Hard to miss in its regal red, this classic Chevrolet pickup has a story tying generations and families together. Leanne Tuntland-Wiebe's 1949 Chevrolet 1300 pickup, Belva May, has been catching eyes ever since it was unveiled at the grand opening of Bumper to Bumper's current location at 111 Chaplin Street West in April 2018. However, before it saw the limelight at various Bumper to Bumper run events like Taking it to the Streets and Cruisin' the Market, it began as an idea after she and her husband, Randy, took to watching shows like Gas Monkey Garage. "We watched a lot of it and watched how they restored, what they took, what they used, and after a few months, we're like, hmm, wouldn't that be fun?" said Leanne. "We knew we wanted something that could be looked at as a delivery vehicle, so not a car. We were looking for a truck." With the vision in mind, they began the hunt for a suitable truck body, one that not only had style but could be viewed as a delivery truck once complete, even if in the end that idea of a working show truck was shelved. "(My husband, Randy,) decided it wasn't going to be a delivery truck," said Leanne. "It was going to be more of a showpiece. I wanted it for a mascot for the business." Leanne would eventually reconnect with a family friend, Kelly Hogg. Growing up, Leanne's parents and grandparents had been friends with the Hogg family, and Leanne had been friends with Kelly's father, Billy. Kelly had originally purchased the truck with his father, who passed before it could be completed. It sat untouched until Leanne made an offer to purchase the truck. "It was sentimental to him, hoping that someday he'd finish the project," said Leanne. "At that time, when I went out there, he couldn't see himself getting it done. So we talked a little bit, and I said, You know, it's still in the family. If you sell it to me, you can see it anytime you want." From there, work on the vehicle commenced under the hands of Claude Dash. They got the truck constructed into its first show-ready appearance at the grand opening event. "On the day of our grand opening event, after the barbecue was over, we opened the garage door of the old building," said Leanne. "We could hear the truck fire up in the garage, and Claude drove Belva May out for the first-ever reveal to the public." Under the Hood, Belva May has always had a 383 stroker. The goal was to really supe up the truck, and make it the belle of any ball it rolled into. However, Leanne talked Randy out of too much go in the pedal. "I still wanted it as a daily driver," said Leanne. "So out of 10, she's probably a nine." In the beginning, the truck was fuel-injected. However, it ran into mechanical issues on a semi-regular basis, enough that a change was made. These days, the truck is carbureted, and running the best it ever has. "I wasn't driving the fuel injection like you're supposed to drive it. I wasn't hammering her down," said Leanne. "So we put a carb back in, and I'm really happy with that. She's working really well this summer. I can drive her, and I know that I'm getting home." Some of the body details on the truck are standouts. The front fenders are adorned with Chevrolet badges from Leanne's first-ever truck she drove, her family's grain truck named Old Blue. "My brother figured I should have them," said Leanne. The name of the truck, Belva May, is sourced from Leanne's mother, Lenora Belva May Tuntland. Going beyond that, the truck is a tribute to the woman who raised Leanne into who she is today. Even the paint of the truck is a shade of red that finds its origins in the lipstick Leanne's mother would wear into town. "My mom never wore makeup, but when she went to town, she always wore lipstick," said Leanne. "It's my mom's lipstick, it's my mom's namesake on the truck, and when I drive her, that's me and my mom." Lenora's legacy lives on not only through this shining tribute but in Leanne's granddaughter, Clementine, whose middle name is Belva May. Leanne doesn't drive Belva May too far these days. She has been invited to car shows across the southwest, but these days, she is content taking Belva May to local events and venues. She loves to drive with her mom around town, enjoying the sights of home. Leanne is especially fond of watching kids enjoy the truck. "At the concerts we used to do, Taking it to the Streets, I had her in the grandstands with me," said Leanne. "And the kids were all over the truck, like, she's fun! I like to think that's a good reflection of myself, letting kids climb over the truck, and letting people enjoy it." If you see Belva May out in public at any of the local car shows, make sure you still obey car show etiquette. Look, don't touch, and ask permission first. While Leanne might not mind children playing around the tribute piece, the rest have to follow the rules. She is happy to share her story of how this truck came to be, what it means, and what it's like having a project like this. In the end, she does occasionally drive Belva May to deliver parts bought at Bumper to Bumper. "I hope I have many more years to drive her in the community," said Leanne. Under the Hood is powered by Great West Auto Electric, your local Bumper to Bumper dealer in Swift Current. Long live your car.