Should I marry this girl?

[1stSarge]

Part I The Introduction
This all started when I began talking to fellow members about purchasing a M109A3. I spoke to several people over the last few months, and got to know a few. Gimpy looked over a few we both knew about for me, and at one point even offered to sell me his. (you might have seen the thread).

I really wasn’t ready to commit financially to this project, as I did not have the funds at this time. And my timetable looked more like October or November before I could afford one.

Then, just before the MVPA show, a couple of weeks ago, he sent me a pm telling me that he knows where a really nice one was. Well, I couldn’t get back to him in a reasonable amount of time, and he went to California for his sisters wedding.

I kinda wanted to hear what he wanted to tell me, but kinda not, as he knew my financial situation and it would make me crazy to hear of a great deal slipping by and me not being able to do anything about it.

I arrive at the show on Friday night, and I meet several of the guys, and among them was Kipman. About 2 minutes after meeting me, he pointed in my face and said “I know where a 109 can be had cheap”. I immediately responded “is this the one Gimpy is trying to tell me about?” he said yes.

The next day, working the show, I was walking by and Kip Yelled at me to come over to his tables, I did, and as soon as I got there, he introduced me to John, the former owner of our 109.

He and I made a time to look over the truck the next day, and talked about everything it needed.

As I walked away, I was still trying to figure out how I could come up with the money for this when my fiancé, Julie, spoke up and told me that she would buy it for us.

 

[1stSarge]

Part II The Inspection

It was about a 2 ½ hour drive, but we met up just fine. In his front yard, There were several deuces, trucks and trailers. I knew I had the right place. Then, I saw the most beautiful deuce I have ever seen. (no, not mine) he had just completed a frame off restoration and it was perfect in every way, so I included a pic of it as well.

We looked over the 109, and it was clear there was a lot of cosmetic work needed. But it had all of the features I wanted; a hardtop, a heater kit, the artic kit in the cab, the box heater in the back, and my favorite, a windshield washer! (just kidding)…. a winch! The motor has 961 miles since rebuild.

Oh yeah, did I mention, my fiancé said that she would buy it for us?

It started within one second of hitting the switch, and just purred. We talked about the history of the vehicle. And he told of a relationship with this truck that goes back almost twenty years.

We took a ton of pictures of the truck.

I would say what I paid…ahmmm.. I mean, what she paid for it, but you guys would probably never speak to me again.

We talked about the cosmetics, and I told him that I would probably do the plain green CARC. He said “well would you like a five gallon can of it?” so yeah, now add to the booty one five gallon can of CARC 383 green.

He said that he wasn’t comfortable with us taking the truck until he had gone completely over it. Checking and filling fluids. And making sure everything was safe and in good operating order. So we made a date to come and pick it up the following Saturday.

We arranged for a waypoint stop at Kipman’s place as it was “kinda” on the way.

Oh yeah, did I mention, my fiancé said that she would buy it for us?

While there, We were looking at his restored deuce, when I looked over and my fiancé was crawling around his M1009 CUCV. She walked up and said “ these are growing on me too”.

 

[1stSarge]

Part III The Recovery
We arrived at John’s about 10:30 am, and Gimpy was already there. We went and did the title thing, and then came back and John went over the truck with us, and things that would need to be done. We loaded up the CARC, and four tires that we sold me along with the stone guard and Gimp taught us the proper way to load tires in a 109.

We set out to Kips, with gimpy leading the way, and Julie bring up the rear. The truck run fine, but the first stop to check the wheel bearings, the park brake would not hold. So Gimp got under there and showed me how to adjust it. A little wrenching and we were back on the road.

About half way to Kips, we switched places, and he drove the 109, so I could get an opinion on how it drove.

Arriving at Kips, we went through it some more, it was clear it needed a primary filter. No-one had one, so, kip sold me his lifetime warranty one that he had just put in his truck. He just pulled it out of his, and put it in mine. Is that crazy or what?

He also provided me with the bud bar I needed, some sweet corn, and an air filter.

The last leg of the trip home was flawless, about an hour away,

 

[1stSarge]

Part IV The Thanks
I don’t quite know how to even start this. To say thank you to all involved, seems way too much of an understatement. Gimpy, driving all the way from Cincinnati to escort us (about 2 hours) was more than appreciated, and Kip, for welcoming us to his farm, providing parts and help. John, for being meticulous, and worrying abut our trip home more that we did I think.

And Julie, without whom, my life would not be near as rich as it is today. I’m pretty sure I’m gonna marry this girl, what do ya think?

 

[319]

Marry her, Kip, and Gimpy!


1stSarge, you've done well! Nice looking ride. Julie sure knows how to pick em', trucks of course! And you've got two of the finest mentors!

 

[WarrenD]

If you don't marry that gal, I will!!!!

 

[hole]

Sounds like a keeper !

 

[kipman]

 

[mckeeranger]

And Julie, without whom, my life would not be near as rich as it is today. I’m pretty sure I’m gonna marry this girl, what do ya think?

I think if you don't, you're nuts.

Also, if you don't marry her, give her my number.

 

[gunboy1656]

Ok, anyone else see something wrong in this post?

Nice truck by the way....

BUT you did not include any pics of her and the truck.

 

[swbradley1]

Marry her, Kip, and Gimpy!


1stSarge, you've done well! Nice looking ride. Julie sure knows how to pick em', trucks of course! And you've got two of the finest mentors!

Someone has a problem.........

 

[Ferroequinologist]

Yes, I would marry her if I were you! It's one thing to have a supportive wife, but another entirely that buys you trucks, and even more so if they work on them!

 

[L999here]

.....can you say commitment....?

You have already made several major commitments....to the MV hobby and all that implies. You don't mention anyone's ages.....but you are not getting any younger. Make the plunge and marry that lady....QUICKLY....!!! I saw the pic...she is a good looking lady and just the fact she bought the MV should be enough to marry her. If she keeps a clean home,is good with children,has a good relationship with her immediate family,esp. her parents...and keeps you 'satisfied'....what else do you want...??? Most guys marry for a lot less...and three out of four is still very good....LOL. Most guys would have done so already....'HE WHO HESITATES IS LOST'.....

 

[kastein]

WHY ARE YOU EVEN ASKING?!

The answer is yes... unless she is in some way certifiably insane, which cannot be determined from the pictures.

 

[gimpyrobb]

I think SHE should be asking us about you, since it IS her truck.

 

[hdexpert]

John, congrats on the 109, nice truck and you got a great deal!!! It was my pleasure to meet you and Julie at the Mid Ohio show. Thanks for all the help loading my truck in the rain. As far as marrying her goes, you already know the answer!!

 

[Wildchild467]

And Julie, without whom, my life would not be near as rich as it is today. I’m pretty sure I’m gonna marry this girl, what do ya think?

Do it up Sarge! As long as the relationship is give and take to her intrest and yours, and shes a good girl, i say yea! Its hard finding the right girl, im still on the search. im not mr. wonderful but i do treat women very nicely... maybe too nice. anyway, getting back to talking about MVs, i've went on dates with the deuce, its fun!

 

[TIGERFANS2]

You're asking?

.... must be Army ....... A.F. wouldn't have to ask ..........

 

[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

Do you REALLY have to ask that question MARRY the girl and then y'all can HONEYMOON in the M109.....

 

[maynard83]

You mean you're not married to her already?