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Family Traditions
If there’s one thing truck enthusiasts can agree on, it’s that the love for these old machines runs deep—especially when it’s a family affair. For Garret Helton, trucks aren’t just a hobby; they’re a legacy that’s been passed down through generations. From a young age, he was surrounded by old Fords, learning the ropes in his dad’s trucks and later making his own mark on the classic truck scene.
A Family Tradition
It all started early for Garret. “Growing up, my dad had several old Fords. His first vehicle was a 1979 Ford F150 4x4 Dearborn edition. I actually still have it in my barn,” he recalls. The love for these trucks is clearly in the blood. “When I was around a year old, he bought a rusted-out 1978 Ford F150 that he named ‘The Beater Truck’ that ended up being my first vehicle.” It’s clear that trucks have been a staple in Garret's family from the very beginning.
His connection to these trucks goes beyond just family memories, though. “When I was 10 or 11, I learned to drive in his 1977 Super Camper Special,” the Super Camper Special is a very unique truck in its own right. Those are the late 70s Ford pickups that had the axle pushed farther back to give them better stability while towing an in-bed camper. More purpose built for a time when RVing was more about getting out in nature and less about trailer parks. That’s the kind of truck that leaves a lasting impression. And it’s no surprise that working on these trucks has become a huge part of his life. “We own 9 trucks currently. If I’m not at work, we’re probably working on a truck of some sort.” It’s more than just a hobby; it’s a lifestyle.
The Draw of the Truck Culture
For many enthusiasts myself included, the truck culture is more than just a passion for trucks and machines—it’s about community and tradition. “I was 9 months old at my first truck show. It has become what I look forward to each year,” he explains. “I have met buddies through these old trucks who have become part of our family all because of some old rusted trucks.” It’s a reminder that what draws us to trucks isn’t just the power or the performance; it’s the camaraderie and the shared love for these machines that makes the culture so unique.
The 1973 F250: A Project Truck with a Story
One truck in particular stands out in his collection—the 1973 Ford F100 "Oklahoma Blues". “It’s a 1973 F100 body on a 78/79 F250 chassis with a 300-6 engine and a 4-speed transmission,”. The truck itself has a unique story. “Growing up, there was a baby blue 1978 F250 that sat around the corner from our house that I always wanted,” he says. Three years ago, with cash in hand, he set out to buy it, but things didn’t go quite as planned. “I went to try to buy it because it’s still sitting in the same spot. My dad says it’s been sitting there since before I was born—so 33+ years. The owner threatened to call the cops on me so I would leave.” That didn’t stop him, though. He turned to Facebook and soon got a message from a friend, Bryan Holmes, who had exactly what he was looking for—a rough but promising F100.
The truck was in pretty bad shape, but it had the perfect patina that he was after. “I had a set of floor pans put in it, but other than that, the truck had great character,” he says. The story behind the truck’s previous owner adds a bit more depth to its history. “The guy I bought it from was going to use it for a body swap on his mega truck that was rolled over by his wife. Someone bought the mega truck as is, and this old truck sat in the weeds in Chandler, Oklahoma until we dragged it home to live a pampered life.” He even learned that the truck had been bought from the original owner’s family after he passed away.
Bringing the Truck to Life
The transformation of this F100 wasn’t an overnight process. The plan was to make something that was both cool and functional. “I bought a 1978 F250 for the chassis, but the frame was broke. It came with a brand-new lift kit, so I bought it, parted it out, and then bought another 78/79 chassis that needed cab mounts but had already been somewhat redone,” he explains. Around the same time, a close friend’s dad, Sam Newkirk, who had passed away from brain cancer, reached out to offer some parts that had belonged to Sammy, including a running 300-6 engine from a 1977 F150.
With the help of a crane from his work truck and a few good buddies, the drivetrain swap and body swap came together in just under a month. “The whole deal was done and driving in under a month,” he says. It wasn’t just about getting the truck on the road; it was about giving it a new lease on life.
Future Plans: More Truck Shows
Now that the truck is running and driving, the plan is simple—“Just enjoy it and take it to as many truck shows as possible.” The joy of having this F100 now F250 on the road, after all the hard work, is more than enough. There’s no need for crazy modifications or perfection—just enjoying the ride and sharing it with others in the truck community. I don't know this for sure but if I were a betting man every time Garrett gets in Oklahoma Blues he gets a big grin knowing he got himself that baby blue dentside regardless of his grouchy neighbor.
A Growing Collection
And the F250 isn’t the only truck in his garage. “We have 2 2019 Powerstroke trucks, a 1978 Ford F150 (my first truck), a 1979 with a 13” lift and 44” swampers, and a 1995 Powerstroke 5-speed that we are going to body swap with a bullnose body that Joey gave my son,” he lists off. There’s also a 1995 F350 work truck and a 1963 F100 that’s going to be body-swapped onto a Crown Vic chassis for his wife and daughter to cruise. It’s clear that the passion for these old trucks runs deep, and it’s a family affair that shows no signs of slowing down.
The Heart of the Truck Community
At the end of the day, it’s the connections made through these trucks that keep him coming back for more. From meeting new friends at truck shows to spending time with family working on projects together, the truck culture has provided a sense of community and tradition that’s unmatched. For him, it’s not just about the trucks themselves; it’s about the memories they create, the work that goes into them, and the people who share the same passion for keeping these old machines on the road.
Grab yourself an Oklahoma Blues T-Shirt HERE
