Last year I took a run out to the hills for Sturgis bike week. Riding around the beautiful countryside, I noticed old thrashers and combines on the knolls and hillsides. Then in the Sturgis area one of the local businesses had placed old trucks on the country hills and knolls. “Yard Art.” He had the name of his business on the trucks, with a look weathered by time. I thought what a great idea! What a fun way to advertise – do something fun and different.
Several months later, I listed a home West of Annandale that had an old truck sitting in the weeds. I purchased that old truck (delivered of course) and pulled the doors off and sent them to a local painter that does a great job making our logo look as old as the truck.
My first truck is out on 80th Street (on the North side of Lake Sylvia) and the second, is located on the corner near the Swappers Meet road on your way to the two supper clubs on Clearwater Lake. I had a bunch of calls and folks coming up to me asking, “What’s up with the old trucks?” I would tell them the story about the old thrashers, combines, yard art. Before I would finish my story, most of them would stop me and say,… “I know where you can find another truck” or “Hey, put one on my property!” Fun!
I currently have two trucks out in the field. Both are “barn fresh” 1949 Chevrolet pick-up trucks. The third is a 1946 Chevrolet Delivery. It’s is currently sitting West of Annandale about 2 miles getting the logo painted on. Then off to its new home South of Lake Sylvia.
I purchased another “barn fresh” 1949 Chevrolet pick-up truck yesterday and will be getting that one all set-up. This truck is all ready spoken for and will be placed North of Sugar Lake.
Just having fun!
Driving past the truck on 80th Street Memorial Day weekend, I had to take a double-take. The logo on the truck wasn’t Oak Realty? A local businessman, who I will not mention, thought it would be funny if he put one of his magnetic company signs over the top of my logo on the truck. I thought I would fix him and put one of our Oak Realty stickers on his company vehicle (old ambulance, Dock Doctor). Next, I notice someone (Anchor Don?) put stickers on my custom moving trailer – what did we start? Fun marketing!
Please keep me in mind if you see an old truck. The older the better and all original (barn-fresh, just pulled out of the weeds). If you have a knoll, hillside or just a neat spot for an old truck, let me know.
Check the countryside and see if you can find them.
Brugge
