Jasen Arias' 1972 Ford Highboy

By Jasen Arias

I'm not really sure where to start with a story like this. It's easy to say at the beginning, but that truly would mean the beginning!

Ya have to understand that while yes, this is a cool truck. . . but it's the history that make it invaluable!

The truck you see above was purchased by my Grandfather in 1972. . . maybe 71. . . the point is, he bought it new.

Then, because my Grandfather was a baddass, he wouldn't let his kids drive a car without knowing how to drive a stick-shift. So you got it! My MOM learned how to drive on that very same truck.

Time eventually passed, my mom married my dad. They had me. My dad opened up a cabinet show here in Reno Nevada, and eventually my Dad bought the truck to use at his shop. And that's when things went a little rough for this old girl. . . if you have ever been a part of a "shop", you know how rough they can be on vehicles.

But the story continued. In 1995, I had just wrecked my 1968 mustang and I needed something Mom felt safe about. . . and so it began! One of the longest relationships I have to this day.

So like I said. . . where do you start a story like that? After all, this is a blog post and not novel. . . but it really could be one. The difference in time between the two photos above is 42 years!!! That's a lot to unpack!

And YES! Believe it or not, that is the SAME EXACT 1978 Avion trailer attached to the same exact 1972 Ford F250 Highboy! The difference being that now MY kids are the ones living out their childhoods with these in the background.

So to say that this truck has history would certainly be selling it short.

But let's see if I can write out a quick timeline for you anyway!

• A true blue Ford man at heart, Grandpa bought it new in 1972.
• His daughter (my Mom) learned to drive in this truck.
• My Dad purchased this truck for his shop in the late 80's (the bad years)
• During high school, I took ownership in 1995. (The worse years)
• Before leaving for college I lifted and "budget built" the truck.
• After the Reno flood of '97, it sat in storage till Mid 2016.
• Official restoration started in 2018
• It has been a daily driver since 2019