On July 30th, the Moose Truck will be inspected by my inspection mechanic Jimmy, at Stoner-Wade for the 30th time. I drove that truck out of the same building in July of 1983, and Jimmy has been there to inspect it every year since. Pennsylvania offers an Antique license plate, which does not require a yearly inspection, or annual plate renewal. Reading the requirements for complying with the antique plate, I believe I have been meeting them for some time. I will be applying for the plate with form MV-11, and if accepted, then this upcomming inspection will be it's last. Since I have been maintaining the truck to a high standard all along, the state inspection process has become a bit of a joke, and I see no need to keep giving the state money when I have so many other vehicles they are collecting on. Since I seem to have the oldest rig, it would seem only fitting that I be the first with an antique plate. Perhaps the trip to the Henry Ford museum inspired me to make this decision. I don't know how long God will let me keep this truck, but if it manages to outlast me, I'd hope that fate is kind to it, and that my family would see it preserved in some way. Perhaps future generations will have the ability to see Ford's first diesel pickup in a museum somewhere.
