"I started working on cars when I was 8 years old," he said, chuckling. "We used to rebuild batteries back then."

A family of 11 meant everyone had to pitch in.

On the farm, in the family sawmill.

"We were men at 10 years old back in those days."

But Rudy thrived on hard work. Kinda like the old truck.

During World War II, he worked for D&H Railroad.

"I used to work three days, two nights without sleeping," he remembered.

At one time, he brought home a paycheck from Diamond paper mill, built houses on the side.

In 1960, he opened the shop, where he still puts in a full day at 84.

"He's up early in the morning," put in his son, Roger. "He's out here."

"Never gonna retire," Rudy said.

In '38, the Mesecks (Henry spelled his name with a k') used the pickup to help fight a massive forest fire near Churubusco.

Rudy and his brother Jim filled wooden barrels with river water, loaded them up and drove into the thick of the action in the pickup.

"Almost lost it," Rudy said, remembering the roar of the flames in the trees, the choking smoke. "I stuck my head in a bucket of water, told my bother, Let's get out of here!'"