Originally a Telecom truck, and still wearing the livery, the Dodge spent around 20 years much loved in Carisbrook as the Chaplins Store truck, owned by Russell (dec) & Sylvia Chaplin and their son John.
Originally sporting a 265 Hemi 6 cylinder and 4 speed, John later had a 318 hiball v8 motor rebuilt to truck specs by M&W in Ballarat, fitted balanced and blueprinted, along with a 5 speed box.
Sign writing on the truck was done by the younger Chaplin brother Brian. I beleieve he also did a painting of the truck and it featured in wedding photos when he married Belinda.
The truck later passed to a cousin who brought it to Queensland.
The Dodge is now owned by Nicholas Taylor and you will occasionally see it carting a load of hay up the Toowoomba range or moving the odd head of cattle to the sales.
Story and photos by Brian and Belinda Chaplin and Nicholas Taylor
