When Len Watson first bought his 1982 Chevrolet fleetside pickup truck, it was nothing more than a second-hand “set of wheels” to get him to work. Twenty-eight years and countless memories later, it’s become so much more than that.

Once he retired, Len decided that he wanted to restore the truck to its former glory. “That trucks been good to me, so I’m going to be good to it,” said Len.

Over the last 16 years, he’s worked with local mechanics to fix and change the truck’s grill, doors, carpets, body and more. He even changed the engine, but was careful not to lose the feel of how the truck originally ran.

It was this passion that gave Len’s wife, Cathy, an idea for Len’s 80th birthday present. Since learning that the truck was first sold in Perth, Ont. back in ‘81, Len wanted to bring it to the site where it was on display all those years ago. Last Friday, Cathy helped make the dream a reality.

The couple hopped in Len’s truck and left Shawville Friday morning to make their way towards the old Perkins dealership in Perth. On the way there, Len said to Cathy “this is the best day of my life, my dream is going to come true.”

Cathy explained that upon seeing the joy on Len’s face, she started to feel similar emotions to Len.

“It was very emotional for me when I realized how big it was for him,” said Cathy. “I didn’t realize the magnitude of what it meant.”

To celebrate Len Watson’s 80th birthday, Cathy Watson arranged for the couple to take Len’s restored pickup truck to the dealership where it first sold in 1981.

Len recalled his children sitting on his lap with their hands on the wheel when they were very young. Years later, they learned to drive in the truck. Since restoring the truck, Len has made new memories and friendships with others, who he describes as having “the same bug” as him in a love of classic cars.

Len explained that this infatuation comes from a simple admiration of old vehicles and desire to see them last.

“Whatever old vehicles are made, that’s all that’s out there,” said Len. He explained that to help maintain the cars, they’re kept out of the rain and other poor weather conditions.

Len and Cathy frequently attend car shows and cruise nights, making their way to local events such as the Shawville fair car show or the cruise night in Shawville near Wings & Things. If the weather is good, they’ll often go to Renfrew or Arnprior for cruise shows. Len explained that he’s even made friends from Brockville who come to the area for shows.

That shared “bug” brings them together to admire and discuss their classic vehicles. It’s the same bug that brought Len to Perth to see his car sitting on display in the lot where it was first sold.

Len described the sight of the car in the former dealership parking lot as breathtaking. “It was a dream come true,” he said.

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