Dennis_MN Posted May 29, 2009 Report Posted May 29, 2009 Merle arrived about 2:30 and I arrived at 3:00. He trucked across southern Wisconsin crossing over around Winona, while I traveled down the great river road until downtown Minneapolis then took Cedar ave down to Apple Valley and the GrandStay Hotel. My camera is down in the truck so Merle will need to reply to post a picture. Hopefully a few more Pilothouse trucks will show up at Mopar in the Park tomorrow. Dennis Sullivan Monticello,MN Quote
Merle Coggins Posted May 29, 2009 Report Posted May 29, 2009 It was a nice drive around Madison to pick up Hwy 14, which I followed all the way up through LaCrosse, across the Big River into Minnesota and up along the river on 14/61 towards the hotel. My leg was getting stiff and tired. I sure do miss my cruise control on my regular pickup. Well, here we are... Representin' the DEPTCA Quote
Jim Gaspard Posted May 29, 2009 Report Posted May 29, 2009 Both your trucks look great! Thanks for representing the Forum with class acts. Merle, how did your Fluid Drive transmission work on the highway? Do you see a big difference in accelerating between three gear fluid drive and the standard three gear clutch shift? I can hardly wait to get mine back on the road....someday. Jim in Dallas Quote
woodscavenger Posted May 29, 2009 Report Posted May 29, 2009 You know they had the big drag race showdown with the P-15s........who is going to take bragging rights with these two? I wanna see a video!!! Whose gonna throw down the gauntlet? Quote
Bradley S. Posted May 29, 2009 Report Posted May 29, 2009 Your trucks do look great. Thanks for the pictures. Almost got the seat that Merle sold me redone. If I have my way I will join you before I too many more snows. Don't trust mine to go too far right now. Good news it is No. 1 on my priority list. Quote
buds truck Posted May 29, 2009 Report Posted May 29, 2009 both of you should be proud. those are fine examples of a great truck. Quote
Merle Coggins Posted May 30, 2009 Report Posted May 30, 2009 My truck ran great. I can't comment too much on comparisons between a direct clutch drive and my fluid drive, but I did notice while riding with Dennis over to the show grounds to get registered that my truck is a little smoother taking off. I guess the slippage in the fluid drive does smooth out things a bit. Norm, I should have thought of that. For many miles I was nearly WOT driving up Hwy 61 into a stiff head wind trying to maintain at least 60 where the speed limit was 65. Otherwise there was so much up and down hills that constant throttle regulation was needed. I think Dennis would beat me in a drag race. His stock 4.10 gears would have a big advantage over my 3.73's. However, I probably have more top end if it were an endurance race. I believe Dan Olsen is coming up tomorrow, so we should have at least 3 Pilot House trucks in the show. I'm looking forward to meeting him too. Merle Quote
Dave72dt Posted May 30, 2009 Report Posted May 30, 2009 Merle, you were only about thirty miles from me when you went by on Hwy 14. Had hoped to attend the show without the truck ( it's in pieces) but am working this weekend, 2nd shift on Sat and Ist on Monday. Maybe next year. Quote
Young Ed Posted May 30, 2009 Report Posted May 30, 2009 Merle what are you guys doing later Ive got some projects going on and no old cars handy/roadworthy Quote
Merle Coggins Posted May 31, 2009 Report Posted May 31, 2009 Merle what are you guys doing later Ive got some projects going on and no old cars handy/roadworthy Just sittin' 'round the hotel tonite. Gonna walk next door to Culvers for a little desert later. Then back to the show tomorrow. Come on by as a spectator. Lot's of nice stuff to look at. Merle Quote
Jim Shepard Posted May 31, 2009 Report Posted May 31, 2009 Those are two fine looking trucks. Great job guys... Quote
Dennis_MN Posted May 31, 2009 Author Report Posted May 31, 2009 (edited) There were 5 Pilothouse Pickups in one spot today, I say one spot because there was one with one heck of a turbocharger and a V8 but it was in the Street Rod section. There was another one in the spectator parking lot and he didn't think it was of show quality. The Red 53 is from Moorhead,MN, the Grey and the Brown are from Farmington, the Green is from Wisc and the other Red is mine from Monticello. Don Bunn and his son Rob stopped by to admire the Pilothouse trucks This one was a former firetruck with only 1700 miles There were two of these Sweptsides in the area and 5 Red Express Trucks Day one by Dennis Edited May 31, 2009 by Dennis_MN missed a mark and forgot where I live Quote
Merle Coggins Posted May 31, 2009 Report Posted May 31, 2009 Here's one of the other ones. He had a Paxton type supercharger mounted in the bed that was belt driven off of a PTO shaft coming back from the engine. His radiator was also mounted behind that. And here's the '59 and '57 Sweptside trucks. And even a truck of Young Ed's vintage... sittin' in the weeds. And this highly modified '41 Power Wagon See more at http://s66.photobucket.com/albums/h254/mac2026/Mopars%20in%20the%20Park%2009/?start=all Quote
Merle Coggins Posted May 31, 2009 Report Posted May 31, 2009 A while back there was discussion on what was correct for painting the "DODGE" lettering on the tailgates. Well... I discovered today that out of 5 Pilot House trucks in attendance, none had painted letters. Hmmm.... Quote
Merle Coggins Posted May 31, 2009 Report Posted May 31, 2009 Merle, you were only about thirty miles from me when you went by on Hwy 14. Had hoped to attend the show without the truck ( it's in pieces) but am working this weekend, 2nd shift on Sat and Ist on Monday. Maybe next year. Approximately where did I pass within 30 miles of you? You've probably told me before where you reside, but I forget. And OH YEA... I almost forgot to show you guys the coolest pic from today. Here's a view you don't get every day. Quote
Don Coatney Posted May 31, 2009 Report Posted May 31, 2009 Looks like you all had a grand time. Good to see the trucks (and cars) on the road. I spotted 2 P-15's in your photobucket. Any idea who the owners are? Quote
Merle Coggins Posted May 31, 2009 Report Posted May 31, 2009 Sorry Don, I didn't memorize all the names on the windshield cards. If I see them again today I'll try to remember to write them down and see where they hail from. Merle Quote
Young Ed Posted May 31, 2009 Report Posted May 31, 2009 I'm pretty sure I know the guy who used to own the cream coupe. He tried to flip it for a profit at back to the 50s a couple years back. I imagine he sold it by now although I doubt for the 15K he was asking. The 49 you can just see in the corner of that shot is a nice custom. I've met that guy a few times. Quote
carl b51 Posted May 31, 2009 Report Posted May 31, 2009 The trucks looked GREAT and looks like you had a wonder time. Carl Quote
Dennis_MN Posted June 1, 2009 Author Report Posted June 1, 2009 Looks like you all had a grand time. Good to see the trucks (and cars) on the road. I spotted 2 P-15's in your photobucket. Any idea who the owners are? See of you can read his name on this card. He is from Bloomington MN and the car is original and it is forsale Dennis Quote
MBF Posted June 1, 2009 Report Posted June 1, 2009 Anyone remember going to a show or cruise with your MoPar truck and they'd put you in the back some you were some type of ugly stepchild? Now you're starting to see rows of MoPars commercial vehicles of various vintages. I think we've started a movement-let's keep the momentum going! Mike Quote
Merle Coggins Posted June 1, 2009 Report Posted June 1, 2009 The class we were in was "'93 & older Van and Truck". We were together with the Little Red's and the other trucks we showed. Also, the class right next to us was the "E" Body Cuda's and Challengers, so we got lot's of traffic and a lot of people with an interest in the trucks. Merle Quote
48Dodger Posted June 1, 2009 Report Posted June 1, 2009 Awesome pictues Guys!!! I saved almost all of 'em. 48D Quote
Dennis_MN Posted June 1, 2009 Author Report Posted June 1, 2009 I noticed that most of the really cool cars had a model of their car displayed under the hood so I was happy when this model showed up so that I could display under the hood as well. And a couple of other models watching the world roll by Quote
DanOlson Posted June 1, 2009 Report Posted June 1, 2009 I see I missed a great show. Like I told Dennis on Friday, I had a medical emergency with my mother and did not feel comfortable leaving Rochester over the weekend. Barring another emergency, I will be at Back To The 50's. Dan Quote
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