Vehicle Description
1938 Ford 1/2 Ton Pickup
Henry Ford changed the world with the Model T in 1908, and more
importantly, the manufacturing process used to churn out
inexpensive cars to put America on four wheels. The Model T truck
arrived in 1917, using the same engine and front passenger area but
with a stronger frame that could support a 1-ton payload and any
number of coach-built pick-bed configurations. It sold well enough
at $600 a piece until Ford decided it should manufacture the truck
complete with a pickup-bed itself, and the first factory-assembled
Ford pickup trucks emerged in 1925. By 1928 Ford had built and sold
over one million Model T trucks and then built the Model AA and BB
trucks with similar success.
For consignment, a story: This model now for consignment started
out being purchased in 1938 for a Quakertown, PA Ford dealer for
$580.00. It stayed in the original owner's possession for 67 years
and barely ever ventured more than 40 miles from where it was
initially purchased. It went through a phase after the first
owner's 67 years, and at one point was painted to look like a John
Deere Tractor with green paint and yellow striping. Reaching the
3rd owner who was bringing the truck home when the engine gave up.
So, his restoration began but was cut short due to health problems
and having to move south. Now it landed into the hands of our
consignor who brought the truck home virtually in pieces, using the
justification for the current COVID crisis as needing something to
do. A year later and countless hours spent researching the truck
came together. Since the consignor likes the thrill of the build,
he's now moving on to his next project so this one is available.
And now you have the rest of the story! Good Day.
Exterior
Fieldstone Gray with Ford Black fenders and running boards make up
the rust free and dent free steel of this truck. It is not a high
gloss finish for a reason that being the builder/consignor wanted
to use the original bumpers and grille, and if the paint was too
shiny it would not have looked correct. Speaking of which the oval
grille is just beautiful as is the corresponding simple curved
bumper below and snazzy art deco styled hood ornament above. The
bed sides are beautifully restored and roll over at the top so you
don't scratch yourself when leaning over the side of the bed.
Wonderfully curved back end heavy in design fenders in Ford black
are framing each wheel. A Rhino lined running board connects the
artfully designed fenders which prevents slippage when it's wet
(capital idea!). The stainless-steel chain for the tailgate is
wrapped in poly to protect the paint from getting scratched off and
has a new hinge on its bottom. The bed is lined with "pickled
stain" oak to ease the transition from the bed to the exterior
paint. A spare tire was mounted in the bed for the builder's wife
to have easier access to her side. All original glass with new
weatherstripping and trimmings are seen, black side view long
stalked mirrors are on and black wall Lester tires sport shiny trim
rings and a Fieldstone Gray larger wheel covering with a shiny
chromed V8 badged moon cap I'm the center. Beautifully done.
Interior
Not to be outdone by the exterior, the doors start out with
Fieldstone painted metal surrounds and then a gray stitched edge
vinyl panel is in the center. This has the shiny actuators and
cranks within this field. Moving inside a simple utilitarian gray
vinyl bench stretches from door to door and is in excellent
condition like new. Rubber now covers the floors and above in front
is a Fieldstone Gray painted dash now with vintage looking Dolphin
gauges in circular form. The rest of the dash is simple with the
ignition, a few pulls and a chrome banded ashtray and metal glove
box. The original black steering wheel reaches for the driver and
the big bakelite wheel is topping this column. Very tight gray
broadcloth covers the vertical interior surfaces and the headliner.
Awesome job!
Drivetrain
After coming home on the hook for the 3rd owner it was decided to
replace the worn 85hp engine with a newer 1953 Ford 8BA flathead
motor. A total rebuild ensued boring the cylinders, adding in
larger pistons, new bearings, adjustable valves and Isky cam,
Offenhauser heads and intake manifold and new dual Holley 1-barrel
carbs. A Mallory coil and distributor were added on, and a set of
Red's headers. A new Holley fuel pump was put in and suddenly 85hp
jumped to 125hp! All this to the tune of nearly $7K just for the
drive line. Now that's quality! A 3-speed manual transmission sends
that newly found power back to a 3.78 geared rear axle
assembly.
Undercarriage
Because it was in parts it is frame off and the underside looks
like it. Nary even a drip is seen on the black framing, suspension,
floor pans and body hangers. A fiberglass fuel tank replaced the
rusted old original, and mechanical drum braking took on some
"juicing" with updated hydraulic brakes. Tube shocks replace the
old lever shocks. Virtually every nut and bolt was replaced with
stainless hardware, and the electrics were made to be 12V.
Attention to detail x 10!
Drive-Ability
Of course you'd expect a truck that looks this good would drive
equally as nice, and Viola! it does. Quick starting, good
acceleration, good braking, and a cushy new ride were experienced
by myself as I took a few laps around the test track. A very
enjoyable drive and I looked great doing it (we have it on
video!).
A nice backstory for this classic blue oval truck, and literally
rebuilt from pieces, so meticulous attention to detail could be
paid to every aspect, yielding a virtually new truck. Good things
DO come from COVID!
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
