Disclosure: This site may receive compensation from some link clicks and purchases.
This old hotrod pickup listed on eBay hasn’t run since 1968. It lived in a barn until about 15 years ago when it was put out to pasture, or weeds actually. It’s complete but not at all original. That’s a Plymouth bumper and there’s a Thunderbird engine under the hood for example. This must have been a fun truck.
Here’s the Ford V8, said to be a 312 CID out of a Thunderbird. That would make it put it around 1957 and a “Y block”. I don’t know how they determined it is from a Thunderbird, but it does look like it could be a Y block, doesn’t it?
There are some interesting possibilities for this old truck. What would you do with it? Bidding is over $3,000 with reserve unmet. What do you think someone might be willing to pay for this old pickup?
Sadly, pretty fried. I think that’s a 2 speed rear axle, I bet, at one time, this was a fun little truck. Apparently, all the “covered” BF’s have been taken, and we’ve moved outside now. ( all that’s left?) Gonna take a lot with this, but try and find another.
Hard to say without in person inspection. Looking at the pictures on eBay, it appears to be mostly surface rust on the body and frame. The floors however are shot completely as is the wiring. It would definitely be fun to play with.
15 years ago the barn find craze might not have been at its peak, but it was a thing for sure. And someone decided to put this out in the weather? I don’t understand some people…
In certain years, the 312 was referred to as the “Thunderbird” V-8, regardless of where it was installed.
Thanks, CC! That’s led to a lot of confusion. In 1957, some of 292’s were called “Thunderbird V-8” and the performance 312 was called “Thunderbird Special” when installed in Fairlanes, for example.
That exhaust manifold is not off a Thunderbird, and Birds had finned aluminum valve covers which this one does not. If a 312 is important, this may not be one. Do your homework. It is not a Columbia rear end; they appear very different. If it were, they generally go for around $2000 these days.
Jeff, we’re here to learn, at least I am. If you know something we don’t, just tell us. I never liked homework anyway. What I thought was a 2 speed ( last pic) is actually, a “Speed Gems” adapter plate.
Yup, But the “Thunderbird” engine option that did not come in an actual Thunderbird car, didn’t have those very cool finned valve covers. Here’s a 292. The 312 came out in ’56. The old truck’s engine at least appears to have a stock 4 barrel intake. Perhaps that exhaust manifold was used because of clearance issues with that steering column. :-) Terry J
Sorry but not all birds had finned allum valve covers- I’ve owned 55/56 n 57s-,right the ex/man isn’t a birds-
It is a Y block. Note the blocked off exhaust manifold where the distinctive front crossover pipe was. Had a 312 Thunderbird engine in my ’55 Crown Victoria in 1966, but it did not have a crossover pipe – dual exhausts. THUNDERBIRD does not indicate that it came out of a T Bird, but was a “H.P.” engine option with the 292/312 Y block and was available in the Ford car line. :-) Terry J
That’s actually a ’36. At least the hood says so. The Ford ovals are in the front, instead of the center of the hood sides, as per a typical ’35. I’ll agree to it being a Y-block, which is a good swap for a hot rod; sure is better than an SBC. Myself I’d want to give it a full evaluation before I decided what to do with it. I admit that these make super fine street rods. I’ve always envisioned a ’36 pickup, running on a custom chassis, powered with a warmed-over Mercury flathead. Since I’m old and demented, I’d use a C-4 automatic. The guys at the car club wouldn’t be too happy but then I’d show it alongside the totally stock ’35. I might add that I would feel guilty since someone already started on this one….
You must be my long lost brother, a twin at that!
looks “y” to me but what do I know. It is what it is,someone could have a lot of fun with it. keep it on the road.
49 Plymouth bumper is a nice touch
I think the truck itself (without engine) is at least a $4500 to $5000 value. To me the best body styles for pre-WW2 pickups of most any brand is the 1936, but with Ford and Dodge the rounded cabs on the ’35s make them handsome too. Being that it is a Ford with parts easily found, and a well-desired brand, I would think it could go for an even higher price.
I would think there is a larger market of buyers for the Ford as opposed to a Plymouth or GMC (Brands I personally prefer), and thus the eventual asking/selling price of a “semi-finished to finished” Ford product could be higher. I personally don’t care for Fords because of their lack of rarity but, again, this body style is what has my interest. Believe it or not, I think it just looks stylishly handsome in how it sits now :-) A nice, roadworthy 36 Chevy Pickup will always be my favorite though, especially yellow trimmed in black. The one pictured above isn’t mine (I have a ’37 Chev family heirloom), but I wish it were.
Neat! A Ford in a Ford…. can’t beat that. Don’t knock the early transplants too hard. A lot of strange stuff was built in the ’60s using ’30s iron. My odd one was a ’49 Nash overhead six in a ’41 Willys coupe. Ran like stink!
I’ve always liked the idea that if you build a custom, you put a ford engine in a Ford, chev in a chev and so on. There was a time when this was a very cool build and it can be again. Even though this is a custom it also has a history and at this point it would be a shame to separate this engine from this truck, I’d be inclined to treat it as a restoration using existing equipment at least as much as possible. The one thing I will say is this is going to need a lot of lovin and some multi skilled hands to bring it back. I’m think a frame off every nut and bolt apart which won’t be as complicated on a truck like this. What an interesting project this would be I sure hope someone wants to take it on.
Ford gave you many engine options from 55′ to 57′–272, 292(“Thunderbird” decal on valve covers in cars, tks) 312 (“Thunderbird Special” on valve covers in cars, tks, AND finned valve covers in the Baby Birds/55′, 56′,57′. Baby Birds w/auto. transmissions came with the 312, manual transmission models came w/whatever you ordered-292 or 312. 292’s were 2-barrel, 312’s 4-barrel, and all the above stuff was interchangeable, so what’s under the hood doesn’t mean much-you have to go by the part #’s if you really need to know.
I had a 1956 2 DR Hard top Victoria with a Thunderbird 312 4 barrel. On the valve cover was a Thunderbird decal (not finned) and seems to me also a badge on the lower front of the front fender. The truck would be a nice project!
Aspirin sized dot cast into the crank where the flywheel mounts identifies as a 312. Also the casting number on the main bearing caps is unique to a 312. Virtually no other way to identify as a 312 other than measuring the bore.
My first car (that actually ran) was a 1954 Ford 2 door, the first Y block, 239 cu in , 3 on the tree. Junior in High School 1964. Oddly enough, the last Ford Flathead V8 was in 1953 and was also 239 cu in. :-) Terry J
FYI…..when you put a Yblock in an early Ford you use the cross over because the factory duel dumps on top of the steering box….and if you drop a Chevy in one you use the 55/56 exhaust on the left to miss the box….nice old find….
Y block or not .Being that its been outside for the last 15 years its probably a B M block, B M meaning boat mooring. Yank it and you guys can make a coffe table out of it. This old HOT ROD has good bones .I’d Update the entire truck ,If you want to put a modern ford engine in it have at it .If you want to wrench a Hemi into it, go for it. Its a Hot Rod ,and thats a licence to do whatever you want .
Right on, Ck.