Vintage Gold

By George L. Nitti In 1959. Wayne Plunske, the founder of Plunske’s Garage in Wallingford, Ct., purchased a red and black ’41 Dodge power wagon with a Holmes 440. It would go on to become a classic, like many at Plunske’s Garage. Plunske, who passed away in 2015 at the age of 87, started the business in 1949, leaving his 2 sons, Dan and Jim, to carry on his legacy of collecting and maintaining a fleet of classic tow trucks that continue to be used today. Jim Plunske said, “My father started the towing business to bring cars into the garage for repair. As the towing business grew, he saw that it had a life of its own and kept adding to the fleet. He was one of the first to own a flatbed in ’73.” Regarding the ’41 Dodge, he said, “In the days before power lifts, hand cranks were used to lift the vehicles onto the trucks. By ’65, the cranks were replaced by an early Holmes unit, and then again replaced in 1990 with the 440 where an electric front winch was added.” With a fleet of 42 trucks, more than 20 of them are classics, enhancing their image and setting them apart from their competition. Plunske said, “People think it’s cool. Anybody can buy a new truck. These trucks are well taken care of, like kids.” His father’s favorite was a 1955 Ford F250. Plunske said, “It was a wreck chaser because it had a 390 Thunderbird engine. Back in the day, the first tow truck on scene got the work.” A couple of other classic units in their fleet include a WWII vintage ’41 Diamond T, used for hauling tractors, which has two axles on the back, and a ’58 International with a 40-ton Weld Built Boom. The company takes pride in keeping their fleet in tip top shape. Plunske said, “My father was a navy man. If it didn’t move, he painted it. He always liked things painted and clean.” Brag @ TIW! Should your truck be featured here? Send a few pics and your contact information to the editor at georgenitti@gmail.com. You might even be selected to go in print, too, in American Towman magazine!