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Elliott (right) and Ronald Bray in front of family-owned roofing business with '41 Chevy truck in 1976

Submitted by Doris Jane Smith

I am writing to you on behalf of a friend, a 67 year old cancer survivor who searched for over 40 years to locate the 1941 red Chevy truck belonging to Elliott Bray, his grandfather. It was purchased to be used for a family-owned roofing business located in Dobbs Ferry, New York. The truck was sold while he was serving in Vietnam and when he returned to the U.S. he continued to search for the little red truck bearing his family name on the side.<br

Fast forward 40 years and upon undergoing cancer treatments a nurse in the special dentist office mentioned that in her garage in Yonkers, New York was a little red truck. Would he like to come and see it? Immediately he had another fireman (he is a fireman) help him locate the house and the garage in Yonkers and upon opening the garage door...there it was...the little red truck, covered in dirt with 4 flat tires. Upon further examination of the truck and the glove compartment it revealed the original papers, keys, invoice, etc... All there as it had been placed in 1945 when the truck was out on the road. It had served as a recruiting truck until Chevy gave permission to have it enter the family roofing business.

For the past two years Ronnie Bray, the grandson of the original owner, and his friend have worked, constructed and maintained the little red truck. It is now on the roads of Dobbs Ferry as they continue to work on it to restore its life and luster.

Thank you for this opportunity to tell our story of the little red truck of yesteryear.

Ronnie looking at grandfather's truck for first time in many years

Being transported to Dobbs Ferry, 2006

Rear condition

On July 19, 2009, the little red truck makes its debut at a classic car and truck show in Westchester County, New York. It is the first of many shows that Ron hopes to share the little truck with others. Bobby and he have driven the little red truck all around the village of Dobbs Ferry, New York and it is quite a sight.

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