V8

 We were driving in South Georgia when the remains of an old truck caught

my eye.  After a short walk to get close enough to take some photos, I

found that it was a 1935 Ford 1 1/2 ton.  More importantly, just seeing the

grill with the V8 emblem transported me back to my youth.  At one time,

my Dad worked for his brother at a service station on US77 in Oklahoma. 

In those days, Oklahoma was a "Dry State" and alcoholic drinks (except for

some forms of beer) were illegal.  That might have been the law but it also

caused a thriving industry to arise , the transportation of illegal alcohol to

those who wanted it.

my Uncle's service station.  The bootleggers and moonshine runners would

arrive to have their cars serviced and their fuel tanks filled up.  And they did

not drive "ordinary" vehicles.  They drove cars and pickups that were custom

modified to haul their loads while being fast enough to outrun the law.  One

in particular, though, always caught my eye.  It was a 1935 Ford pickup

with that gold V8 emblem on that distinctive grill.  To make it even more

memorable, the man who drove it would take the time to stop and talk to

me when I was there.  Sometimes, he'd even buy me a coke from the cooler

filled with ice and pop.  And always when he got ready to leave, he'd "rev up"

his engine and "burn" a little rubber as he headed out to pick up the

moonshine which he would carry and deliver before the night was over.

simply provided the story so that maybe this wonderful shell of a truck will

ignite your own memories.  But if it doesn't, that's alright.  The shape of this

old classic truck with its grill, emblem and rusty bumper is worthy enough

for this painting.