Slatton’s ’46 Dodge pickup boasts all its original parts

By JAMES CLARK / Editor for the Southern Standard

Centertown resident Teddy Slatton has reason to smile when showing his 1946 Dodge pickup that still has all its original parts. Slatton was participating in a car show held yesterday at Wal-Mart to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network.

When Teddy Slatton heads to a car show, he has a difficult decision to make. Which one of his four classic vehicles should he take?

“I usually take this one because it wins,” said Slatton motioning to the 1946 Dodge he brought to a car show yesterday to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network.

In all, Slatton has four vehicles which he has fully restored or is in the process of restoring. He also has a 1950 Dodge pickup and two Plymouth cars, a 1941 and a 1948.

“Once you get started you can’t hardly quit,” said Slatton. “I have extra engines and extra rear ends all around the house.”

But his favorite is the 1946 Dodge, which only has 86,000 miles on the odometer. That’s not bad for a truck approaching 60 years old. The pickup has all its original parts and even its original owner’s manual. Slatton drove it to the show at Wal-Mart from his Centertown home and says it will get up to about 55 mph.

“The truck cost $660 when it was brought brand new and it doesn’t have a heater,” said Slatton. “That’s because it cost $60 more for the heater and old farmers wouldn’t pay that back then.”

Slatton also likes the pickup for sentimental reasons.

“I bought one of these as my first vehicle back in 1956,” said Slatton. “I bought it used and paid $125. So with this, I’m going back to my childhood.”

The car show wasn’t as well attended as organizers had hoped for with about two dozen people participating.

Avery Hittson made the trip from Murfreesboro with his 1972 Chevy pickup which features an all-chrome engine. Hittson has shown the pickup here before during downtown shows in McMinnville.