Lisa Brown’s Truck of Love

Article: Rob Maetzig

Lisa Brown calls her 1946 Chevrolet pick-up her “Truck of Love” – and there’s a heartwarming reason why.

Eighteen years ago Lisa and her husband Andrew purchased the classic American truck in an on-line auction, with the intention of transforming it into their dream vehicle.

Early in the project other personal commitments got in the way, which meant progress was slow for the Palmerston North couple. And then just when things were gaining momentum Andrew was diagnosed with cancer, which led to the ordeal of operations and chemotherapy.

“Andrew was sick for three and a half years,” recalls Lisa. “It was tough. While he was getting his treatment he tried to work on the pick-up, but his health just got worse and worse.”

But help was at hand. In 2022 the Chevrolet was trucked to Lisa’s cousin Chris Harrison, owner of Hamilton car restoration specialists Bad Penny Classic and Custom Services, and he and his team got stuck into the project, with plenty of assistance from Andrew and Lisa’s family and friends.

Meanwhile, back in Manawatu members of the Palmerston North Hot Rod Club joined in, raising money in a variety of ways, including cutting and selling firewood and kindling.

It all reached a climax in May 2024 when the beautifully restored pick-up, painted in a hue specially created according to Andrew’s wishes, was transported back to Palmerston North for its official reveal in front of the Browns, their family and friends.

“It was a wonderful event,” says Lisa. “At the time the vehicle wasn’t fully finished, but we did the reveal for Andrew. It then went through the process of being completed and fully certified, and five weeks after that had happened, Andrew passed away.”

Lisa is so appreciative of the help she and Andrew received while he was ill that she calls the Chevrolet Pick-up her Truck of Love.

“People are such a blessing – and our truck is the perfect illustration of that. These days I drive it three or four times a week, and I love talking about it. And with all that help we received, it’s such an honour to now live the dream and drive it.”

One of Andrew’s wishes was to enter in an Americarna, so early last year Lisa honoured that wish by driving the pick-up to Taranaki and participating in the big event. The visit proved a big success – not only were other participants touched by the story of the Chevy, but the vehicle also won the Supercheap Auto Pick award.

Lisa will be at Americarna again in 2026, showing off her truck with its beautiful customisation, unique paintwork, and OO5H rego plate, which honours the “Oosh!” exclamation that was regularly part of Andrew Brown’s vocabulary.