Featured Site: Classic Pickups
By: Mike Connell
The Internet is a gateway and means of access to countless
sources of information. A new user or old, one still faces problems
when faced with the scope of the content it houses - Where do I look?
How long do I look for . . . before realizing the object of your search
may not be there at all? As unlikely as that is these days, it can happen,
so it helps to know the "where to look first" lists for the subjects
you are interested in. With this in mind, groups put together directories
- the same idea as a search engine, but one which relies on more specific
applications and deals in focus areas.
Having said this, I find myself scrolling through some
sites o' interest in my automotive directory of choice, the AutoGuide.net.
Harking back to an earlier diatribe, some may recall Thom's Vintage
VW Site - still high on my list! In that same vein I have stumbled across
a statement which piqued my insatiable automotive interest: "EVERYONE
LOVES AN OLD TRUCK!" Really! Wow! Why wasn't I told . . . or is this
them getting around to telling me? I wonder for a second where they
did their polling, and then resign myself to admitting that the statement
has done its job, gotten me interested and, in turn, set my modem blinking
in the effort to find ClassicPickups.com
and see what they're all about.
Here we have a very personable site, one suggestive of a chronicling
intent and asking compatriots to "come join us" in our attempts to share
and record a father and son's love of classic trucks. Set up in Hastings,
New England, we learn that the primary initiative for this forum was
the shared interest between father and son in restoring old trucks.
This transformed into providing a forum and source of information for
those who share the same interest.
The link which seems to hint at the most promise would
be "current projects". This details their current, future, and hopeful
restoration efforts in addition to those already completed. At present
we can see their efforts are in restoring a 1956 International Harvester
S-100 Pickup and a '78 Pickup and a '78 Ford F-150 Supercab Pickup.
To be honest, I don't know much about trucks, new or
old, but thankfully there is an index listing all the trucks one would
ever have a question about: Willys, Studebakers, Hudsons along with
Chevy/GMC, Ford/Mercury, etc. Each provides an organized setup featuring
chat rooms, photos, technical info, truck shows, and classifieds for
purchases and sales - don't leave out much, do they!
Within this jungle of truck trivia and pickup paraphenalia
there are both general and specific references to other sites of interest
of interest, a calendar of events and some promotion of some restoration
services with descriptions of their specialties (such as babitting and
camshaft grinding!): Hart's Autoparts with 72 years of experience in
camshaft regrinding . . . that's a lot of regrinding, you must admit.
The Babbit Pot, with 20 years of rebabbiting under their belts. Not
quite up to Hart's 72, but 20 years doing anything is quite a bit.
There is also some merchandise being advertised . . . both classicpickups.com material and associated bodies. When you narrow
down the uses for this site, one realizes that it provides excellent
ad. space for enthusiasts with parts to buy or sell, not to mention
being a convenient and efficient forum for discussion and subsequent
relay and trade of classic truck tidbits.
In short, this is a great site to hit. It made me stop
and think, maybe even cringe a bit when witnessing the scope of information
that exists which is solely concerned with classic pickup trucks, but
get beyond that and it actually is interesting and you could see why
it would pickup.
One key aspect I liked, due mainly to my ignorance
of the subject and just because I like to read, was their electronic
news stand. Here I can either purchase or find out where to find reading
material that can cater to the tragically ill-informed, those newly
interested, or the classic experts and aficionados - any and all.
This site has great character in its goals, accomplishments,
and ability to not get too self-absorbed, not to mention its underlying
aim of promoting the interest and fun found in their chosen "hobby"
or business. They have found a place to pursue, promote, and share their
knowledge, love and interest in one area - classic pickups.
I encourage any to take a look. It doesn't matter if
you don't know much about trucks, but I guarantee you'll know more for
the visit.
