Anderson Independent Mail, S.C., Motor Mouth column

Jan. 31--Bill Crow's 1965 Chevy pickup brings back memories of an age when they were no-nonsense workhorses. In fact, this baby-blue example is about as basic as it gets.

Still, Crow usually gets a barrage of attention these days when he stops for gas, and some folks even pop out checkbooks. Crow, however, is firm in the fact that he's not selling.

This truck has been with him since 1971, when he bought it from preacher Jerry Mize. At the time he bought it, it had 40,000 miles. Now, the truck has accumulated about 150,000.

There's nothing automatic on the truck -- manual transmission (three-speed on the column), manual steering and manual brakes would likely scare off any novice driver. Under the hood is a 230-cubic-inch version of Chevrolet's stout inline six, an engine that powered their cars and trucks for decades.

Recently, Crow has been working to get the truck in like-new condition. He's overhauled the exterior, paying special attention to the paint job and wood strips that line the bed. In fact, he used lumber from Belton to line it.

The finish he used for the lumber was marine polyurethane, which he used eight coats. The cost per gallon, he said, was $188.

"My wife said I went a little overboard," Crow said.

He left most of the mechanical work to others, but he took care of the woodworking. The entire restoration process took about two years, with six months of it spent just at the body shop. The owner of the shop, Jamie Davis, did the work himself.

Crow has taken a lot of time and money making it as original as possible. At one point, he had a captain's chair and chrome wheels. Since then, he's restored -- at great expense -- the factory steel wheels and hubcaps and the original bench seat.

"When you start restoring something, one thing leads to another," Crow said.

Crow's always been a Chevy guy, going back to his first car, a 1950 sedan. His plans involve leaving the truck to his son.

So what's it like to drive a truck that doesn't even have power steering? Crow said he would have no trouble parallel parking it. On top of that, taxes and insurance are cheap. He enjoys driving it during the summer, taking it to a few car shows. On occasion he might take it out during the winter, if the weather is mild.

Like just about any owner of a classic car, Crow would fret over the potential for damage to his truck. A ding in the side from a shopping cart or sideswipe from a careless driver would set him on edge. These days, however, he's mellowed out about it and has his sights set a bit higher than his truck.

"Things of this world don't mean nothing," Crow said. "Your eternal soul -- that's what's important."

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If you'd like to have your car in the Motor Mouth feature or have an upcoming car show/cruise in, call Mike McMillan at 864.622.1704 or email him at [email protected].

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