First put into production in the late 1940s, Ford’s F-series marked the beginning of the company’s dedicated commercial endeavours, becoming the basis for a range of trucks and panel vans. Of course, it has since gone on to become the best selling vehicle in the USA, but this first generation holds a wonderful character and charm all of its own.
Relatively few have made it to this side of the Atlantic, which makes them real collector’s pieces. However, they remain genuinely usable machines, even as daily classics, and are welcomed with open arms and admiring glances at any show you care to mention.
This example has been meticulously restored by the vendor and is now reluctantly offered for sale as they are no longer using it as much as it deserves. Beautifully finished inside and out, with a bold and striking all red exterior twinned with a red-and-cream interior, it’s certainly a vehicle capable of stopping traffic and getting you noticed. If y’all hanker (Stop that – Editor) after a slice of classic 50s Americana, then well pardner (I mean it – Editor) this smart pickup should make you happier than a tornado in a trailer park (That’s it, you’re fired – Editor).
The first you notice in the cabin is how well finished the upholstery is. Red and cream leather adorns the tuck-and-roll bench and door cards, and it looks to be very well done. There’s hardly any evidence of wear and tear, and certainly no damage or tearing we could see.
Complementing this is deep, red, high quality carpeting – which the vendor tells us is “Rolls-Royce style”. Again, it shows no staining, threading or real wear at all. Meanwhile, the headlining is a light cream to match the upholstery and looks nice and taut, with no sagging, staining or damage in evidence.
As this was originally a commercial vehicle, the cabin is quite spartan. But what trim and controls there are preserved in fine order, with no significant damage we can discern. In fact, everything looks incredibly well for the age of the vehicle.
The vendor tells us that everything in the cabin works as it should.L1007794.jpg1.11 MB
The Exterior
Smart red paintwork
Handsomely finished wooden load bed
Lots of wonderful chrome embellishments
Period correct red steel wheels
Rare full chrome grill and three pronged bright work on the sides of the bonnet
There’s certainly no missing this fantastically red pickup truck. The bold colour scheme really suits the vehicle’s lines and detailing – we can well believe this is just how it looked when new. It shows very well too, with a fine gloss and no major marks or blemishes apparent. The vendor notes some minor cracking to the finish on the front wings and some rubbing where the tailgate meets the rear bumper, but otherwise we’re very impressed with the finish on this truck.
Similarly, the body looks to be in good condition, with no damage or corrosion we could discern. The panels all look smooth and neat, and there doesn't appear to be any misalignment we could see.
Neatly contrasting with the red paint are the lashing of chrome brightwork, from the wide front grille to the bumpers and fender detailing. The vendor tells us that it was all stripped and rechromed during the restoration and, other than some localised and very light pitting, it remains in very good order with an attractive lustre and deep shine.
The load bed itself has been refinished with high quality wood with metal trims between each board. It looks to be in very fine fettle and the vendor informs us that they commissioned a professional carpenter to complete the work on their behalf.
Adding a wonderful finishing touch, the 15-inch steel wheels are painted in red to match the bodywork and are garnished with polished hubcaps, for that perfect period look.
With a hearty 4-litre inline-six up front, the vendor tells us that the truck has no problem keeping up with modern traffic – and it sounds fantastic while doing so. The valve-seats in the head have been replaced with hardened units, ensuring the truck can run on unleaded fuel too.
It’s also noted that the wiring has all been updated, while the lights have been converted to full UK specification.
We’re assured by the vendor that the truck starts and runs very well, driving nicely and turning heads wherever it goes.L1007824.jpg770.87 KB
Summary
We love a pickup truck. Especially a classic American F-Series. And this must be one of the nicest examples we’ve seen – updated and refined without losing its quintessential character. Beautifully finished and presented in very good order, we can’t think of many better ways to haul our kinfolk about. (Get out – Editor)
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