Mike Fauteaux
From Durango CO

Mike writes, "My story begins about 5 years ago when I puchased my 55 Chevy truck from an add on Market Place. I am 63 years old and have always wanted to build a 55 from the ground up and when I retire be able to show it at car shows. I have no experiene in building hot rods but wanted to learn on my own vehicle. I began with a very rusty truck that needed a lot of body work and repairs. I spent a couple of years just getting the truck taken apart to the frame and getting the Camero front end put on along with the four link coil over rear suspention. I decided that the bed was so rusty that it would cost too much to repair so I decided to buy a bed and all the components including the wood from Mar-K. I felt like this was a project that I could do myself and so it began. I worked the oak bed to get it just the way I had invisioned it. Then in August of 2001 I was diognosed with stage four throat cancer. I became very sick and could no longer continue with the build. In fear that I might not ever see my truck completed I decided to have a local business help me get the truck finished. I delivered it to their location and feared that I would never make it to see the final results. I suffered for 2 years but after chemo and radiation treatments my cancer was gone. I let them complete the build but was allowed to be involved as much as possible. My color of choice was Lemon Peal yellow with an orange pearl. Some thought the color would be too bright but when it was finished it was beautiful to say the least. I built this truck to take to car shows on a trailer and even purchased a new trailer just for her. I drove Ol Yeller for the first time and was so impressed with how it handled and how much fun it was to drive I decided not to ever trailer her and drive her as often as I could. to this day she has never touched my trailer and is my pride and joy. I know I did'nt get to build it like I wanted but I am alive to see just how special it turned out and part of that is your bed went together without any problems and looks absolutely awsome. I just felt like people would like to see just how nice your product looks when finished."