1952 Dodge remote TV van came in today

[ccsial]

Julian: I was happy to hear the truck is still out there. How is the restoration coming? I worked as an engineer for KDAL in 1967-1968 and worked the truck with John Harrison. The Rudy you mentioned is Rudy Luukinen, He was assistant chief engineer when I was there. Bob Dettman was the chief.

We used the truck every Sunday to broadcast local Church services. We would set up a Church and do three Sundays before moving to the next one.

It also did special events on occasion. We did special editions of the Town and Country show with Dottie Becker from “Goldfine’s by the Bridge” department store. We also televised an American/Russian hockey game from the Duluth arena auditorium.

I drove the truck sometimes. It had a non synchronized transmission. I learned how to double clutch on that truck.

This is the only picture I have of the truck. It was scanned from a 3 X 5 photo. It will be nice to see some pictures when it is done.

I left KDAL in 68 and went on to start an Industrial electronics corporation. I am semi retired from it these days in Northern Illinois.

Al Holecek

[zenith2134]

Incredible. This has become one of my all-time favorite threads.

[markdi]

yes - a very kool thread

Too bad there are no pictures of the interior when the truck was
young.

[julianburke]

Hello Everyone!

First I want to thank you Al, for the picture of this van! Do you know about when this picture was taken?

Here is the update of this Dodge. I haven't done much with it yet and a friend of mine who is a good bodyman said he would get into the sheet metal and help with its' restoration. I need to remove all of the equipment inside and clean-clean-clean!! The cameras and cables were not with it when I received it. I do know where they were last seen. Robert Muhich who purchased it from KDAL used it a few times for his broadcasting class at the local college where he taught. He kept the cameras (RCA TK-11's) in storage at the college along with the cables to keep them out of the weather because of infrequent use as it was a bear to "fire up" and use. When he left the college, he forgot about them and no one knows where they went from there.

I have since found two matching RCA TK-11's that I will use with this van. Sure would be nice to have the originals!

When I talked with John Harrison who picked this van up in Chicago from WGN in 1961, it had the original paint job on it which was a mustard yellow color. The paint is fading and some of that yellow is exposing some of the original sign on it and I am hopeful that when we start sanding it down, we will see the original sign! YES, I'll be taking plenty of pictures of it!!!

My only dilimma now is which paint job to use-the existing one which is nice or the ORIGINAL with WGN which has much history?? It was originally used in the '50's to televise the Cubs games from Wrigley Stadium! Most likely it did other shows as there couldn't have been many of these such vans.

What do you people think? Which way should I go here???? Remember, this Dodge van is only one of two vans (all TV vans-not just Dodge) known to exist with all original equipment. It is a 1952 Dodge Route Van and Dodge built very few of such vehicles and finding body parts is very slim. I think it's a neat looking van and it has much promise!

Another thing I found on evilbay was a 1961 book published by WGN of all their history up to that point. With over 200 pages and as many pictures I though surely there would be some reference to this van. There wasn't. To add insult to this injury, I had to pay dearly for this book. Normally they go for well under $20 here and I paid over $50. I just had to know!

Your nut case here, Julian Burke

[ccsial]

Originally Posted by julianburke

Hello Everyone!

First I want to thank you Al, for the picture of this van! Do you know about when this picture was taken?

I took that picture in the summer of 1967. During the time KDAL had the van it was parked in a rented garage near the TV studios.

I tried to look at the pictures in your original post Juian, but it says that page is not available.

I'm biased of course, but the KDAL paint is what I'd favor. I did work for WGN for a few months after I left KDAL but then took a job with DEC. If that truck could tell stories you would really hear some good ones.

Al