WHTBY FREE PÈESS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2,1989, PAGE 21 '56 Cannonball was Rogers' best buy By Mike Johnston As we go-to Bowmanville along Hwy 401 heads quickly turn to catch a glimpse of the vehicle we are travelling in. The 1956 antique GMC truck was probably the best buy of Whitby businessman Don Rogers' life. About three years ago Rogers, owner of Signet Signs in Whitby, was talking to an American about antique trucks. Rogers expressed interest in buying one and the man said he would keep an eye open. A few months later he phoned Rogers and made him aware of a 1956 GMC truck for sale in Iowa. Rogers wrote to the owner of the truck and after seeing a picture, purchased it sight un- seen. "The truck was delivered to Chicago and we drove it up here from there," says Rogers. He realized that there may have been similar trucks avail- able in Canada but he noted the weather conditions in the U.S. were better for the body of any antique vehicle. After purchasing the truck, Rogers -turned his attention to buyin a trailer. He found a 40-ft. trailer (small compared to today's trailers), with a wood floor, that had been stored for 20 years. He brought both to Whitby, where for the next 18 months the truck and trailer were meticulously restored. Rogers says the truck and trai- ler cost him $10,000 but are now worth $100,000. Rogers has always been inter- estecd in antique trucks, from both a personal perspective and a business one. "The truck is used with the trucking industry. This is a hobby of mine and it is a great marketing tool," says Rogers, whose company specializes in truck lettering. His own truck's lettering is done in 22-karat gold - a lost art, according to Rogers. • Old oit can be disposed With the weather perfect for outdoor activity, vehicle owners may prefer to do their own oil changes. But where to dispose of that old oil? Durham Region was faced with this problem six months ago when it realized there was nowhere, except for the Brock West landfill site, for people to dis pose of old oil. "There used to be nowhere available. People used to just keep hazardous waste or put it into landfill," said the Region's technical support manager Ken Donnelly. But now there are sites around the Region where the oil can be disposed of he said. Brock West in Pickering and the Oshawa transfer station on Ritson Rd. are equipped to nanalie ota ou. Residents can take all house- hold hazardous wastes such as paint, paint thinner and oil to Brock West. The Oshawa trans- fer station will only accept old oil. The oil is kept in a storage tank until the Region collects enough to call a hauler who takes used oil and sell it to a comipany who refurbishes it. "There are companies that can use the oil. They clean it and sell it again," said Donnelly. He added there are gas stations in the region that will also accept used oil. Those stations usually have signs in- dicating they accept the oil, said Donnelly. But because the Region is SEE PAGE 27 He has named the rig Cannon- ball, after the 1950's television show that featured a GMC truck. The truck has 10 gears and is equipped with air conditioning and power steering, rare options in 1956, according to Rogers. "It still drives smoothly," says Rogers, as we pass the new headquarters for General Motors just outside Oshawa., He gears up to pass a slower truck and there is a grinding from the transmission. "If you hear grinding noises don't worry, I miss a gear every now and then," said Rogers jok- ingly. As a member of the Canadian Antique Truck Society and the Antique Club of America, Rogers monthly receives newsletters and information on upcoming antique shows. He has attended a number of shows, winning a trophy for best tractor at an event ii Kleinburg, Ont., and the truckers' award for best truck at a show in Pennsyl- SEE PAGE 27 lie~ NO PAYMENTS TIL **"1990" 3 YEARS FREE RIDE. MAINTENANCE See Dealer For Details THE SMART WAY TO BUY YOURO NEW CAR!- OUR VERY OWN EXCLUSIVE ***e9g RNANGNG 3 YEARS FREE RIDE MAINTENANÅ' See Dealer For Details A DEALER WORKNG TO SAVE YOu MONEY! 1.1~I Ait i~~.'.~"". 4"X ~ %~~ ~.1 " > Cannot combine both offers Payments start 180 days from delivery. Based on 16.750%, interest, t O.A.C. BaÊed on $10,000.00 max., 24mths. max., C.O. B. $456.38 per month, $953.12 interest. Blended rates available for longer terms x.§ and higher amounts O.A.C. à = I l'ni C>UILIdr WWÀPA