1951 Ford pickup brings back childhood memories for its owner

The vintage pickup Louie Didier has lovingly worked on and shows off at Midnight at the Oasis isn't just any vehicle.

The little 1951 Ford pickup is the exact year and model as the one his father used to have as his farm truck when he was growing peanuts.

Asked what happened to that truck, Didier shakes his head regretfully. "I don't know where it went. In those days, people ran them into the ground, then sold them for parts or for a new one," he said. "Not too many hung onto them."

That's why when an opportunity came up to buy the one that now graces his driveway, Didier jumped at the chance.

He explained that a friend knew he was looking and that friend had a friend who had one for sale.

That was about 10 years ago.

"It's just one of those things you do in your 50s," Didier said, obviously pleased with his treasure.

Besides, there was the inspiration of a brother who was restoring an old truck and other people he knew who either were into hot rods or restoring vintage vehicles.

It's a passion he hasn't always had as much time to devote to as he would like. But one thing is for sure - when it's MATO time, it's showtime for the little truck.

When he bought the truck, it was in fairly good condition, Didier said. The previous owner had it painted sea foam green - an original color for that year and model.

"Then he decided he wanted to go faster so he bought a Porsche," Didier said of the previous owner.

One big job Didier undertook was to redo the wood truck bed. A friend helped him get a good piece of oak and today the bed gleams as beautifully as a polished hardwood floor. He also redid the upholstery.

With the truck looking good came the challenge of making it run the same way.

Didier said when he bought the truck, it had a six-cylinder engine, which he replaced with a flathead V-8 rebuilt motor. The flathead V-8 motor was used between 1943 and 1952, he said, "so it's an old motor."

Fortunately, Didier has a mechanic in the family. His son-in-law, Cody Cowsert, does a lot of the mechanical work, which seems to never end.

"We're constantly working on the engine," Didier said. "I know about enough to be dangerous. Cody learned from some good consultants."

Didier estimates he's put about $20,000 into the truck, between buying it and parts, saving where he can by doing the work himself.

At that, he's restraining himself.

"To do what I want, I would probably need another $25,000," he said. "I would like the engine to run perfectly. I could buy a new engine for $12,000, but I haven't wanted to spend that much."

Still, he's never regretted having the truck, he said. And once again, he's looking forward to showing it off at MATO. Part of the fun, he said, is swapping stories and information with other vintage car owners and admiring each other's vehicles.

The truck serves as a reminder of his childhood, he said, and he likes preserving a little piece of automotive history.

And it gives him something special to share with the next generation. His granddaughter Isabella, 4 at the time, rode shotgun for her grandfather in last year's MATO parade.

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Joyce Lobeck can be reached at

jlobeck@yumasun.com or 539-6853.