ISSUE 9TB
SEPTEMBER 2019
WCM66.COM
THE STORY OF
“THE AMERICAN MUTT” Photography by; Mike Caplan
PICTORIAL SHOWCASE OF THE AMERICAN CAR CULTURE
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THE STORY OF
“THE AMERICAN MUTT” Photography and Story by; Mike Caplan
MODEL: Marissa Anne TRUCK: 1950 Dodge B Series Pickup OWNER: Doug Sampognaro
When you’re only in your mid 30s and you’ve already owned more than 20 vehicles, it’s fair to say you qualify as a “Car Guy.” Doug Sampognaro is in a totally different league. He’s bought and sold more than 70 cars and trucks! But he’s finally found one he plans to keep forever. This perfectly-tarnished beauty is a 1950 Dodge B Series Pickup. Back in the day they earned the nickname “Pilothouse” because the high-visibility windshield resembled a similar feature on some ships. Original equipment on the truck included a flat-head 6 and a three-speed mounted to the steering column. Doug found his dream truck on Craig’s List last year. Terry Dean of Franklin Park had owned it for 38 years but never even had the chance to drive it. When Doug made the trip up from his home in the southern suburbs, he found out why. The truck was basically in pieces in the Dean’s garage. There it had sat since the Carter administration, waiting to rumble to life again. Because Terry was in failing health, his brother Brad sold the jalopy jigsaw puzzle for $1700. Doug is a raging Mopar fanatic like the rest of this family. But to piece this Dodge together would require him to break from brand loyalty for the good of the truck and his bank account. Luckily he found a newer Mopar power plant on line. He pirated the screaming V-10 out of a Dodge 3500 dually-a significant upgrade from the small-block engine he originally envisioned for the truck. All that gloriously-distressed sheet metal needed something to sit on though. For that, he defected to the bow tie. A Chevy S-10 chassis now serves as the “skeleton” for the truck. Turns out there’s even some Ford blood in her too. Thank a retired “Explorer” for the improved rear differential and disc brakes that help the truck stop and go. It took Doug with a little help from his dad and a buddy more than half a year of nights and weekends to bolt, weld and “will” it all together. The final result a rolling rusty relic that captures almost as much nostalgia as attention. It’s no surprise then that Doug calls his truck “The American Mutt.” And this dog can hunt. Case in point-the massive cloud of smoke that arose to a chorus of cheers during the burnout competition at this summer’s Mopar Nationals in Ohio. When those ten cylinders come to life, rubber stands no chance. Of course there is a penalty for all of that displacement. Gas. Doug prefers to rate his fuel efficiency by smiles to the gallon, not miles. If that’s the case then Doug will see plenty of happy faces because “The American Mutt” is not destined to spend more of its life forgotten in a garage. Doug drives the Pilothouse almost every day. And people are noticing. This truck will be featured on next year’s calendar for Bumper to Bumper. She shows off mighty nice next to a pretty model too! There’s only one regret Doug has about the entire transformation. When he bought the truck from the Deans, he promised to give Terry a ride and chance to drive it for the first time. Sadly, Terry passed away just weeks before Doug was able to finish the truck. But Terry’s long relationship with the truck will soon be honored. A memorial plaque bearing his name is being given to Doug who will stitch it permanently into the cabin of the Pilothouse. Based on a dealer’s sticker still affixed to the truck, Doug believes The American Mutt may have spent its entire life in Chicagoland. We will likely never know how that story began 70 years ago, but with Doug at the helm of this Pilothouse many exciting chapters lie ahead.
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