The Shadow
Editor’s Note: A 65-year-old Dodge pickup truck purchased in Clifton Forge in 1947 and still owned by relatives of the first owner will be on display Saturday during StreetScene in Covington. The current owner, Jeff Riddlebarger of Cohutta, Ga., will be with the truck and wrote the following history of the vehicle. He is the nephew of Rhoda Hill of Dee Avenue in Covington and his brother Phillip Riddlebarger of New Orleans, La., will be with him.
By Jeff Riddlebarger
I restored the 1947 Dodge Model WC 1/2 ton pickup truck that was purchased new in 1947 at Nicely Brothers Ford dealership in Clifton Forge by Samuel H Riddlebarger, my great grandfather, who lived in Glen Wilton. He worked at the paper mill in Covington.
Samuel E Riddlebarger, my father, lived in many places, including Glen Wilson, was with him when he purchased it.
Samuel E. was 12 years old at the time.
The truck was passed through the family. It went next to my great uncle, Homer N. Riddlebarger, who lived in Glen Wilton and Brookneal, then to my grandfather, Lawrence F. Riddlebarger, who lived in Glen Wilton and Gladys, Va., and who also worked at the Covington paper mill. It then went to my uncle, H. Ray Riddlebarger, who lives in Concord, and ultimately to me.
A great many family members, including but not limited to uncles, great uncles, aunts, great aunts, first cousins, second cousins, grandmothers, grandfathers, etc., including myself, learned to drive in this truck, dated their best girl in this truck, drove to work in this truck, went on vacation in this truck, hunted in this truck – well, I think you get the picture.
As small children, my brother Phil and I would sit on my father’s lap and steer the truck on my grandparents’ farm as we were too small to operate the pedals and see out of the window at the same time. Over the years, we both learned to drive in this truck. In fact, at about age 60, my grandmother Nellie took her first driver’s test in this truck.
As a young child, I fell in love with this truck and asked my grandfather to let me buy it from him when I was old enough to own it. It was at this point in my life when I decided that this truck meant so much to me that I would restore it and pass it down through the family for future generations to enjoy.
The truck has been restored to its original color scheme of red and black. Unlike many restoration projects, my goal with this particular vehicle was not to replace the original worn parts with historically correct parts in order to create a winning show truck. My goal was to restore each and every restorable part on this truck, no matter the cost. I wanted to drive the same truck as my ancestors – not a replica. The truck may not be perfect in every way, but it is 99 percent the original truck that my family used and enjoyed. The chrome isn’t perfect. The rear bumper is an add-on that was handmade by my grandfather.
The gearshift knob was machined out of brass by my grandfather. It came out just as I planned.
The restoration began in 1989 when I began a complete disassembly of the truck placing each piece in a labeled Ziploc bag. I completed the frame-up restoration of the chassis and engine a few years later. I was blessed with two wonderful children over the next several years and the restoration proces stopped until 2009 when Jack Saceman of Winter Park, Fla., graciously agreed to complete the body and interior restoration. In April of 2011, my son Austin and I made the 15-hour journey to Winter Park to retrieve the completed truck that I had been waiting to restore since I was a child. I was 45 at that time. My son was 12.
Today, when I drive this truck to work, like my grandfather, great uncle, and great grandfather did so many years ago, I can almost feel them in the cab with me. I am teaching my son to drive in it, and my hope is that one day he will teach his children and grandchildren to drive in this unique family treasure.
