1950 Ford F-1

Description

Don't be misled by the modern rolling stock, as this attractive 1950 Ford F-1 pickup has the heart and soul of an original vintage pickup. Still flathead powered, it's got that charming way of doing its thing that makes the flathead V8 and old trucks a great part of the old car hobby.

Ford's F-1 pickups have been perennial best-sellers, even before they were known as the F150. One glance at this great-looking little pickup is all the reason you need for its success and the early post-war examples are the epitome of "old truck" fun. But this isn't some beat up old farm hand; no, it's got a lot of new components, including fiberglass front fenders and running boards, plus a bed that looks extremely fresh, all adding up to a quality little truck that has a great deal of charm. The green paint is a variation of the hunter green that almost every old pickup wore at some point in its life, but there's a bit of metallic in the finish that really lights it up. Factory trim, including the wonderful hood vents and nostrils, means it has an authentic old timey look and the wood stake sides on the bed, complete with Texaco markings, gives it an ideal 1950s flair. The light-colored wood bed, which appears to be maple, is a nice contrast to both the dark green paint and the usual honey-colored oak, giving this Ford another way to stand out in a crowd.

Simple is good inside, where you'll find a freshened bench seat with a tan vinyl seat cover that's a nice contrast to the green paint. Aside from some aftermarket turn signals and a black leather wrapper on the steering wheel, it's quite authentic, although carpeted floor mats might have been a desirable upgrade back in the 1950s. The original gauges offer a pretty good summary of what the flathead V8 is doing up front and the dials themselves are unquestionably original, which is always welcome in a truck like this. The tan plastic in the center stack is remarkably well preserved (it may be reproduction) and that's where the optional AM radio might have lived, had this truck been so equipped. If you live someplace where it gets cool in the fall, then the under-dash heater will be a welcome addition, but beyond that it's no-frills fun all the way.

You simply can't go wrong with a venerable Ford flathead V8. This is the most common 239 cubic inch version, which offers great performance and one of the best exhaust notes ever created. It's really nice done under the hood, with bright Ford Red paint on the engine itself, a recent carburetor, and even the original 6-volt generator making the electricity. The fuel system has been recently overhauled, including a fresh fuel tank and a new fuel pump, in addition to the aforementioned carburetor, so it runs well and doesn't seem to have "flathead fever" in the heat. Using a single exhaust pipe, it has a great V8 sound that's exactly right on a vintage pickup and despite its modest specifications, the truck feels quick and agile around town and doesn't mind cruising at 50 MPH. The 3-speed manual transmission shifts easily and doesn't get grumpy and the rear end looks to be out of a late-model, so it's undoubtedly got some highway-friendly gears inside. The wheels are late-model F150 pieces painted to match and carry 225/70/15 radials that look appropriate on the old truck.

Flathead Fords have been popular for decades for very good reasons, and this truck delivers a motoring experience that's fun without the hard work. Call today!