For Sale: 1937 Ford Model 78 in Morgantown, Pennsylvania

1937 Ford Model 78 Pickup

"Now you can get the right engine for your work. Where high speeds and brute strength are essential, there is a big, husky 85hp Ford V8 engine that will handle any tough job at low cost. It is engineered and built to withstand real punishment. But if you deliver light loads, if you make frequent stops and starts, if you want good performance with maximum economy, by all means see the new Ford trucks and Commercial cars, equipped with the new 60hp V8 engine. These modern hauling units are now on display at our showrooms." From a 1937 print ad.

For consignment, a 1937 Ford Model 78 pickup showing 52,692 miles, but the true miles are unknown. This steel bodied beauty has a flathead V8, lots of new suspension parts, and some new brake components too.

Exterior
She's a stunner in Washington Blue paint over the body and contrasting black fenders and running boards below. Let's take note of the symmetrical front end with matching side mirrors, a pair of horns over a pair of marker lights, and of course, the headlights, here housed in black buckets. In profile, those sweeping fenders arch over 16-inch artillery steel wheels in black with Coker white wall tires, proper hubcaps and beauty rings, with a fifth mounted on the side. The embossed Ford V8 on the tailgate practically lights up with white paint and it's underscored by a bright, chrome bumper. Above the tall grille, you won't find an ornament but there is a trim piece that reads "85" in a rare and early expression of a vehicle's horsepower rating, and this appears over the louvers of the engine covers as well. The wooden bed is covered with a rubber mat and black side walls. Imperfections include several touched up rough spots occasionally over surface rust, some pockmarked filler, cracking paint, and some touched up chips and scratches.

Interior
Simple and flat black grain vinyl door panels coat the inner doors with nice attention to detail in the fastener covers. The vinyl provides a bit of a loose fit on the bench up front but presents in clean condition over a flat floor with ribbed rubber mat. An authentic steering wheel wears an aftermarket vinyl cover and frames the simple instrument cluster with ivory colored gauges that includes a miniature mercury thermometer for temperature. Also onboard is an added vacuum gauge on the steering column and a more modern temp gauge under the dash. Black paint across the dash is in nice condition, not overly glossy, and present with a more satin finish, as does the rough surface of the ceiling where a newer rear view mirror includes a clock.

Drivetrain
Clean enough for show and go is the 221ci flathead V8, fueled by a 2-barrel carburetor and rated, as you now know, at 85 horsepower. A 3-speed manual, rowed with the floor shifter, sends power to the rear axle and 3.78 gears.

Undercarriage
The drum brakes all around are newer and have a newer master cylinder and brake lines. A single exhaust runs through the X-frame and a stock style muffler before finding its way to the back of the truck. Up front, a newer transverse leaf spring is accompanied by newer tube shocks, kingpins, tie rods, drag link, and steering box. In back, a transverse leaf spring serves as the main suspension components. All's clean underneath with the wood bed showing nicely and only minimal surface rust and residual oil about.

Drive-Ability
We set off onto the test loop with the flathead humming away and delivering every part of 85 horsepower, which for 1937, was more than enough. The truck handles and absorbs road imperfections well and tracks straight. We note it pops out of second gear during deceleration, but once back in, third comes on with no problem. We also note the wipers are not working but all other functions onboard work as they should and we truck it back to the mall. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.

You probably don't recognize this television star, but the truck you see here made a brief appearance in a Steak and Shake commercial in 2017. Steak and Shake is a popular restaurant chain in the midwest that was established in 1934, so this truck was cast to portray that period in the company's history. That's just a bonus tidbit this very nice truck, a fantastic show piece that might have future TV and film aspirations. Are you ready to be a talent agent for this blue star?