ou know the age-old saying, “If you love something, set it free …”? Well, I honestly used to believe it was just a way in which to comfort the brokenhearted, as I’ve set many things free and have yet to see any come back! While for the most part that’s not a bad thing on my behalf, when it comes to a number of cars and trucks I once owned, I sure wish that saying would’ve rang true.

ou know the age-old saying, “If you love something, set it free …”? Well, I honestly used to believe it was just a way in which to comfort the brokenhearted, as I’ve set many things free and have yet to see any come back! While for the most part that’s not a bad thing on my behalf, when it comes to a number of cars and trucks I once owned, I sure wish that saying would’ve rang true.

For Ray Fields, it’s a different story—one with a truly happy ending—when it comes to his 1964 Chevy C10. Back in the late ’80s, Ray acquired the fleetside with the initial intention of flipping it. Well, as it turned out, the Chevy became his daily! Eventually, however, he did end up selling it to a friend who, in turn, took the truck from Southern California with him back to Ohio. Now normally this is where the story would end … but, once again, this is no normal story!

Years later during a visit out west, Ray’s friend made it known that he was thinking of selling the C10—and, suffice it to say, that bird set free was on its way back home. This go-around, however, Ray enlisted the help of his son, Jack, who, at the time, was co-owner of Starlite Rod & Kustom (Jack has since branched out on his own under the banner of Krafstman Autoworks). The Fields father-son duo took to the once-daily and gave her a much-needed freshen-up, which included updating the suspension from a static configuration to adjustable via air assist; bodywork and paint (one of Jack’s true specialties), some new chrome plating, and a quick trip to Chuy’s Auto Interiors for some fresh threads followed. The trusty small-block Chevy 350 and Turbo 350 trans Ray originally installed proved to be the workhorses they’re known to be and still power the shortbed to this very day.

It’s going on six years now since Ray and Jack brought the C10 back into the Fields family—let’s hope this time around she’s home for good!