I found this 45 in mariposa about 8 months ago. The add was a little misleading and didnt really read as good as the truck really was! Previous owner bought the truck in 1985 in northern california,apparently it was used on a college campus as a utility vehicle! He then tore it down to restore and modify.He installed a 76 front clip to take advantage of the late model dash and booster etc. He then painted it and replaced every piece of rubber and weatherstrip(you could still order everything from spector back then.By now it was 1995 and was a complete roller with no drivetrain installed.It came with a sbc auto combo. It then sat from 1995 til 2014 in his well insulated shop.I think health issues was the reason for it not getting finished.I towed it home with all sorts of build ideas.The fact that I had a drivetrain,sitting around ready to install made it an easy decision. Mild 350 chevy with fast fuel injection,late cruiser 4 spd,splitcase,4 wheel disk brakes,factory full float rear,5.29 gears rear locked,sprungover,39.5 boggers,etc. I just got it running last week and it is running and driving well,some small stuff to finish up but its 95 %. Just removed the top and have done the summer treatment with a bimini top on factory bows, split windshield and a bj44 rear seat for the kids! This 45 cab and bed are the best I have ever seen,the wheel wells are mint,not one dent and never any rust anywhere! The gentleman who owned this was super nice,and very detail oriented, and did a fantastic job! Its time to start enjoying the summer fun rig! I have set up the axles to be sprung under as well and may drop it down and put some "normal" tires on it, its pretty big at the moment!
