Camper

[Tom P]

Imagine following this up the hill going south of Ashland Oregon! Or maybe being ahead of it coming down the other way! Even an optional "big" 170 and the wider 9" drum brakes would be woefully inadequate. 7829

[Luva65wagon]

I can see my knuckles getting white just looking at this, but folks back then just did this sort of thing. I recall hearing from Smithkid (Gene) packing 3 motorcycles into the back of his 60 Ranchero with 3 passengers and pushing the 144 going over the mountain passes; no doubt a little faster than was safe. Fun times, I'm sure.

[SmithKid]

I don't know to this day how that poor little engine remained running through all the abuse I put it through, it had all it could do to just run at 60+ on the level in 4th, then rowing back and forth between 2nd and 3rd gears to get over the pass. Even with all that abuse, it would make the trip getting around 20mpg. AMAZING! Loved that little 'truck'!