Topic Originally Created in July of 2012:
we have started the slow fun of getting our 56 Bubblenose Continental Wrecker ready for the show/parade circuit. In the process we have found several pictures of the truck when it was working on a daily basis. It will now be working at the Eagle Field Historic Drag Races, and for exhibition parades. Getting the old photos scanned up now, and will be taking some additional pictures tomorrow showing some more detail of the controls, deck etc. Wanting to document it as a before/after type of thing.
As we work through this we will be describing in detail what additions and modifications have been made by the current owner over the years.
Should be a fun trip, and I look forward to documenting it here for everyone..
This 54 is now retired and somewhere in Hemet CA (Named the Happy Hooker). Looks like the boom may be stuck out (We've been there, and its not fun to get it back in when it gets stuck. Remember these are all winch driven trucks so extending and retracting is done through the clutch based winches).
This is a picture of our 56 when it was owned by Jean LaChance in Stevenson, CA. The history of this truck is interesting as it spent most of its working life with Continental on the Grapevine, and was sold to Santa Cruz Truck and Trailer.. From there it Went to Dutra's Tow, Jean, then back to Dutra's tow. The truck so nice we bought it twice.
This is our 56 Continental about a year and a half ago - after several offers, our owner decided to keep it. Her sister trucks which you will be seeing shortly in the photos recovered today sold in the last year in a half. (Jim bought the Holmes, and I don't recall who took the Century 1030)
And below - I present more Continental "big sticks"..
Continental Stick boom from Will Freeman's business card..
Sommers towing below - beds built by the folks at Continental.
And some more of the "Bubble Nose" variety. Research so far tells me there are only 4 of them, and Nothing known about this one yet..
And at least 2 more making an appearance in Mexico these days. Look to the right of the white truck and you can see the Continental mast in blue to another "stick" Continental.
More fun to come - with more specific photos etc of our truck as we get her ready for the retirement job..
The clean-up of the 1956 Bubble nose Pete has been side tracked by a couple of other projects. We have been going through some of the other fleet that we will be selling including the 98 Pete and Landoll, one of our 2 car rollbacks, and 86 GMC medium rigs.
The Boom material and winches are all from WW2 ships (and thus their super heavy duty nature).
I talked to the Boss about it some more today, because I really want to get moving on it and have it ready for the Christmas Parade this year.
We spent a lot of time over the past several weeks getting stuff up to good shape to sell out to help finance the LAST KNOWN RUNNING 56 Continental Pete (running as in still on the road). Once we sell off the 98 Peterbilt with Landoll ($50k for truck and trailer), The Flatbed (Century 2 car carrier w/ Century underlift) and the old medium rig - business will take place full time on the 56. If anyone is interested in these trucks that are available, let me know or call our owner Tony (209)826-4921.
Buyers get to see how the continental works in person - and if they have time and won't mind a beer or two, get to help out a bit in working on her and maybe go for a spin.
Ask jeepfreek though - he bought our 850 and was fully satisfied. When we sell you something, you will get the full, honest scoop of the condition something is in, and what it needs. All three of these could be driven cross country today.
I guess it's just the economy - but have not had any takers on any of our other equipment that is for sale lately. Tony is willing to let the trailer go without the truck and may put a quickswap with the tractor and try to sell it.
The plan at this point on the 56 is still kind of up in the air, but it sure would be great to get it up to par with the other trucks we are keeping. Will probably stay with white, and line-x the deck (which is what we have done with our last two wreckers). Will be sharp when complete..
If anyone is interested in anything we have please let us know..
