Staff writer
Curtis Hancock of Marion has the front of a 1953 Dodge B4B truck setting out in front of the Country Inn Motel so he can work on it when he gets a chance.
“I’m not fortunate enough to have a garage to work in,” the 30-year-old said. “I have taken it all apart. Now, I just have to figure out how to put it together again.”
Hancock got the vehicle off Craigslist and has been looking for parts ever since, so he can start the frame-off restoration.
“You can’t find the parts in car magazines or anything; they don’t go back this far,” he said. “You’ve got to go to the junkyards and hope that they’ve got what you’re looking for.”
The car enthusiast said the biggest issue he is facing right now is trying to find an engine. But that does not stop him from imagining what the car will look like in the end. He wants it to have customized bodywork, with bigger wheels, a better paint color and an updated interior.
“The original paint color that was on these cars was horrible,” he said. None of them looked good. I haven’t decided what color it’s going to have, but I want everything to match. I want to keep as much of the original feel as I can, but there’s a lot I can do to make it look better.”
Every so often, Hancock gets in the vehicle to get the feel of the car but never stays long because of the vehicle’s shape.
“It doesn’t even have a seat,” he said. “I’ve got to work on that.”
The truck’s bed is currently housed in an outbuilding on the motel property, along with several other parts. Hancock said he is looking forward to finding parts for his vehicle and is planning to visit area junkyards until he finds the parts he needs.
“They’re out there somewhere, I just know it,” he said.