the vehicle is just a pile of shaped metal that means nothing without her sentimentality, and restoring it might be like dismissing his memory. It's why some parents that have lost children will leave their bedrooms completely preserved; if you change anything, it's like you're erasing a little bit of what's left of them on earth.

My mother in law won't move from the area her daughter is buried, and I couldn't get it for a while. The body's just a shell, where it's buried is not really that important to me. But then I pictured one of my kids dying, and burying them in my town. Then I pictured moving to another state after that, and I can completely understand my mother in law's perspective now. It would be really hard to move.

 

[welldigger]

My father is a big classic car and hotrod guy. He has always said if you can see it from the roadside and there's no for sale sign it's probably not for sale.

If it is for "sale" they always want quadruple or more of what it's actually worth.

I don't mean to sound insensitive but when I'm buying something from someone, their memories and sentiments mean nothing and are worth nothing to me. If me and the owner can't make a deal I thank them for their time and move on.

 

[rustystud]

That's when your story changes a bit to say that you want to restore it and put words to the effect of "In loving memory of xxx x xxx, etc." on the truck and promise to send pictures every time it is displayed, in a parade, and so forth. Even better if the owner is local and you ask them to ride in it for the parades. It then becomes a living (moving) tribute, which is their stated intention, without them having to do the work. No guarantee it will work, but it might get them thinking, and they might come around to your proposal.

Your advice is very good, many years late, but still very good. I was a lot younger then and could not empathize with him. Now years latter with my own son I can see his point of view.

 

[rustystud]

I made some headway yesterday. I reached the property owner, who said it belongs to his son, whom he has not spoken to in several years. He had no phone number, but gave me his name (which was a different last name, seemed a little odd), and I've been unable to have much luck so far.

The father told me several people, including museum's have tried to buy it, and the son won't part with it. So I'm guessing I'll not get anywhere either, and this thing is going to rot away where it is.

It's too bad, I've started to really like the M135 more than the M35 series now...

I too like the M135 series. I have 2 that are just parts trucks, but someday I would love to get my hands on a restorable one.

 

[SteveKuhn]

There was one in late winter over by Pittsburgh that looked very nice, full canvas (not vinyl), correct paint, and a 105. $6K obo. Boy, do I wish I could have done that. Just looked and it's no longer being advertised.

I've seen a few around that were F/S and quite nice, and the handyman speshuls show up with fair regularity. I do like the truck's lines.

Steve

 

[Ratch]

This thing has appeal because it's already too screwed to be worth much, and it's something my sons and I can spend time together working on.

If I found one in much better shape really cheap, I'd be into it, but $6k is too much for me.

This is really just seeing a potential opportunity and pursuing it. I abandoned the idea of owning a deuce or a 5-ton a few months ago, at least before retirement. And by then, fossil fuels will be $300 per gallon.

 

[Ratch]

I too like the M135 series. I have 2 that are just parts trucks, but someday I would love to get my hands on a restorable one.

That's the funny thing about it. The lines are not hugely different from the M35, but they're different enough to say "built when the '55 Chevy was new."

 

[m-35tom]

That's when your story changes a bit to say that you want to restore it and put words to the effect of "In loving memory of xxx x xxx, etc." on the truck and promise to send pictures every time it is displayed, in a parade, and so forth. Even better if the owner is local and you ask them to ride in it for the parades. It then becomes a living (moving) tribute, which is their stated intention, without them having to do the work. No guarantee it will work, but it might get them thinking, and they might come around to your proposal.

that's a good idea, whoever owns it. i have been given, for free, lots of old equipment and stuff because i tell them i am going to use it as opposed to it just rusting away or being sold for scrap. problem is you have to act interested in it and they they may see $$ signs, that's when i say goodbye, and they change their minds.

 

[JasonS]

Grief does a lot of weird things to a person. To us, it's a total waste of the vehicle. To her, the vehicle is just a pile of shaped metal that means nothing without her sentimentality, and restoring it might be like dismissing his memory. It's why some parents that have lost children will leave their bedrooms completely preserved; if you change anything, it's like you're erasing a little bit of what's left of them on earth.

My mother in law won't move from the area her daughter is buried, and I couldn't get it for a while. The body's just a shell, where it's buried is not really that important to me. But then I pictured one of my kids dying, and burying them in my town. Then I pictured moving to another state after that, and I can completely understand my mother in law's perspective now. It would be really hard to move.

I buried a son nine years ago. You let it go and focus your energy on the things you can change and the lives of your living children.

 

[rustystud]

I buried a son nine years ago. You let it go and focus your energy on the things you can change and the lives of your living children.

I am truly sorry for your lose Jason. If I where to loose my son I don't know if I could take it.

 

[Ratch]

Topping this thread for a quick update, and since I "found" another deuce today...
I was back in the area of this M135 earlier this week, and took some time to walk around it more thoroughly.
It's a worse rust bucket than I originally thought...probably not restorable. I was going to hop on the step to take a pic of the cab interior, and decided not to, as I probably would have broken it off...

Also, forgot to update this thread last year;
- I found pics I'd taken of this truck in 2001. It has not moved since at least then.
- I found the owner and his business name, but have been unable to contact him. For some bizarre reason, all my calls to him go fast-busy or "all circuits are busy now". I meant to try it from a landline when I was up there, but forgot, as it's not something I'm interested in now.

Annnd of course I didn't take any pics of the rust...

 

[m1010plowboy]

Early Deuce M135

My M135 is the best ride I've ever had. She's getting ready to go camping at a weekend airshow event......



....and I hope some day you get to do the same thing. They're not hard to work on and the restoration is worth every minute. All vehicles that are important enough to 'fix up' some day should at least be "mothballed" properly so should I grab my mop and pail and come down there to help clean this thing up? Wouldn't that freak out the owner if we pulled a Chip Foose on this boy and "Overhaul" him. Best of luck, it looks like it's almost new.