Custom builds don’t necessarily need to wear vibrant colors and big wheels to stand out, and this 1935 Ford 1½ Ton Truck proves that. The owner has taken 25-years to transform this beauty from its former life as a dump truck into the Art Deco creation that we see today. Since the build was completed, this beauty has only managed to accrue 2½ miles on its odometer. However, the owner has decided that the time has come for the Ford to head off to a new home, so he has listed it for sale here on eBay. It is located in Fort Collins, Colorado, and while the bidding has reached $15,200, the reserve isn’t met. For those who want to avoid the auction scene, there is a BIN option at $28,500. I have to say a big thank you to our eagle-eyed Barn Finder Larry D for spotting this classic for us.
It’s tough to know where to start with a custom build like this because there is so much to take in. The Brewster Medium Green Ford started its life as a dump truck, but the owner started the build in around 1975. This was a frame-off process, and once the frame and cab had been restored, he created the Art Deco custom bed. This was no 5-minute job because the build eventually consumed 25-years. The bed is framed from steel tubing, with steel on the outside and a timber inner. The rear fenders and skirts began their life on a 1939 Cadillac. The quality of the finish is impressive. It would have been easy for those massive flat bedsides to be rippled, but they are as flat as a pancake. The paint shines beautifully, while the glass and chrome appear to be perfect.
The timber bed is another highlight of this build, and it looks too nice to actually use. It looks like the timber has been sealed with a polyurethane finish, so it should be pretty tough. The bed’s size is enormous, with the owner stating that you could fit a couple of Harleys on there if you wanted to. I probably wouldn’t do that because it would be a tragedy to damage that finish.
During the build, the Truck’s frame was fully restored, and it remains spotless. There is not a spot of corrosion to be seen anywhere, and the condition makes the owner’s claim that the vehicle has covered 2½ miles seem quite conceivable. This photo also shows that there are no fluid leaks from this Ford’s drivetrain.
Speaking of the drivetrain, what we find under the hood is a 221ci flathead V8. This has been treated to a rebuild, with a 0.040 over-bore and insert bearings. It isn’t clear what sort of power it produces, but it should be enough to have this old classic trundling along quite nicely. Bolted to the back of the flathead is a 4-speed T9 truck transmission, which sends the power to the rear wheels. One of the advantages of the T9 is that it has the facility for a Power Take Off. When the Truck was serving as a tipper, it was fitted with a PTO. This has been rebuilt, and while it isn’t installed, the owner includes this in the sale. The build was completed in 2000, and even though the Ford has had limited use, it is in sound mechanical health. This classic is ready for the road, and the owner even entertains the possibility of test drives for interested parties.
The interior is as neat as you are ever likely to find, with every piece of upholstery receiving a retrim during construction. As you might expect given the mileage, it presents perfectly in tan vinyl. My only criticism is the mat doesn’t fit as nicely as I would’ve hoped. However, this should be easy to fix and will at least give the buyer something to do apart from washing and polishing the exterior! There are a couple of aftermarket gauges under the dash to monitor the health of that fantastic flathead V8. Otherwise, the interior remains unmolested.
I’m not going to try to convince you that this 1935 Ford 1½ Ton Truck would make a practical daily driver because it obviously wouldn’t. However, if you are looking for a classic for a spot of weekend cruising, for shows, or to take to a Cars & Coffee, this could be just the vehicle. It would attract attention wherever it went, and it would almost certainly attract gathering crowds the moment that it stopped. Owning a highly desirable and meticulously restored classic is a great thing, but sometimes a cool custom can be just as good. That is what is on offer here, and I’d love to think that someone will grab this and add to the 2½ mile total soon. Vehicles like this shouldn’t be left to languish in sheds. With so much work having been performed, they deserve to be seen and appreciated by the public.
Well, it certainly is impressive. Probably the test drive was 1.25 miles, they couldn’t stop it with the mechanical brakes, and came 1.25 miles back. Actually, mechanical brakes are in some cases safer than hydraulic. Henry was the last to give in to hydraulic brakes, 1937, I think. It’s a nice job, kind of limited to parade use only, I’d have to think a dump truck or flatbed would be more useful, not that you’d want your 5 figures classic hauling horse crap. Be great for a business.
A lot of love and time in this classy classic.
Just for curiosity’s sake, if this predated hydraulic brakes, would that mean the dump bed was pre-hydraulic as well? If so how was it raised and lowered? And with that, did the owner retain the system or is the bed now affixed to the frame?
Very pretty truck..as you said, Howard, a good one for advertising an older company business!
Actually, Nev, that’s a good question. I have to bring out the big guns here( geomechs) but I believe hydraulics were used by the 30’s, just not for brakes on Fords. Early dump hoists were a cable actuated deal, like early dozer lifts and I’ve seen a rack and pinion type also, and for the “Jethro” types, there were hand cranked dumps.
http://www.2040-cars.com/ford/model-a/1930-ford-model-aa-hand-crank-dump-flat-bed-runs-drives-parade-ready–499260/
It’s amazing engineering/comprehension of physics to design a device that would enable a driver to lift tons of dirt or whatever with a hand-cranked wheel.
Geomechs, are you out there?
A tip of the hat in appreciation to all the BF readers with their insight of hydraulics. I had no idea-Thank you!
Fruehauf built the first commercial available hydraulic dump system just after WW1 in the 1920. It is the same basic system still used today. The hydraulic ram would fit to the front of the box the box would be hinged at the back.
A really impressive build, the Art Deco Look is very cool. Even though it isn’t original Ford who’s to say a similar modification when the truck was new. PS Howard you need to check your date on Ford hydraulic Brakes, it wasn’t, 1937. Most sources say 1940 , some claim 1939.78
Very interesting truck and someone put a tremendous amount of time and money into this build! Granted it’s a very limited use vehicle but it’s a fantastic build I wish the owner great luck in getting his price!!
Very well done. However, IMO the bed is completely useless for the amount of work that went into it.
Bentley/Rolls Royce stuck with full mechanical brakes until 1946 at which time they used hydraulic on the front only, mechanical rear brakes driven by the transmission brakeservo. From 1955 – 1965 Rolls not only had hydraulic brakes front and rear, but still had brakeservo driven mechanical brakes to the rear as well as hydraulic.
It would be great for parades!
It would be great for parades!Hey! You could do both!
Load it up with a band or pull a float.
I would examine this truck very carefully. Why would anyone spend mega bucks and mega time on a build and then drive it only 2 1/2 miles? There may be a big problem and that’s why the owner is bailing.
MikeH,
I’ve known plenty of guys who do incredible restorations, and as soon as the work is done, they begin to look around for the next project. For some guys, it’s all about achieving the goal of finishing the vehicle, then boredom sets in, hence it goes for sale.
Ford put hydraulic brakes in trucks in 1939 and in cars in 1940.
Ford cars of 1939 all had hydraulic brakes.
To see some wonderful art deco truck bodies, find a copy of the Tad Burness American Truck Spotters Guide, especially in the GMC and Diamond T sections. I always dreamed of having one with a body like that, even though I would have no practical use for one. They are beautiful though.
Ford put hydraulic brakes in trucks in 1939 and in cars in 1940.
I personally feel the truck was spoiled when it had that customized body built on it. It now is of no historical value.
A real labor of love. If you had to figure the Owner’s return on investment, I would hazard a guess that he’ll make about 35 cents an hour for his time commitment to this beauty.
Very nice truck. I’m wondering if this T9 transmission predated synchronizers. I drove some pre 1949 trucks that did not have them as a kid. That’s when I learned about double clutching or shifting without a clutch using a sensitive foot on the accelerator. 😊
This is a lovely truck, nicely done. Only one slight negative comment; but to me the rear fenders look like they are pointed downwards in the back. Maybe it’s just the angle of the photo, what do you all think?