Melvin’s 1977 Ford: Why the Name Rusty Stayed

Shared by @wawiejm. The timeline and plans reflect the owner’s original account.

Melvin wanted the blue-and-silver 1979 F-250 4x4 Camper Special his dad had bought new. He remembered the dealership, the smell of a new Ford and snow in the bed. That truck had left the family before he fully understood what it meant to him.

His dad later found this 1977. Riding in the passenger seat during the test drive brought the old feeling back and left Melvin in tears. He bought it the next day. Ten years into ownership, when he shared his account, Rusty had received bodywork, paint, a lift, an interior, wheels and a stereo. The name stayed. Engine and drivetrain work were still ahead.

Read the owner’s original account and build details

Truck year:

1977

Ownership when this account was shared:

10 years

How the truck came home

1979 F250 4x4 Camper Special

The memories behind the truck

My dad had a 1979 Ford F250 Camper Special that he bought brand new. I remember going to the dealership with him when he bought it. I remember the sitting in the cab with the “new Ford scent” looking through the back window into the snow covered bed on top of that shiny blue/silver truck. After growing up in that truck through numerous fishing/hiring trips, they are the most treasured memories. Years passed, the truck went to family, by the time I was able to appreciate it, the truck was gone. My dad knew how bad I wanted to recapture that feeling. I then began a search for that same truck. My dad stumbled across this 77’, although it wasn’t a 79’ er took it for a ride and that cab feeling came back to me immediately. It nearly brought tears to my eyes sitting shotgun with my dad driving this “Rusty old Ford”. I purchased the truck that next day and here we are after bringing back to life. I know many others can relate and the build was every penny worth it!