SALINAS, Ca.–Long time Salinas body shop owner Gene Cochetti had never talked publicly about resorting John Steinbeck’s historic Rocinante camper van until we showed up in our camper van.
And we did not have to be towed to Gene Cochetti’s Auto Body Shop in downtown Salinas.
In 1990 Rocinante was delivered to the same body shop. “It was a real piece of junk,” Cochetti said during a mid-June, 2016 conversation in his body shop garage. “It came on a tow truck. We had to do everything. We had to put tires on it. We had to get everything running. And then I had to research the color, the camper shell, the wood of the camper, because it is very, very heavy. It was three-quarter ton with an eight foot box, which is really rare. There must have been ten guys pushing it into our shop.
“Everything was maple inside, which was very hard to match and to refinish. We took the camper off the truck and repainted the truck completely. It had to be a certain green. We had to put the six ply tires on brand new and then take the wheels off. We painted the rims. We researched it so we had to pinstripe the wheels and put all new rubber on to make it look new. We took off all the chrome that was tarnished and rusted and put on all new chrome. It was a big project. That’s not a big problem with me. But we did it for free. I wanted to give something back to the community that has been so wonderful for me. I wanted to give back to the people who helped me be successful for 40 years.
“We’re the oldest independent auto body shop in the Monterey County.”
It took Cochetti nearly two months to bring Rocinante completely back to life. Cochetti has always been a collision specialist except early in his career in the 1950s and 60s when he restored custom hot rods and vintage cars. He found more money in car wrecks.
“We had to get it running because we couldn’t push that big monster around,” he continued. “It ran fine. Except we had to tune it up, put in plugs and make it worthy for the road. We didn’t farm anything out. We did it all in here. We got it all ready to go and they came back and told me, “Oh, by the way Cochetti, you have to drain every liquid out of that truck. Gas, all the oil, drain the fluids off. And then we’ll call a tow truck and have it taken to the Steinbeck Center. So we had to to this all over again, not thinking that when you put a vehicle in a locked-in building, you have to make everything dry. Once we did all of that, they were happy and we went down the road.
“It was a fun project.”
Cochetti was born in Schenectady, N.Y. in 1938 and arrived in Salinas in 1952 with his mother Estelle and father Salvador. Salvador Cochetti was a barber in New York and came to California to become a fisherman. That didn’t work out so he became a house painter. Estelle worked in Salinas area restaurants.
Today, the population of Salinas is about 155,000 people. Cochetti said the population was around 40,000 when his family came to town. “It is basically all ag,” he said. “It used to be mainly lettuce. No hard peaches and no hard watermelons. Then the grapes come. The grapes are big because of the wineries. And now strawberries are the big thing. So the lettuce is sort of just there.”
Cochetti’s first car was a 1941 Plymouth, a ride that he stretched out through the Salinas Valley.
“I bought my first hot rod in high school,” he said. “We played with that for a while and I left for the Navy. When I returned I had a good time. And then I got married and that was the end of that. The funny part is that my wife was in junior high with me. And I knew her. But I never took her out. I knew her in high school, never saw her after graduation. And then one day after I came back from the service I was at my dad’s place. I happened to be driving to work and I saw this foxy gal walking down the street with high heels on and nice legs. So I looked and said, ‘I’ll be darned, that’s Rusty!’ And I pulled over and said, ‘Do you want a ride to work?’ And there was only like, a block and a half to work. And she said, ‘Uh, yeah.’ So that’s how we met again. And from there on, we got married and had a couple of kids and a great life.”
Now semi-retired, Cochetti was married for 45 years. Rusty passed away in 2007. “The shop has always been self owned,” he said. “My son (Chris) has taken this thing over. He’s way better than I am. He’s a computer genius and car genius. I taught him when he was in elementary school. He’s going to be 50 pretty soon. And we’ve had a great relationship, an important relationship with your dad and your son.”
Cochetti did not feel a close connection to Steinbeck while working on the camper van. “I didn’t know the man, I never read one of his books,” he said. “Everybody said he was a great writer.
The hard part was researching this thing. They wanted it just like if it came from the dealership to me. It’s probably way better than when he had it. Now, a lot of people see it. And we have a little plaque that says, ‘Work done by Gene Cochetti Auto Body Shop in Salinas.’ We started with about nothing and now it will be there (in the National Steinbeck Center, just a few blocks away) when I’m gone and everybody
else is gone.”
Very cool read. Do you have more pictures of the interior of the cab and/or camper? This needs to be on YouTube!
Thanks again,
–Zeke
Thank you so much for writing this and even more to restore such a significant vehicle. I just started to read John Steinbeck’s „Travels with Charlie“, and am intrigued by Rocinante. Wonder if it is the first of its kind, since it was a custom made set up. Anyhow, job super well done.
Dear Mr. Cochetti,
Thank you for restoring Rocinante. I look forward to seeing her when I visit Salinas again, hopefully soon. I have been there twice, once in 1976, and again in 2005. I have had an interest in the area since reading some of Mr. Steinbeck’s books in junior high school and later.
Recently a friend and I drove across the continent to attend the the “final concert” in Paul Simon’s “final tour” in Corona Park, Flushing Meadows, Queens. A memorable event.
On the way back across Canada (we are Canadians) we listened to an audiobook, “Travels With Charley” which we both thoroughly enjoyed. Mr. Steinbeck is a great writer.
Thank you for restoring his vehicle and for keeping memories of America alive.
Thank you for your passion Brian,
We will pass this along to our friends in Salinas.
Keep in touch, Dave
I was wondering what colour of green the truck was painted. I’ve travelled to the Steinbeck centre twice and the truck appears to be forest green; but I have read it’s emerald green. I would love to know and what a brilliant job of restoration.
When I was there a couple of times I swore it was Forest Green. I believe however it is indeed Emerald Green.
What a wonderful job you did to completely restore this pickup. Quite an accomplishment and a well received treasure to remember John Steinbeck. I am sure there are many more thankful people that you have done work on their custom vehicles. You should be proud and your son is carrying on your legacy.
It’s been about 50 years since I read Travels with Charley.
Am now listening to it as an audio book on my smartphone.
It is delightful to find (via Google) this info about his camper.
Thank you for your careful loving restoration of Rocinante!
Jude retired RN & finally a Christian!
I too would like to thank for restoring Rocinante. I just finished reading Travels with Charlie. It is the only Steinbeck book I’ve ever read, even though I’ve known of Steinbeck forever. I actually picked this book up off if a ‘free’ table at the side of the road. I had to tape it together ;-). I could not put the book down, once started.
I was born 4 years before Steinbeck’s travels and it’s interesting how his words echo what I feel now, at 63…although from a female perspective.
Anyway, I digress, hope someday to day the infamous Rocinante, even though I live in London, Ontario, Canada.
Love seeing the pictures.
Thank you and exceptionally well done.
Maria
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts Maria. Stay in touch, Dave
Now at age 65, I still vividly recall John Steinbeck’s book “Travels with Charie.” I read it in 7th or 8th grade and still float back to the wonderful imagery he painted of what must have been a phenomonal journey. Editorial license may well have been taken in the spectrum of colorful details – perhaps fictional – in terms of who, what, why, where and when this journey was accomplished. However, any such license served only to enhance to wonder of this remarkable experience.
I still recall the desire the book gave me to wander and experience the wonder of America. I evolved into a Merchant Marine Officer in 1976 and took the opportunity to travel, observe and enjoy the places and people I have been fortunate enough to encounter around the world. But to this day I would still jump at the chance to make such a USA country-wide wheel borne expedition.
I still need a most valued dog friend for accompaniment. Not “bleu” I regret. I happen to have one of those! I miss only a solid, over-the-cab truck with camper and I’m off! (Will someone please explain this to my wife? I’ll send flowers and postcards).
Hey Gary, thank you so much for the thoughtful note. Keep the dream alive, Dave
Our Book Group understand that the truck was made by GMC, but who actually built the Camper and the interior of the same.
After listening to Steinbeck’s book on Audible in November, I followed his lead by picking up a 2020 GMC 3/4 ton pickup and Wolf Creek camper, although not green. This spring, with my daughter’s large rescue dog, “Pete”, we will attempt to follow John and Charlie’s tracks around the country. Of course, the camper has been christened and will be labeled “Rocinante”. Salinas sounds like a good stop. Thanks for saving the real Rocinante.
As a Canadian, I am forever grateful to how our American neighbors grasp the greatness of the past history,and the desire to maintain it. As an owner of a 1967 Canadian made Vanguard camper I thank you so much for your work that you have done on this project. God Bless.
Dear Mr. Cochetti,
you did a marvelous job on Rocinante…Thank you for your effort, it’s just heartwarming to know, that someone is taking care about this specific shard of history… Maybe you could check on Ken Kesey’s Furthur bus…? 🙂
Thank you once again
Any chance you have the vin of rocinante? I was telling my wife about the book and showed her a pic. She said that was exactly like the truck at her parents old ranch. It was owned by her grandfather who was from Salinas. What are the chances?
I attended St. John the Baptist diocesan high school in West Islip New York. I graduated in 1978. Mr. Paganini was My 12th Grade English teacher, who had us read the book “Travels with Charlie” and report on it. Reading was not my strong point, and I struggled through the book. After graduating high school, I joined the United States Coast Guard and was stationed in Sitka Alaska. Upon completion of my four year enlistment, I traveled from Long Island NY to Sitka, Alaska, via the Alaskan Highway and Alaska Marine Highway to try my hand at Commercial fishing. after striking out, I travel back to New York and became a New York City Firefighter. During the summer of 1993, my wife and I traveled to Alaska in a 1993 Dodge Ram pickup and Old Sunline Slideon Camper. I’ve driven to Alaska four times, and believe I have at least one more trip in me. I’m grateful to John Steinbeck, for writing the book “Travels with Charlie”, as I believe in influenced me in wanting to get on the road and see America. I’d like to thank Mr. Colletti for refurbishing Mr. Steinbeck‘s truck and camper. Maybe one day, I’ll get to see it. That would be nice. Regards, Thomas J May Jr, Cutchogue NY
What a fantastic story… thanks to Gene and crew for restoring Rocinante! Growing up in Monterey I read pretty much all of Steinbeck’s books. (When I was in college, I actually drove school bus up the valley where “The Pastures of Heaven” was set… and I used to kick around the same tidepools as Doc Ricketts). Travels with Charlie was one of my favorites– I loved the connections he made with folks along the way. I’m 68 now and still pretty feisty… I can’t believe that I’ve never made it to the Steinbeck Center. This story, and peoples comments here, are making me think that it might be time for my own adventure!
I just finished reading Travel’s With Charlie, and could not imagine how Steinbeck could fit visitors into his camper on the back of his truck. I had imagined a small space under some sort of “cap.” Rocinante is a different creature entirely! So great to see the real, restored vehicle. Thanks to Mr. Cochetti for restoring it, and to you, Dave for posting this information.
Thanks for reading and sharing our journey, Katherine!
Currently listening to “Travels with Charley”. I imagined Rocinante as being a much bigger truck not a pickup. How did he fit everything in? And that family of potato pickers, that evening. No wonder her rear tyres gave out. Really enjoying the story, feel like I’m riding along with him. And sharing his whiskey when I have a glass tonight