The Beginning of Passion
Jack’s love for the Dodge Sweptside began in 1968 when he witnessed the Jack Kochman Hell Drivers performing stunts at a county fair. One of the trucks used in the performance was a red-and-white Dodge Sweptside, and its resilience left a lasting impression on him. From that moment on, he dreamed of owning one.
The Rare Dodge Sweptside
Introduced as a response to declining truck sales in the mid-1950s, the Dodge Sweptside was a stylish adaptation of Dodge’s light-duty trucks. Inspired by Chevrolet’s Cameo, Dodge engineers used station wagon quarter panels to create an eye-catching design. However, only around 2,000 to 2,500 units were ever built, making it an incredibly rare find today.
The Search for the Sweptside
Jack spent decades searching for his dream truck. Finally, in 2009, he came across a listing in Hemmings Motor News for a Sweptside in Oregon. Despite visible damage, he purchased it and had it shipped to his home in New York.
Restoration Process – Phase 1
Upon closer inspection, the truck was in worse condition than expected. It lacked an engine and transmission, and several key parts were missing. Jack realized that he would need another donor vehicle to complete the restoration.
Finding the Second Sweptside
After another round of searching, Jack found a second Sweptside in New Jersey. This truck had all the running gear and most of the missing trim pieces. He quickly acquired it, knowing it would be the key to completing his project.
Restoration Process – Phase 2
The next step was to merge parts from both vehicles. The Oregon truck’s body was retained, while the engine and transmission from the New Jersey truck were transplanted. Some custom fabrication was required, including repairing the rear quarter panels and sourcing or replicating rare trim pieces.
One of the biggest challenges was finding replacement taillight bezels. After extensive searching, Jack’s son managed to locate a set at a swap meet. Similarly, a rare “S” shaped trim piece was recreated by a skilled friend in Montreal.
Completion and Showcasing
After years of meticulous work, the restoration was finally completed in 2020. Since then, Jack has proudly displayed his Sweptside at car shows and enjoys taking it for occasional drives.
Lessons from the Restoration Journey
Restoring a rare vehicle requires patience, resourcefulness, and a deep passion for the craft. Jack’s journey highlights the challenges and rewards of bringing a classic car back to life. The joy of the hunt, the thrill of finding rare parts, and the satisfaction of sharing the final product with fellow enthusiasts make it all worthwhile.
