Winter 2008

Archive51 Project - Randy's Favorite Vehicles:

Dad has had a lot of vehicles over the years both for work and personal use, although some later choices were very questionable (ie a 2003 Buick Rendezvous) these are some of his & my favorites from over the years.

1976 Datsun 710 Wagon: Powered by a 2.0L Nissan I4 and a 4-speed gearbox these cars were a sporty, reliable family grocery getter. A set of Cragar SS wheels really set it off!

When Dad started Techni-Services Limited in 1986 he ran the company for a couple years from a station wagon which was written off in a winter snowstorm in Port aux Basques. His next company vehicle was this 1988 GMC Jimmy, powered by a 2.8L V6, it was nicely optioned up with most power options and aluminum wheels These early S15's really had a classic clean style that I still love to this day.

Dad always kept on top of technology and had one of the first cellular phones installed in this truck. Back then Cantel was the first to offer service in St. John's and the phones were custom installed in each vehicle.

Yours truly leaving for Scouting Canadian Jamboree 1989 in PEI. Dad sold this Jimmy in early 1995 when he picked up a newer 1994 4 door Jimmy.

1979 Chevy Suburban: Dad picked up this truck in Goose Bay in 1989 purchasing from its 2nd owner. It was powered by a carbureted 350ci V8, had the venerable 4-speed manual with granny low, a stout cast iron transfer case and 12 bolt rear end. This 10 year old truck still had its original paint on both the body and frame.

The interior sported super plush carpeted bench seats and floors, I remember spending days vacuuming the Goose Bay sand from the carpets when it first arrived.

After a few years in NL and regular rust checking the paint and body began to show its age. Dad had the truck repainted choosing the stock burgundy but swapping the white two tone for a nicer looking metallic grey.

For summer use he picked up a set of 15" chrome rims and a set of Sears Roadhandler 31x10.5x15" tires which really really suited the truck better than the OEM 235/75/15's.

The suburban provided transportation duties to countless Cub & Scout camps over the years, and was loaded up for regular road/work trips to the West Coast of the island every summer.

Having sold the Suburban a few years previous, Dad came across an awesome deal on a brand new 1997 4 door Yukon at our local dealer. Powered by a Vortec 5.7L V8 and 4 speed automatic transmission, the Yukon was a fantastic work and weekend truck, and one of his favourite trucks of all time.

Dad always kept a clean truck, but that didn't mean he was afraid to use it for what it was designed to do!

Dad's first pickup truck was a 2003 F150 Super Crew purchased from one of his buddies who was downsizing. It proved quite capable, so much so that he has not been without a pickup ever since!

In 2014 he sold the 2003 and picked up this brand new 2014 F150 which was the last year of the steel body. This unit sports the simple and ever reliable 5.0L Coyote V8 which has lots of power, an awesome sound and surprisingly good fuel economy.

In 2018 Dad had an offer he couldn't refuse and trade the 2014 on a brand new 2018 F150 in a one step higher trim package which included a towing package complete with factory brake controller. This truck also sports the venerable 5.0L Coyote V8 but now is mated to an outstanding 10-speed automatic transmission.

Cheers, MIKE