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Editor's note: This is part of a series at KSL.com featuring some of Utah's coolest cars. If you own a customized vehicle — from sports cars to semi trucks — email fjolley@ksl.com with a photo of the vehicle and a brief description for consideration.WEST VALLEY CITY — Ken Fredrickson’s 1947 Chevrolet pickup has been in his family since 1949. His father’s brothers bought it used in 1949. Fredrickson’s dad ended up with it, and Ken started driving it on the family farm when he was 12 years old.
The truck lived a hard-working life in Vernon, Tooele County, but was put out to pasture when Fredrickson was 18. It then sat for 30 years. Finally, Frederickson's father told him he had better do something with it or it would be given away. So Fredrickson trailered the very aged truck to his home in West Valley City.
The condition of the truck was just as you would expect from years of working, and even more of sitting, but years earlier Fredrickson and his brother had painted the truck with brushes as kids, which preserved it somewhat. He described the vehicle as “farm hammered.”
Fredrickson got to work on restoring the pickup truck, re-doing everything. He found a 1979 Camaro that donated its 350 engine, steering column and drive train. He bought a different transmission from a wrecking yard because he wanted an automatic. He said the engine is a “little over stock” with a mild cam. It exhales through headers and dual Flowmaster exhaust. He had great luck with a Mustang II front-end kit.
Fredrickson ordered a truck bed from Oklahoma City, and had put thousands of dollars into bodywork on the cab when he acquired a newer one. He stuck it out with the original.
The truck was originally red with black fenders and running boards, and is now Sunset Orange Metallic, a 2000 Chevrolet color. When Fredrickson’s dad saw it, he called the restored truck “beautiful.” He died in 2013.
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In 2014, after more than three decades of Toyota Supra ownership and an extensive nationwide search, John Minert found the 1997 twin-turbo Toyota Supra that resides in his garage today.$25,000 later, Fredrickson said the pickup truck runs down the road well, but still acts like a truck. He drives (not trailers) it to car shows and cruise nights. He said he enjoyed the building more than he does the driving.
The truck also brought two families together. Randy Rogers painted the truck for Fredrickson while he was restoring it. After a few years of going to cruises together, Rogers introduced his son to Fredrickson’s daughter. Todd and Melissa dated and have now been married for 13 years.
Brian Champagne has reported on cars for more than nine years. He holds a master's degree in communications from the University of the Pacific and teaches at Utah State University. Contact him at iaabfl@yahoo.com.
