On a recent mountain bike ride, I noted a landmark on the map called “Old Truck”. Sure enough, a short climb later and there it was.
I’m not well versed on older non-Ford pickups but I’m pretty sure this is a Fargo, not a Dodge, based on the shape of the grill trim. From a quick Google image search, probably late 1940’s. And I am in Canada now, so that makes sense. The last Fargo I saw was much bigger, newer, and in Turkey. Here’s the inside view.
The remnants of this truck are on public land. I’m glad BCParks has chosen to leave it as an archaeological artifact and not haul it out as junk. One more angle.
Photo’s taken on Labour Day, 2022 outside Vernon, British Columbia
I always find it kind of sad when a vehicle is permanently turned into a stationary piece of sculpture. I don’t think this one is coming back.
It appears that just about every useful part that could be harvested from it already has been. Whether that was before or since its’ abandonment on public property is a mystery, but if I had to guess I’d say the engine was probably pulled first and the gauges later.
Jim, I see many (and have posted a few ) trailside classics and I think this one is authentic and fine. It was probably left here (or stolen and dumped) before this ranch or timber land became a provincial park. It’s in a pretty remote area and not a tourist attraction in any sense. Sure, it would be better if it was still running or even working, but it was more appealing than the old washing machines at the other end of the trail.
That one looks like it’s close to some sort of road that at least at one time was functional. The ones that always surprise me are vehicles deep in the woods where there’s no longer any trace of how they got there, and yet critical (and heavy) pieces are missing.
Looks like “Camh” spent some time in the cab.
Yes – a Fargo. Great name for a truck. Or an electric vehicle. In Colorado, we have many of these hiking landmarks. Not always a junked truck.
It really is a great name. Someone missed a bet in not continuing it. Though, yeah, Chrysler had enough trouble moving even one line of trucks for a long time…
Fargo trucks were common in NZ years ago and that looks like one, Isuzu also produced a Fargo and we have those too.
As a fellow cyclist, I will say that you have excellent taste in bicycles. It’s hard to go wrong with any Santa Cruz.
Thanks Ed. I also happen to live in Santa Cruz and I like to support a local business; though owned by the Dutch company Pon Holdings, which started as the Dutch VW distributor, Santa Cruz Bicycles employs hundreds of people here in town and does significant manufacturing here. Though at 7 years old, my bike’s contribution to the economy has fully depreciated.
Interesting that the cab & fenders remain but not the frame nor driveline .
-Nate