1023km @ 60 mph - Calgary to Mossomin
It was one of the best and most relaxing drives I’ve had. It took a while to settle in to going what probably averaged to 55mph while cruising, it was good, we need that sometimes. So much landscape to witness. When you get going the same speed as a train going your same way, the landscape seems to shift and whip by so that your eyes focus on a further away part of it- kind of something like how vertigo works. The mind wanders off and you’re going to have to be alone with it. If you can’t be, then maybe you should look at that.
Between country music, Norm Macdonald, and taking photos, we would just stare at it all. I would tuck in behind a passing 18 wheeler, get behind their big wind pocket, feel the wind calm down and the gas peddle become light as we slipped along in the wake. You can feel the easing on the engine and transmission as the wind loses its purchase on you. Truck has huge mirrors and a fisherman’s cap on the back with roof racks. I think the roof racks were bolted on after the fact but I’m not sure. It’s good that Truck has a ton of torque because it needs it just to go normal speeds.
The transmission is short, sweet and really good at what it does. It pulls things and hauls things. 55mph/88KMH is a great place to be in this truck. 60 works and 50 does too but you gotta listen to it. The engine will tell you where it is comfortable. These aren’t hot rods the way some people think they would be- it’s basically a farm implement when you are running it stock. I don’t care I like it. The 300 CID straight 6 is a special engine, amazing in a certain rev range and eternally durable if taken care of. The oil is always black which is normal in these engines from what I assume is some blow by from the pistons. Beyond its range you are going to run into problems much quicker then if you leave it jogging along at its purpose-built-pace that it seems like could keep up forever. The whole trip I counted that we passed a total of 4 cars. I’m fine with it.
You don’t have to look long at this Truck to realize that 1968 was a different world. The race to the bottom wasn’t in full swing yet. Quality products, while not overly sophisticated by todays standard, were still quality. It’s a farm truck, sure, but this thing takes minimalism to another level. There are 4 controls for the driver: lights, ignition, choke, wipers. That’s it – the heat is in the middle and there is no radio. Metal dash, metal floor and interior door panels. Its bare and its beautiful. We vacuumed it out about three times but leaves are still pouring out of the floor vents and every now and then when a transport truck goes past us the cab fills with leaves. Don loves it.
Saw some burning Fields and so we drove along the concession road to take a look. Once engulfed in smoke we tried not to back off the narrow road into the ditch to get out of there. Turns out farmers do controlled burns to help with the new crop. We thought the world was ending.
In the parking lot of the TwiLite Inn in Moosomin my truck is backed in next to a 2015 model – I’m sure it has the V8, don’t even know if they have a 6 anymore- but it looks good. It’s big and I bet it’s more efficient then my truck is and more comfortable. I have to wonder though; will it be around in 50 years? Do they make cars to last that long, or is it planned obsolescence? 50 years is a wild amount of time for any vehicle to be around, even one that has had the charmed life my truck has had. Anyway, that’s it for tonight.
