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HARDWAY stories AND some from OUR FOLLOWERS
THE STORY OF "OLD BLUE" - My 1954 3600 series Chevy Pickup.
Purchased in 2010 by me, sold in 2013, just bought it back in late 2021
My first Grand - Henry - probably just before the truck left in 2013
Grandson Georgie saying goodby in 2013.
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At daughter Cara and Josh's wedding at the winery 2012
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At the Holden Green Tavern in Cassopolis, MI
Some of the original pictures as it came from Nebraska
ON THE LEFT - OLD BLUE BACK WHERE SHE BELONGS - HARDWAY GARAGE!
Being born in 1954 I always wanted a Chevy Pickup made in 54. Cruising Craigs list regularly, in mid 2010 I spotted this blue one in Galien Michigan. The doors were not on it and in the ad the owner said it was a project. It was posted quite a while so I eventually decided to take a ride as it was in the old mushroom hunting area Dad, brother Roger and I visited back in 1960ish. Wife Paula accompanied me for the ride. Upon arrival the seller had it pulled out of the barn for inspection. To my amazement there was not a rust hole in it - anywhere. He fired it up and showed me the receipts for the engine rebuild. He said that his Dad and his brother DROVE IT HOME from Nebraska in the late 90's. He had the engine rebuilt along with a few other items, put new wood in the bed, painted it the original color and painted everything else in flat black rustoleum as his intent was to use it as a work truck around the farm. He explained that his Dad passed away a few years ago before he got it done and he decided it was time to sell - when I asked about his Dad he didn't seem interested to talk much about it. His price seemed reasonable. Not having the cash and being the procrastinator I am, I said I would think about it and got in the car. Paula says - "what do you think". I said "it's a very solid truck - sadly his Dad passed before he could finish it". I started the car - and Paula says - "you can't leave that here" - it needs to be finished". Of course I perked up like a dog waiting for a treat from the UPS man.
From 2010-2013 I got it all back together, painted the interior as original, new weatherstrip and window felts, restored the heater, fixed a couple of suspension issues, all new brakes, upholstered the seat - and drove it. Changed out the 456 “stump puller” rearend for a more drivable 410. I hauled trees, kids at the pumpkin patch, and took it to a few cruise-ins. Other priorities in 2013 came along and I decided to sell it. Regretting it as soon as it was on the flatbed on it’s way to NC.
In November of 2021 I was telling my son Drew that the only vehicle I ever regretted selling was Old Blue. (short of my 1961 Corvette and 1969 Nova SS396) but that’s another story from a long time ago. So I decided to shoot the guy I sold it to a text – asked if he still had it – he said YES – he also said that within the last couple of hours he had actually told his wife that he was considering selling it! SO I BOUGHT IT BACK!!! He made a few improvements such as converting 6v to 12v, a new windshield and a new clutch and tailgate- as the original gate was full of dents. Danny took really good care of it and was pleased that I was getting it back. Thank you Danny.
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My first 1965 chevelle SS. Bought from a long-time owner in southern Ohio.
Originally evening Orchid and white interior. Not sure why but he painted it -(poorly) a ruddy brown which was really showing it's age. It may have even been just a primer. Took the front end down to the frame horns. Refreshed the 327/250hp engine. It had a previous rebuild. Installed all new front suspension, springs, tie rods, A arm bushings, etc., and brakes. New AC condenser and evaporator. Swapped out the Powerglide for a Turbo 350 tranny.
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Original 327 with Automatic, PS, PB, and Factory AC.
Vintage American Racing Torque Thrust wheels and Mickey Thompson Sportsman radials.
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Factory rims and dog dish 1965 caps.
Brought to you by - Hardway Garage of course!
wayne and dwayne
Dwayne was a good friend of mine back in the 70's in "The Pines". where we grew up. At leat 5 years younger than me but we had connection. I worked at Newman's Sinclair and he hung out there. This picture is from I am guessing 1974 or 75 when I bought my first new vehicle - a 1974 Chevy 3/4 ton pickup. I had graduated form Purdue with an Associates degree in Electrical Engineering technology and started a new job at US Steel in Gary as an Electronic Technician. Dwayne was a great friend and way beyond his years. I was working at the Sinclair and Dwayne was hanging out. We were probably drinking RC Cola and eating Hostess Suzy Q's. It was a Sunday morning. I let Dwayne help me at times - pump the gas. A gentleman drives up and asks for a fill up. Dwayne gets right to it and the man asks "Young man - why are you not in Church this morning?" To which Dwayne replies - "I don't have to be in church to be close to God. I can be close to God sitting next to a tree in the woods."
A Tommy Bartlet ski show boat ? - brought back to life.
1958 Chris-craft maiden voyage
Stay Tuned for all the details
bernie's general auto parts - an icon of michigan city
Bernie himself in front of the store.
Bernie’s General Auto PartsBy Wayne Pecina
Some things are engrained in a young person’s brain while growing up. You may remember a grandparent’s particular words or an incident at school, or an embarrassing moment -good memories, bad memories, places and things all remind us of our youth and possibly a simpler time as seen by us now.
Places are my favorite. There is no substitute for an engrained visual image as it alone can represent an entire book of words. As a kid growing up and still today cars are an important part of my life, so much more than just “transportation”. If you knew something about cars, you really knew something. Cars were, and still are the ultimate “freedom machine”. Back then we had no competition from video game aficionados. Even today how macho is a video game? It’s not even real. It could make you fat and lazy. How many fighter pilots are we going to need in the future anyway? One of my favorite places was “Bernie’s General Auto Parts”. Having loved cars and doing all the required repairs myself I spent a lot of time at “Bernie’s”. Or as Bernie said when he answered the phone “GENERAL!!” What any car buff would not give for a “Bernie’s” today. Every car guy had his Bernie’s in the 60’s and 70’s. Mine was a stand-alone, concrete block building across from the paper box factory, faded white paint, two dirty double pane picture windows separated by a small alcove with three stairs leading up to a wood framed glass door with a bell on it. Bernie didn’t even have a lit sign. The name was just painted across the top of the building. You parallel parked in front, on either side of the street.
You enter the building and the door sticks; you give it a good shove, the bell rings. Not an electronic bell but a set of Christmas bells hanging on the top of the door. Enter the smoke-filled space and make your way to the counter down a rubber mat path lined with dead batteries, brake drums to be turned and the occasional carb waiting a rebuild. The old wood floor creaked so bad they really didn’t need the “doorbells”. If you had experience, service was somewhat of a cat-and-mouse game. There were no numbers to take. As you enter you scan the counter looking for who might be available, maybe Bernie himself on a very good day. But all his employees were friendly and knowledgeable - usually. Then you realize - Oh-oh - the only guy not busy is that new guy who has to look up everything in a book. (Back then nothing we had was new or even original so looking up parts in a book was futile). He’s eager for sure, but don’t make eye contact or you’ll be stuck with him… so you hang back and look around over by the daytime running lights and reflectors. You peer out toward the counter looking for the right moment, when Bernie himself or maybe Larry was free – the security cameras of today would certainly see you as a shoplifter. Auto parts stores today contain only the “new guy” scenario. If you can’t look it up in a book forget it. The problem is that we had new engines in old cars with added or removed accessories, the book just doesn’t work. Once when I needed a fan belt I got stuck with the new guy. I took in the belt measurements and the guy said what’s it for? I said just give me a 1/2” wide and 47” long belt, he again said what’s it for? I said it’s for a 1961 corvette with a 1971 307 engine and a 1968 Camaro alternator. He then said “what were those dimensions again?”.
The stuff hanging on the pegboard walls behind the counter never changed. Not just the “do not ask for credit” sign or the “make sure brain is in gear before opening mouth” sign but the dusty, outdated merchandise on the faded cardboard posters. What is the shelf life of an auto air freshener anyway? How about those little flints in a round circular plastic thing for a Zippo lighter? Old Zippos are big now so I am sure there are NOS flint packs on EBay.
Now Bernie was a great guy. He always took whatever time was necessary to deal with people (including me) who seemed to often not have enough information. Bernie also possessed a great sense of humor and a toupee. Ever walk into a place where your eyes go to the exact same thing every time and you read what it says every time, you know what it says yet every time you see it you read it again? Why do we do that? Bernie had a pint-sized irregular shaped, gray-black rock sitting on top of the cash register. The hand-written sign taped to it said: “Rock from moon landing - not for sale” It was easy to see that the “not for sale” was added later. Do you think people kept asking him if he wanted to sell it? Anyway, I read the sign on that stupid rock every time I saw it never quite sure that the rock was not the real deal.
Bernie’s machine shop was always a mess with engines and parts scattered everywhere. John the machinist was super friendly and extremely knowledgeable. And again, always available to answer a stupid question from a punk like me. That shop rebuilt my 1967 Camaro 350 short block which I installed in my 1964 Nova SS.
Bernie was an icon in the car parts business, and he always drove a new Cadillac, so it is possible he knew people in high places. He always stopped at Newman’s Sinclair in the Pines where I worked to fill up the Caddie. I assume maybe on his way to Chicago.
Some things are engrained in a young person’s brain while growing up. You may remember a grandparent’s particular words or an incident at school, or an embarrassing moment -good memories, bad memories, places and things all remind us of our youth and possibly a simpler time as seen by us now.
Places are my favorite. There is no substitute for an engrained visual image as it alone can represent an entire book of words. As a kid growing up and still today cars are an important part of my life, so much more than just “transportation”. If you knew something about cars, you really knew something. Cars were, and still are the ultimate “freedom machine”. Back then we had no competition from video game aficionados. Even today how macho is a video game? It’s not even real. It could make you fat and lazy. How many fighter pilots are we going to need in the future anyway? One of my favorite places was “Bernie’s General Auto Parts”. Having loved cars and doing all the required repairs myself I spent a lot of time at “Bernie’s”. Or as Bernie said when he answered the phone “GENERAL!!” What any car buff would not give for a “Bernie’s” today. Every car guy had his Bernie’s in the 60’s and 70’s. Mine was a stand-alone, concrete block building across from the paper box factory, faded white paint, two dirty double pane picture windows separated by a small alcove with three stairs leading up to a wood framed glass door with a bell on it. Bernie didn’t even have a lit sign. The name was just painted across the top of the building. You parallel parked in front, on either side of the street.
You enter the building and the door sticks; you give it a good shove, the bell rings. Not an electronic bell but a set of Christmas bells hanging on the top of the door. Enter the smoke-filled space and make your way to the counter down a rubber mat path lined with dead batteries, brake drums to be turned and the occasional carb waiting a rebuild. The old wood floor creaked so bad they really didn’t need the “doorbells”. If you had experience, service was somewhat of a cat-and-mouse game. There were no numbers to take. As you enter you scan the counter looking for who might be available, maybe Bernie himself on a very good day. But all his employees were friendly and knowledgeable - usually. Then you realize - Oh-oh - the only guy not busy is that new guy who has to look up everything in a book. (Back then nothing we had was new or even original so looking up parts in a book was futile). He’s eager for sure, but don’t make eye contact or you’ll be stuck with him… so you hang back and look around over by the daytime running lights and reflectors. You peer out toward the counter looking for the right moment, when Bernie himself or maybe Larry was free – the security cameras of today would certainly see you as a shoplifter. Auto parts stores today contain only the “new guy” scenario. If you can’t look it up in a book forget it. The problem is that we had new engines in old cars with added or removed accessories, the book just doesn’t work. Once when I needed a fan belt I got stuck with the new guy. I took in the belt measurements and the guy said what’s it for? I said just give me a 1/2” wide and 47” long belt, he again said what’s it for? I said it’s for a 1961 corvette with a 1971 307 engine and a 1968 Camaro alternator. He then said “what were those dimensions again?”.
The stuff hanging on the pegboard walls behind the counter never changed. Not just the “do not ask for credit” sign or the “make sure brain is in gear before opening mouth” sign but the dusty, outdated merchandise on the faded cardboard posters. What is the shelf life of an auto air freshener anyway? How about those little flints in a round circular plastic thing for a Zippo lighter? Old Zippos are big now so I am sure there are NOS flint packs on EBay.
Now Bernie was a great guy. He always took whatever time was necessary to deal with people (including me) who seemed to often not have enough information. Bernie also possessed a great sense of humor and a toupee. Ever walk into a place where your eyes go to the exact same thing every time and you read what it says every time, you know what it says yet every time you see it you read it again? Why do we do that? Bernie had a pint-sized irregular shaped, gray-black rock sitting on top of the cash register. The hand-written sign taped to it said: “Rock from moon landing - not for sale” It was easy to see that the “not for sale” was added later. Do you think people kept asking him if he wanted to sell it? Anyway, I read the sign on that stupid rock every time I saw it never quite sure that the rock was not the real deal.
Bernie’s machine shop was always a mess with engines and parts scattered everywhere. John the machinist was super friendly and extremely knowledgeable. And again, always available to answer a stupid question from a punk like me. That shop rebuilt my 1967 Camaro 350 short block which I installed in my 1964 Nova SS.
Bernie was an icon in the car parts business, and he always drove a new Cadillac, so it is possible he knew people in high places. He always stopped at Newman’s Sinclair in the Pines where I worked to fill up the Caddie. I assume maybe on his way to Chicago.
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That's me in 1973!
★★★★★
US 30 dragstrip - merrillville, in
