Posted by Tim in MA on Wednesday, February 07, 2007 at 13:14:43 :
In Reply to: john bizal - faith in mankind restored!! posted by mannyc on Wednesday, February 07, 2007 at 09:38:01 :
What is it about Command Cars and time it takes to restore them. :) I bought mine in 1999 and it still has a long way to go. I too found John and liked his style. As a novice restorer, I was surprised at how much things cost especially the repo items, wherever you bought them. Becoming a friend of Dave Maher and visiting his shop frequently really tuned me in to what goes into quality reproduction parts and the cost associated with them; and that quality is in John’s. I also bought a tailgate from him and when it arrived I found it had been damaged in shipping. John had it picked up and sent me a new one. When I order repo parts from John, it’s not a question of whether they are good or how accurate they are, it’s just how many do I need.
I was in the process of putting together an order for my WC52 (Thank God he makes the bed strips now) when my father started to go down hill. He passed away on Feb.1st at 86 years old. He had lived with my family and I for over 2 years and being an only child, I was very close to him. My trucks and jeep have pretty much sat idle during the past 2 years, as spending time with him was more important than spending time on them. I bought the CC with plan for it to be a memorial to him; his name and rank (S/Sgt) and station (15th AAF Cerignola, Italy) stenciled on the side. He enlisted before Pearl Harbor and after the war worked in the VA helping veterans of all wars and conflicts for the next 34 years.
Now that he’s gone and my girls are in college, the journey to finish my CC and the others begins. So back, to John and the other parts guys out there. I’ve read countless heartful posts about restoring military trucks, the veterans that ride in them or the stories they behind them. For me, John and the others help me get closer to the day when my dad’s CC lines up for a parade with a few vets in the back or goes to a military show.
John’s decision and dedication in going into this business, to helping me bring these memorials back to life has earned my loyalty to him and his products. Since he has his own collection of military vehicles, you know where his heart is. My CC will never be sold; if my family can’t maintain it, it will be donated to a museum with the caveat that his name and service stay stenciled on the side (you can bet they’ll be a MWM business card in the glove box).
Like mannyc, sorry for the long post.
Thanks John,
Tim Shanteler
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