Whether we’re travelling in town on local business, on extended road-trips for fun or even on assignment (rare these days thanks to the pandemic), we’re on the lookout for vintage metal. Be it an old school day to day driver or restored classic, we play no favourites. Be it never to turn a wheel again or a mangled jumble of parts, again, it matters not. Here we’re looking at a 1942-1947 Ford Pickup and it’s completely random find. This series of truck sometimes called a Jailbar Ford for the distinctive grill and we can see why. There’s a real looking out from a prison cell vibe to it.
So we’re out on some errand – is that an old…truck? Sure is! Comes a hard stop then soon after the photos below are captured.
While the decorative front licence plate (from Ontario) says 1942, it’s probable this truck is from the last couple years of production instead when output was at the highest. During World War Two many vehicles were earmarked for governmental bodies with few made available to the general public, so it would take a year after the conflict ended in 1945 before the flood gates opened in that regard. Still, it might be an ex-military truck for all we know.
Although we don’t know about this example, they could be had with the firm’s legendary Flathead V8, the first engine of this configuration to be mass produced. In spite of being a little rough around the edges, with a few dents and such, this old pickup does appear to be driven often.
That spectacular sky makes it a cherry on top kind of evening and the driver on the passing bus seemed to nod in agreement. Captured at the height of the lockdown (first edition) they had not a single passenger on board.
That same week… 737-200 – an old airliner in retirement.
Short Subjects: reports that are short and sweet in nature. This is stuff that’s interesting enough in itself, but not deserved of the full on BIGDoer.com treatment. It’s silly little snippets, vignettes and likewise things of that sort. You’ll be in and out in no time.
Beer Parlour Project Friday🍺: The Thorsby Hotel, built in 1929 & a photo by the manager's 7 years old daughter. More below 👇
Agreema politely asked if she could shoot a few photos & we obliged. A dark environment like this is very unforgiving & the camera she used quite temperamental, so she did an amazing job. We're out of work as photographers! Great food at this place, BTW!
Beer Parlour Project Friday🍺: The Tofield Hotel, built in 1912 & patron Lana, shot on Rob's vintage view camera. More below 👇
She's a sweetie & met her late husband at the hotel. The building from the alley side hasn't changed much since being built but the front brickwork is now covered by siding.
Crossley slides (unrestored), an unnamed fellow snacking on Sun-Maid Raisins - mountains of BC - 1950s. More below 👇
The distinctive red box is instantly recognizable! The location is listed as the Whitewater Valley & we think it's in the Sandon area close to Retallack. Perhaps some of our friends out that way can confirm. Sandon B.C., would Hal know? Crossley frequented Sandon so the location makes sense. Note the (mine?) road cutting across the slope in back. The slide is dated 1955 in the catalogue but 1956 on the frame.
Shout out to: Jason Sailer. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
An old section of Highway #6 (BC) in the 1970s & 2021 - it's the second most shared post in our entire history! More below 👇
The original photo shows the road about the time it was decommissioned. This was always a troublesome section & so it got replaced by a new route further up the hill. While it hasn’t seen a car in eons, it remains overall in reasonable shape, save for some rockfall in places like this. These came down about ten years ago.
Happy Holidays from Off the Beaten Path w' Chris & Connie. Thanks for your continued support & encouragement. More 👇
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CPKC's Holiday Train from a few nights ago. Rather than fight the crowds to see it, we wanted something a little more intimate. A bit of hike, but we brought mulled wine to help us keep warm while waiting. It's not a great shot & originally we had no intent to share it here, but what the heck.
Trainspotting is like fishing. It's not about the catch but rather getting out. If a train comes by, great, but if not, we had each other & a chance to get away from the day's problems. That's a BIG win in our books...even if we did freeze our bottoms off. _______
Out exploring with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
I live just down the street and see that truck out on the road every now and then. What colours in the sky!
The sky was alive! It did look like the truck was drivable and I guess it would have to be if sitting on the road. What a cool old ride.
Amazing!
I know, how awesome!
Love that sky!
I know, it really popped that evening.
I would ride the number six bus to work early in the pandemic and would often be the only passenger the entire trip. What a crazy time.
Strange days are these!