Running When Parked is dedicated to RWP’ed motorcycles, minibikes and ATVs. That was until I found this super-cool 1959 GMC Van listed on the Facebook Marketplace. Do you see the potential I see? The first thing I’d do is contact Wally Hackensmith and commission him to come up with a paint scheme and graphics for this beautiful bike hauler. I don’t care if I have to tow the thing to the races if it has a Hackensmith wrap.
Next I’d get the engine and drivetrain dialed in and finally massage the interior. Sure, it would be a lot of work and more than a little money, but I can’t image a much sweeter team van when I got done. Or when you get done with it.
The $7000 is kinda crazy unless the old plumbing truck starts right up and doesn’t emit as much white smoke as a 1972 Maico 250. Judging from the dashboard shot, it doesn’t appear the truck is ready to fire up easily (or even roll). It would be easy to drop $20,000 to bring it back to life so you might offer the guy to get it off his property or slip him $1000 and start your project.
The phrase “running when parked” (RWP) is code for a once treasured possession that has been neglected in the corner of the garage or tool shed for far too long. Lacking the energy, time or resources to bring the little beauty back to life, the owner lists it for sale in hopes that a new owner will massage it back to health. Our collection of RWP bikes fall into two distinct categories; treasure or trash. And you are the only one who can properly judge which category the bike belongs in.