08/06/2026
'74 Dodge D200
I've had the opportunity to work on some older trucks this year & I love it.
No creature comforts, no cameras, no GPS or even a cup holder. Trucks were designed for work. People like me fell in love with them when we were kids & now those same people are restoring them.
That's the story with this Dodge. Originally purchased new in November of 1973 by the Ringle Fire Department, it spent its life fighting fires, being a part of emergency services & serving the Town of Ringle.
Teddy acquired the truck & restored it. No more fighting fires for this rig. He called me a few weeks ago & wanted to get it detailed along with a couple other vehicles.
There was quite a bit of bonded dirt stuck to it making the surface feel rough even after washing. A decontamination wash & clay bar treatment gave me a good base to work on. I followed that with a 1-step polish & then sealed that in.
All the glass needed to be polished to get all the dirt & haze off giving a nice clear view. It can be irritating trying to look through really nasty glass & if bad enough it becomes a safety issue.
The interior was detailed. A new carpet & trim pieces will be coming soon for it which will really have it looking refreshed.
New trucks are very, very nice but will never compare to the classics. The character the old trucks have, even the emotional attachment, is something a new truck can't compete with.
