Bruce’s Last Ride - Rebuild the Lost Truck

My name is Ben. My brother and I are not of the sort who would normally resort to crowdfunding anything - we were raised in a home where you stood on your own two feet, and made do with what you had. I’m starting this page to help with costs in rebuilding our father’s old truck, and we’re running out of time.

Our dad, Bruce, was always the strongest, most stubborn and capable man I have ever known. He is now in the final stages of a terminal neurological disorder, called Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). PSP has robbed my dad of his retirement years, his quality of life, and his hopes and dreams for his golden years. It’s also very likely related directly to the trade that he spent most of his life perfecting.

My father was a lifelong car enthusiast, hod rodder and motorcycle nut. He tinkered, rebuilt, bought, drove and sold, and then moved onto the next. My dad followed his craft and became an automotive technician, and spent decades pursuing excellence, while working hard to support his family. His 1966 Suburban was one of the most storied vehicles he’d owned.

In 1987, we moved from our home near Hanna, Alberta, to Ontario, to be closer to family. My parents packed my brother and I, our belongings and a huge moving truck and headed East. My grandfather helped with the drive, but they couldn’t bring the Suburban on the trip. The truck was sold to a friend, where it lived out most of its days in hard field use, and eventually was parked next to a slough.

This truck, known as “The Pail”, holds an incredible number of memories for all of us. My dad built, broke, and then rebuilt it with his own hands. It acted as my parents’ wedding vehicle. It made countless trips across Canada to see family. It was the first “family vehicle” I recall from my childhood, as I fondly remember us sliding and spinning across the frozen sloughs in Alberta. There are stories that are only now coming to light, as I’ve grown old enough to appreciate them, and the statute of limitations is long expired.

I located, purchased and transported this truck to Ontario a couple years ago. It was in rough shape, having sat untouched for a decade. My brother and I immediately set to work, involving my dad where and when we could. My father, who can no longer speak, nor walk, let alone hold a wrench, was delighted to see the old relic back. His excitement shone through his usual expressionless state.

The motor was long-seized and ruined. The body was in poor shape - the old girl needed a lot of work, but it was worth it. It had sat for years with windows down partway - the floors and rockers were long gone. My brother and I were determined to rebuild it with our own hands, with the end goal being a safe, functional machine that I could drive my dad around in.

Time, however, is not on our side. My dad is now in palliative care in a nursing facility, at only 68 years of age. His mind is still sharp, but his body is completely failing him. Once the strong, kind man who would lend a hand to everyone, he’s now reliant on others for nearly

We’ve replaced the engine, sourced parts galore, repaired, reworked and battled against parts rarity, but also the balance of time and budget. We’re hoping for assistance in moving the project along more quickly, while it still matters most. I’ve connected with a local automotive fabricator and rebuilder, who have provided us with a ballpark to get it back to a state where it could pass a safety. We’re asking for help only to make this functional enough to safely drive, and take my dad out in the old “Pail”, before time runs out.