GMC Sierra Grande honors a well-traveled loved one - Chicago Daily Herald
"I would only see him once a year or every other year," said Bjorklund. "Uncle Claus would drive cross country from his home on the West Coast, living in the back along the way. Claus went through three different campers over the decades but the pickup, aside from its many miles of use, remained rock solid and reliable. So much so that he still owned the GMC in 2005 when Bjorklund and his stepson, Nick Kasper, were visiting him. "I couldn't believe how little rust was on the vehicle and its overall good shape," Bjorklund said. Bjorklund's interest in restoring the truck was piqued but it was his son who provided the final motivation. I've had to learn as we go. ". With his uncle's blessing, the Bjorklund men made a return trip for the Sierra and drove it back to their Lombard garage. Once all the body panels were stripped and prepped, we painted them in the garage," Bjorklund said. When new, the truck wore a coat of Moss Olive Green and White paint but during Claus' ownership, it changed colors. "Claus's third camper shell was brown and white and he painted the truck to match. The original 454-cubic-inch V-8 remains underhood, but they rebuilt it, along with the transmission, for many more years of dependability. Source: www.dailyherald.com
