Vehicle Description
This neat little 1939 Ford pickup is what owning a vintage truck is
all about. Not content to be just another one of the guys at the
car show, this beautifully restored hauler offers a gorgeous paint
job, comfortable interior, and reliable Flathead V8 drivetrain that
should carry this former California farm-to-market pickup well into
the next century with proper care.
The beige paint is what utilitarian trucks should always wear:
nothing flashy, but with enough style to turn some heads now that
it's no longer an everyday workhorse. It was a favorite back in the
day, despite Henry Ford being against anything other than black
paints because they were expensive, and nobody will argue that it
doesn't look right, managing to relax the blue-collar design into
something that feels much more sophisticated. It was finished a few
years ago to a very high standard and used as intended only
sparingly sense, and although not a show truck, the finish and
bodywork are both incredibly nice and uniform throughout. There are
a couple very minor blemishes, of course, but none of them do
anything to diminish the appeal of this pickup. The sheetmetal is
all Henry Ford steel that hasn't been modified, shaved, or cut up
in any way, so it still wears its original barrel-shaped grille and
classic good looks that have remained popular for decades. Nothing
has been chopped either, so it has an old-fashioned look that's
quite appealing, and with the natural lines on the body, it looks
like it should cost far more than it does. During the comprehensive
restoration the electrical system was upgraded to include blinkers
and dual taillights, and the headlights are newer units that shine
bright, so you'll never have to worry about getting this truck home
before the sun goes down on the horizon. The bed floor is wood, and
even though it's incredibly durable, it's so nice you'll think
twice before tossing any old gear back there. Bright chrome,
including the bumpers and grille, as well as painted Ford V8
details on the tailgate and Ford badges on the hood sides, make
this truck really sparkle against the beige paint.
Pickup trucks in 1939 were a far cry from today's leather-lined
luxury machines, offering the bare essentials for doing their jobs.
This Ford has durable materials and no-nonsense styling inside,
starting with the wide bench seat wrapped in comfortable upholstery
with a grain that looks pretty authentic. Heavy-duty black carpets
mean class the cabin up a bit and provide good insulation and the
round rubber pedals have a stylish look despite being
business-only. The original round gauges were sent off to a
professional to be restored before they were reinstalled, and they
cover all the engine's vitals and have a wonderful art-deco look
that shows stylists still cared about making them beautiful, even
though they were in a truck. The long-travel 3-speed manual floor
shifter shifts smoothly once you get acclimated, but you'll master
it easily enough, and the big hard rubber steering wheel gives you
a lot of leverage on the unassisted steering to make handling feel
agile around town. A cowl vent and a crank-open windshield provide
the air-conditioning, and while there's no radio, the smooth sound
of the Flathead V8 should be music to your ears when it's cruising
down an old country road.
The real joy of a '30s Ford of any kind is under the hood. Ford's
337 Flathead V8 is a joy to drive, torquey, energetic, and with a
distinctive engine note, it's no surprise that they've been a
favorite for eighty years. Everything points to this being the
truck's original engine, and it was fully attended to during the
restoration, right down to the 6-volt electrical system and classic
Ford Green paint on the block. An original 2-barrel carburetor
feeds the hungry block, while a newer exhaust system likely adds a
few horsepower and delivers a great soundtrack. The suspension is
still stock, with leaf springs and solid axles all around, and
Henry Ford finally agreed to use hydraulic brakes in 1939, so
stopping power is decent. Fat 215/70/16 blackwall radials are
wrapped on black "spider" artillery wheels with beige trim rings
and restored hub caps to complete the flashy old pickup.
This little Ford pickup is a great opportunity to own a slice of
Americana and have some fun with a V8-powered pre-war vehicle. Call
today!