Story of a Classic: Ron’s 1969 Ford

As summer calls us to the open road, collectors eagerly prepare their vehicles for sun-soaked drives. In this edition of our Story of a Classic series, we meet Ron, a collector whose lifelong love of trucks led him to acquire a rugged and deeply cherished four-wheel-drive Ford. Originally purchased in brand new condition by Ron’s father, this truck quickly became more than just reliable transportation; it became a part of the family. Read on to learn how Ron’s truck, ‘Old Green,’ continues its journey and remains a treasured piece of automotive history.

Q. What’s the history behind ‘Old Green,’ and how did it end up in your possession?

Ron: It was purchased by my father in February 1970, which was right as the ’69 models were being liquidated. I know folks in the Midwest and mountain states might shrug it off as “no big thing,” but back in ’69, here in Oregon, we had a brutal storm that dumped four feet of snow. Dad took one look at the mess and said, “I’ll never be without a 4×4, in case we get snow like this again.” And with that, Old Green joined the family. (Just an aside—we never saw more than 18 inches ever again.)

In the early ’70s, probably 1972, Dad got tired of that anemic 360 engine. So, he had a chat with our next-door neighbor, “Lefty,” who ran the local auto wrecking yard. Dad told him,

“I don’t care what it is, I want more horsepower and torque. I’ve got this much cash; I’ll drag me something home.”

Three days later, an Oregon State Police cruiser, freshly rolled over, was dragged into the yard. That’s when Old Green got a heart transplant—a 1969 Oldsmobile “police special” 455 with a Turbo 400 automatic behind it.

Then, in March 2022, Old Green came to me while my dad was thoughtfully preparing his legacy and future wishes. He told them, “I don’t want to sell my trucks; they’re family.” He wanted someone to receive them that would love them the way he did. So, later that month, Dad gave me Old Green to keep the family together. Someday, it’ll be passed on to one of my grandchildren alongside my bone-stock 1990 Mazda Miata daily driver, the ’61 Corvair, and my first car (once the “rustoration” is complete): a numbers-matching 1965 Impala L35 396 2-door that my grandfather bought new and gifted me when I graduated high school.

And yes, I realize just how lucky I am to have these classics. Thank you, Berkley One, for insuring my family of cars.

Q: Do you attend shows with Old Green? Has it won any awards?

Ron: Old Green entered semi-retirement in 1989 after years of faithful service as the shop truck for my father’s business. But even then, it remained the go-to work truck for towing, hauling, and camping trips with the family. By 1986, Dad decided Green was worn out and needed a full end-to-end restoration (paint, body, and an engine rebuild). So off he went to buy a brand-new truck.
When he came home empty-handed, I asked, “Where’s the new truck?”

His response? “$17,000 for a new truck?!” he began. “I can fix up Old Green like new for less than that.” And he did.

Six months and $9,000 later, Green was back in top shape. Now, it takes occasional trips to the garden center, hauls kayaks for paddling adventures, and—best of all—heads to car shows!

Q: Tell us about a car show experience!

Ron: At my very first show, they handed me a trophy! Of course, it said “Rustiest Roller” (which is completely inaccurate, Green is NOT rusty). But the judge actually pulled me aside to ask if the title might hurt my feelings. They simply didn’t have a “this truck just deserves a trophy because of its story” category. When presenting the award, they stopped, shared Green’s story, and officially rebranded the prize as the “This Truck Just Needs a Trophy” Trophy.

These days, Green is a regular at our local town’s Friday and Saturday night meetups (weather permitting—over 50°F and no rain, because hey, it’s Oregon). And one of my favorite things? Putting kids up in the cab. Gotta get those new car enthusiasts hooked early. They absolutely love it.

Q: Did anything surprise you when you started owning or restoring Old Green?

Ron: I was surprised by just how much attention an old 4×4 could draw. The first time I took Old Green to a Cars & Coffee event (my first-ever car function) I expected it to blend into the background. After all, I was parked beside some true showstoppers: a Cougar Eliminator, a beautifully restored AMC AMX, a Corvette C3 with factory non-flip-up headlights, and a stunning ’33 Ford Street Rod.

Yet somehow, more people flocked to Green than to what I assumed were the “cool cars.”

And strangely enough, it still happens more than I’d expect. Even when I’m just at the gas station, topping off the tank (which, at 9 MPG, is more often than I’d like), people stop to admire it. There’s just something about these old 4×4 trucks. People absolutely love them. And I know how lucky I am to have Old Green.

Q: What is your favorite element of being a part of the collector vehicle community?

Ron: It’s all about acceptance. I “hang out” with a loose-knit group in my local Oregon town and the rule is simple: if you like cars, trucks, motorcycles (anything with a motor) and you’re not a jerk (no obnoxious behavior that upsets the locals), you’re welcome at the meetups.

Until he passed last year, one of my best buddies would park his Cobra right next to my ’90 Miata (back when money was tight, and I couldn’t afford to keep Old Green fed). Car folks are just fun. One of my closest friends owns a Model T, built as a 1930s hot rod (period-correct performance mods). He also has a 1915 Studebaker Touring.

Car people come in all different types, but at the end of the day, we all just love the ride.

Berkley One Classics is a Berkley Company who recognizes that classic cars are unique and require insurance that’s equally distinctive. Let us help you protect your beloved vehicle so you can enjoy it for years to come. Learn more here

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