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Car Spotter: Hello, I’m a Truck

by Tom Buss

“Hello, I’m a Truck” came to mind when we ended up behind a rollback with this pick-up staring down at me.

On our July 2012 trip, where we saw a ’76 Dodge ice cream truck in San Diego, we also saw this 1970 or ’71 Dodge pick-up in Encinitas. We’d met a Cali resident in San Juan Capistrano who recommended the Encinitas beaches for our daughter Cassandra. A morning drive on the South Coastal Highway did not disappoint. We were looking for a parking spot and found ourselves behind this truck. I followed the guy around the block, taking pictures as I drove. The driver must have thought we were crazy, but I figured this might be my only chance to see this truck up close.

The truck was light blue with a white roof. Except for a few small dents and dings, it was in excellent condition. After consulting with a friend, I think it was a Camper Special. It has an access door for campground hook-up, hold-down attachment points for a slide-on camper, large rectangular mirrors, an 8’ bed and 128” wheelbase.

California lives up to its reputation for beautiful beaches and beautiful cars and trucks. I highly recommend a stop in San Juan Capistrano, Encinitas and a drive on the South Coastal Highway.

“Hello, I’m a Truck” was written by Bob Stanton and sung by Red Simpson. It was released in 1971 and was part of the CB radio/truck craze of the 1970s.


This story originally ran in the National Chrysler Products Club Journal.

Other Car Spotter articles by Tom Buss

1970-71 Dodge W300 Power Wagon

Vintage Dodge Bros, Plymouth, and Dinky models

1975 Dodge Charger SE: Comfy but slow cruiser

1957 Plymouth Belvedere Convertible

1940s Dodge pickup: Car Spotter #20

1949 DeSoto Custom: Car Spotter #19

1967 Dodge Coronet 440: Car Spotter #18

Car Spotter #17: 1966 Chrysler 300

Car Spotter: 1950 Plymouth

Car Spotter: Imperial Crown and Valiant

Car Spotter: Dodge D-200 Power Wagon

Car Spotter: 1964 Jeep Gladiator Pickup

Car Spotter: Custom Ram Van Minivan

Car Spotter: Mopars of the Hagley Car Show

Car Spotter: C-100 California Pickup

Car Spotter: 1948 Chrysler Windsor and 1940 Dodge at a Newark used car lot

Car Spotter Plymouth Twofer: Belvedere and Horizon

Car Spotter: circa-1970 Dodge C-series medium duty truck

Van Spotter: Daily-driver Dodge B-van

Car spotter: Dodge D-200

Car Spotter: Plum Crazy 1971 Dodge Challenger

Car Spotter: 1971 Plymouth Fury Pursuit Car

Car Spotter: 1914 Dodge Bros. Touring Car

1951 DeSoto: Toothy-Grilled Car Spotter

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