Focus on Texas: Restored

Reclamation projects remain in pristine condition forever in our slideshow

By Grace Arsiaga August 2016

John Crouch, Nueces EC: Crouch began restoring this 1959 Chevrolet Apache 3100 when he was 15. “Now, four years later, the truck has been fully restored in my garage, and I drive it daily,” he says.

Debbie Nivison, Wood County EC: Eli Nivison and grandfather Ron Davis restored this 1920 John Deere sulky plow. Eli won reserve champion in the Ag Mechanics contest at the 2016 Southwestern Exposition & Livestock Show in Fort Worth.

Judy Truesdell, Farmers EC: Texas master naturalist David Powell and community volunteers work to restore 22 acres of endangered blackland prairie in Wylie.

Erika Guerrero, Fayette EC: Ryan Guerrero of Bellville FFA restored this Farmall H tractor in 2013.

Brenda Weeks, Medina EC: A 1956 Chevy during a 2016 sunset near Cotulla

Web Extra: Karen Rich, Bowie-Cass EC: Pop’s pride and joy

Web Extra: Richard Bay, Hamilton County EC: Bay’s grandfather owned one of these 1949 Chris Craft Sportsman Sedans when he lived in Vermont. He sold it 31 years ago. When Bay retired, he sought to buy a boat similar to the one of his childhood. He found this one listed by a seller in Vermont. He bought it and had it shipped to Texas. While inspecting the boat, he found a registration card with his grandfather’s name on it! Bay named the boat Sweet Memories to honor his grandfather.

Web Extra: Janice Campbell, CoServ: A pristine red Chevy

Web Extra: Karen Garrett, Guadalupe Valley EC: Cody Garrett restored this 1962 Schafer tractor and was the Delo Tractor Restoration Competition grand champion in 2014.

Web Extra: Chris Bradley, Central Texas EC: Chad Meyers repairs the Bradleys’ vintage windmill, which is for looks only. “No more groaning in the wind and scaring neighbors,” Bradley says.

Web Extra: Sherry Willome, Bandera EC: Willome inherited a threadbare chair from her grandmother. It had been in storage since 1970. After restoration, it’s now a beautiful heirloom that she hopes her kids will want in their home.