Words: Clint Powell

Ol’ Blue: a long standing relationship. At least 15 years and counting.

She started out as not what I was looking for. But as luck should have it, she is what was towed home. And she is ever-evolving.

She started out has a barn find sitting next to a farmer’s barn in Sherman, TX, the birthplace county of our 34th president. Through the moves and years of travel, she is what she is. And her retirement home is in Abilene KS, #34’s boyhood home.

During one of her transformations, I found her build date stenciled by the factory on the transmission hump, passenger side: 10/03/63. Like the lady she is, she looks gorgeous in lace and skirts – although her skirts are being adjusted.

Would I trade her for the ’57 Chevy that I originally wanted? No. Long story short, the guy with the ’57 that I did want turned down my offer, went on vacation, came back and called me. Well, I had already made the deal on Blue.

There’s a big difference between the tired 283 and the massaged 350. A two-speed glide and 700R4 round out the setup.

It has been a long road for her and me, and we have made some friends along the way. Be interesting to see what transforms next!

The rendering by Ben Mitchell is by far the greatest portrait of the two of us.