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By Tom Olsen

Fathers, sons, and cars…or in this case, a truck. Does this sound like a familiar theme? More and more, when visiting with people about their project vehicle, it seems like fathers are commonly an influence in the hobby. Russ Evans’ dad was certainly an influence in his beautiful 1925 model TT truck, but it was a bit of a wandering route that brought things to where they are today.

Many of you will recognize Russ Evans from the very popular “Under the Hood” radio show, the largest nationally syndicated automotive talk show on the air. The show has been operating since 1990. Russ has been with the show since 1998, when he started with Nordstrom’s Automotive Recycling in Garretson, South Dakota. In addition to his work on the radio show, Russ is the manager of Nordstrom’s Installation and Diagnostic Center.

Russ’s Ford model TT one ton truck was purchased new by Telischak Trucking, a firm near Detroit, Michigan, where the Evans family lived at the time. Telischak only drove the truck for about two years, then it was parked for the next several decades, often serving as a stationary “billboard.”

Fast forward to 1975, when Russ was six years old. Russ’s dad, Ron, was operating his own insurance business in Livonia, Michigan at the time. Ron bought the old truck to promote his insurance company, and to serve as a father-son project. With the help of John Locke, a neighbor who just happened to be a Ford engineer, Ron and Russ did a basic restoration on the truck. The truck was put in serviceable condition, painted, and adorned with “Ron Evans Insurance” signage.

In 1983, the family moved to Texas, and the truck was brought along. However, Russ felt like something a little more modern suited him. Russ’s dad found a Mustang GT500KR that needed major repairs. Russ started rebuilding the Mustang to get it ready for street use. Ron tried to be involved in the Mustang project, but Ron and Russ argued about how best to do the project. Ron eventually backed away from the Mustang, and let Russ do his own thing. Through all of this, the truck project sat neglected.

Ron Evans passed away in 1987, and Russ sold his Mustang and the truck to “Richard” in Longview, Texas. After moving to Sioux Falls in 1989, Russ realized that he would like to get the truck back. Even though the relationship Russ had with his dad was strained as a youth, Russ knew the truck offered the connection to his father that he desired.

In 2011, after several years of searching, Russ eventually got in contact with the current owner of the truck. This fellow had a vast Model T collection, and the entire collection was going to be sold at an auction. Russ promptly arranged to go look at the truck, and headed to New Orleans with a trailer in tow. Upon arrival, Russ explained to the owner all he, his dad, and the truck had been through together.

Russ was determined to own the truck. In fact, the price wasn’t discussed until after it had already been loaded on Russ’s trailer. Upon finally discussing price, the gentleman sold the truck back to Russ for the same price Russ had sold it to “Richard” so many years ago! The seller apparently believed the truck was going where it needed to be. Russ says the seller “considered it an investment in my soul.” A tropical storm was approaching New Orleans as Russ drove there, and much of the trip was in heavy cloud cover and rain. The sun came out as Russ pulled into the owners’ driveway, and stayed out until he drove away; definitely a sign from above!

Upon bringing the truck home, Russ began a proper total restoration. In all the years of sitting, the truck hadn’t rusted, but it was caked with dirt and grime. Dakota Media Blasting stripped the paint down to bare metal. Every nut and bolt was removed from the truck, and every panel was taken apart. Jacob at AJ’s Automotive in Canton did all the rivet work and fabricated the panels that required replacement. AJ’s also did all the other metal repair required on the truck. Russ’s friend, Wayne Womble, also did some extensive metal fabrication on the truck’s doors, after which he sprayed the truck with “Apple Green” paint. Russ painted the black areas of the truck himself.

To honor the truck’s heritage, Russ left things original whenever possible. The underside of the bed boards and their support boards are in original finish, as are the floor boards. The side boards had to be replaced, so Russ found vintage wood, aged it appropriately, and re-created the original side boards. The front seat that Russ and Ron had re-upholstered so many years prior was left as it was. Russ says the smells and the parts he and his dad handled so many years ago brought back fond memories of growing up.

Russ and John had overhauled the 4-cylinder, 20 horsepower engine years before, and it was in fine shape. All other mechanical and electrical components of the truck were rebuilt during the restoration.

Russ says in the days when he and his dad weren’t getting along well, his dad once told him “you never finish anything!” When Russ did this restoration, he did it as his dad would have wanted to see it done. He takes great pride in the fact that the truck is finally properly restored, and believes his dad is smiling up in heaven when looking at the truck.

August 2016

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