<p>I can’t say for sure whether the 1965 2-wheel-drive IH 1200 pickup that’s in the garage will become my backup daily driver or not. It is in the garage, on jack stands, with its hood raised. And Kate has become accustomed to parking her new Subaru wagon outside. So for now anyway, the 1965 owns the bay and is, at least in spirit, on its way to becoming a runner. But if it isn’t to be the parts truck, then what truck is?</p>
<p>Aaron, my friend and partner in old-truck crime, sent me an email the other day. The subject line went something like this: “Your New Parts Truck.” The email was heavily burdened with images of ancient wooden-framed trucks and automobiles that were so old that I certainly didn’t recognize them. I thought Aaron was making a joke, but when I got to the last three images out of about 30 there it was. </p>
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<p>The truck is probably a ’63 or ’64 judging from its grill. It has a long step-side box. The hood and doors are missing, but the left-front fender appears to be in pretty decent shape. I can’t tell whether it is a 2- or 4-wheel-drive model or whether it is an 1100 or 1200. I suspect it is a 1200. It is impossible to tell though, because it is covered with all kinds of vegetation.</p>

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<p>I looked at the photos with interest and, like a normal person, put it out of my mind. But the truck just wouldn’t stay there. I dream now, each morning, of how excellent it would be to secure this third IH pickup and all of its good parts. I find myself daydreaming about which engine and which transmission this old truck is equipped with and whether it has the 4.10 or 5.88 rear axle ratio.</p>
<p>So I just Googled its location and found the owner’s phone number … it’s not that far away. Should I go for it?</p>
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<a href=”http://www.grit.com/biographies/oscar-h-will” target=_self>Hank Will</a>
<em> raises hair sheep, heritage cattle and many varieties of open-pollinated corn with his wife, Karen, on their rural Osage County, Kansas farm. His home life is a perfect complement to his professional life as editor in chief at GRIT and Capper’s Farmer magazines. Connect with him on </em>
<a title=Google+ href=”https://plus.google.com/u/0/117459637128204205101/posts” target=_blank rel=author>Google+</a>.</p>