OCTOBER 2008 OLD TIME TRUCKS
A RARE CAT-POWERED FORD
By John & Shirley Sponholtz
This 1966 Ford Model H-1000 cabover is owned by Jeff Vinopal of Walcott, Iowa. Throughout its history, Ford has not sold many trucks with diesel engines, but this truck has a 1673 Cat diesel engine with a 10-speed Fuller transmission. The truck was used to haul milk throughout its entire working life by Irv Gullickson of Deerfield, Wisconsin. It was the last of these types of trucks owned by Irv’s company and the only one with a Cat diesel engine (which is proudly and boldly stated on the front of the truck). The other Ford trucks in Irv’s fleet had either a 534 gas engine or a 220 Cummins diesel. The original factory paint was red, but Irv created the two-tone green paint scheme. Jeff is the second and current owner of the truck. He bought the truck in 1997 and began restoring it in 1998. The restoration took quite a long time because parts were very difficult to find. Once Jeff found (and bought) a similar truck for parts, he was able to finish the restoration. Jeff tried to keep everything as original as possible. Changes that were made include an updated air-ride rear suspension, dual exhaust and new fuel tanks. The truck is now retired. Jeff enjoys taking it to truck shows and driving it in parades. There aren’t many of these rare trucks left any more, so it has become quite a show piece at all of the events he attends.