Back from the brink by Bobbi McGee

Back from the brink by Bobbi McGee                                                                                         

Standing in the hot July sun on Main Street in Miami, Oklahoma I could hear the excitement in his voice as Pat Ford showed me picture after picture of his 1976 Peterbilt 359 which he resurrected from the dead.

Back during the bicentennial of ’76 this standard white Peterbilt day cab rolled off the assembly line as one of the first produced in its class but would not be discovered by Pat, in the weeds of a California field, until years later in 1991. He had a feeling about the old girl but did not want to take on such a big project. The current owner had the truck listed for sale stating it was “taking up space where he could be raising more horses,” and if he “did not sell it soon, he would scrap it out for parts.”  Just as Pat talked himself into making an offer, the owner advised him that another fellow had written him a check that morning, so a sale was pending. Pat moved on, looking at other trucks with a pang of regret and disgust, wondering if he missed “the one.” Over the next few days Pat had a gnawing in his gut which did not subside. Discussing the matter with his family he heard himself say, “I wish that check would just bounce so I could make my own offer for her.” They told him to give the guy a call just to make sure the deal was final. It was then Pat remembered he had tossed out the number into the trash which luckily had not been picked up from the curb. After spending time digging in the dumpster, he came across his own familiar writing, took a deep breath and called the man. To his complete surprise he was told that the truck was back on the market because the check had bounced and that the seller had been trying to locate Pat to see if he still had an interest. Pat leapt at the chance to drive back over to Riverside, California and offered him $7000 which was quickly accepted on the spot. He climbed up into the deteriorated cab, hoping he could see out of the broken windshield just enough to limp her home. Sitting on a plastic 5-gallon bucket topped with a pillow as a makeshift driver seat he started his slow trek home with a support vehicle following close behind. Just as the finish line was in sight the throttle stuck, which bumped him into his own car in the driveway. The old Pete was a wreck, but as he looked her over, he started to build a vision in his mind of what she could become with time and extra effort. Pat launched a mission to strip down and custom fabricate the interior himself. Over time a metamorphosis occurred. As I snapped some pictures, I noticed the familiar oval logo and I did a quick double take at the lettering asking him, “What does “Pat Bilt” mean?”  He laughed. “I’m Pat, and it’s built by me…. So, it’s Pat Bilt.” That provided me with a chuckle, as I looked a little closer at the tiny details I had missed at first glance. Everything symmetrical, clean defined lines, balanced down to the last bulb.  

Looking over at his truck, the sun reflecting off the chrome with the metallic white paint sparkling in the light, I found it hard to believe that the regal beauty parked before me could possibly be the same old jalopy in the snapshots he shared. People continued to walk up, peering into the open cab, classic country music blaring, hood open, her suicide sleeper doors providing access to every area for closer inspection. Her new 36-inch sleeper layered with plush plumb colored trim was once just a standard day cab, her old Cummins engine replaced in 2008 with a brand-new big cam 400 Cummins with a 15-over and 3.70 rears. He has made several upgrades over the years working on the fabrication, paint, body and engine all on his own. After being forced to retire in 2016 due to ongoing health issues, Pat focused more on attending truck shows in “Killin’ Time,” which is a well-deserved moniker. In speaking with him on the updates he explained how his truck has custom cut diamond plating in place of standard light weight prefabricated aluminum. His attention to detail has caused him some additional grief over the years, like back in 2006 while in Fontana, California, he was involved in a hit and run accident causing $36,000 worth of damage to the front-end yet never finding the driver responsible who fled the scene. To Pat, the only option was to bring her back out on the road in top condition.

 You often hear in trucking circles that the truck picks the driver, well in this case I do believe it is true. You see there before me sat a semi-truck that came back from the brink, this along with her driver that did the same thing.  Pat Ford was diagnosed in 2016 by Mayo Clinic with a rare nerve condition which later required radical surgery to save his life due to sepsis. Being born sixth out of eleven kids he was no stranger to hard times. Growing up on a diary farm with a truck driver for a father, Pat became accustomed to the blue-collar hard-working lifestyle.  In 1986 he started his own trucking company as an owner operator hauling construction equipment on a flat bed.  He told me he never wanted to do anything else but truck, except perhaps custom truck fabrication or maybe be a diesel mechanic. Now at 61 years old and fully retired he focuses on charity benefits and truck shows mostly in the Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Kansas areas. Just like his Peterbilt, some parts had to be replaced or removed over the years, but he has made it through coming back from the brink. Even though his pain was noticeable this past weekend he spoke to the onlookers, posed in pictures, and explained the history of his 359, taking the time to answer every question.

Pat has a strategy to ensure his truck remains in the public eye for years to come. He did share that he plans to continue his hand-wash and wax routine with no high pressure used, along with storing her inside, protected away from the sun’s damaging rays. As I watched him climb over and crawl under checking every bulb before the light-show portion of the event, he pointed out additional upgrades and a few improvements he plans to add. I feel sure that as he cares for his truck, his truck will carry him through the years ahead.  

While sitting with me in the shade he said, “I’ll never sell her, no matter what they offer.” “She is part of the family.” He said, “Even when my family urged me to do so, I just couldn’t part with her.” Pat explained, “Even with my ongoing health problems, on my worst day I can start up the truck and just hearing her run gives me peace.” Pat details the paint and wipes down the interior to prepare for another show, another mile they will travel together. He and this truck have forged a special bond that I was honored to experience first-hand.

It would seem all his hard work paid off on Saturday, when “Killin’ Time,” was awarded Best Antique Truck in the Rigs on Route 66 Truck Show in downtown Miami, Oklahoma presented by Mayor Bless Parker. Pat was exhausted from the weekend, but I could tell he was pleased. I walked over to shake his hand and congratulate him as I said goodbye. He stopped me, opening his arms for a quick hug instead, “Thank you for telling my story,” He said, “Thank you for trusting me with your story,” I replied. As I walked away, I looked back over my shoulder to see Pat climbing up into the cab.