All the Marks of a Classic
By George L. NittiAt the 2015 American Towman Expo in Baltimore, one of the pageant entrants was a light-duty truck owned by Parke's Auto Repair and Sales of Elverson, Pa.
Part of their contingent since 1986, it was among the industry's first self-loaders, made by Jerr-Dan.
"Back then," said owner Parke Bishop, "you bought directly from Jerr-Dan because they did not have distributors. They had an assembly plant in Greencastle, Pa. This one has sentimental value for me. Since then we've purchased a few other self-loaders."
Entered in the light-duty pre-2014 category, this '86 Chevrolet 3500 1-ton C30 series with an '86 Jerr-Lift has all the marks of a classic.
"Around the time we bought it, the self-loading wheel lift was replacing the L-arm," said Bishop. "It was an upgrade while hydraulics came into play. The early models were not as refined as they are today. Back then, the self-loaders had to be right on center to pick up a car. Today's don't require such precision."
Had Parke waited another year to enter this truck at the pageant, it would have qualified for entry into the classic category.
The self-loading Chevy, with its original red background and airbrushed graphics, has a '50s feel, evoked in part through its metallic striping, classic colors and old fashioned lettering.
"My son, Parke Jr., should be given a lot of credit as he had a lot to do with the custom colors," Bishop said. "Also, credit should be given to our graphic designer, Danny Nunnemaker, who resides nearby."
Its classic quality is exemplified in the older body style of the Chevrolet, which at the time had a flat front.
"It was a common stylistic feature that extended from 1973 to 1988. In '88 Chevy started another style," Bishop said.
Add to it the original Jerr-Dan aluminum bumper and a wireless Microtronics device to control the hydraulic lift, you might say this baby's a classic, all the way.
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