Old pickups are always a popular classic simply because they offer potential owners so many different options. That is certainly the case with this 1953 Ford F-250. The most important thing about this one is that it is so solid. It could easily be driven and enjoyed as it currently stands, although there are other possibilities that are worth consideration. The F-250 is located in Correctionville, Iowa, and listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding on this old beauty has reached a mere $3,000, and I’m not at all surprised that the reserve hasn’t been met.
As I said, this old Ford is one solid pickup. The owner provides a number of photos of the vehicle’s underside, and while there is certainly plenty of surface corrosion present, there is no actual rust. The commonly affected areas such as the floors and the cab corners look solid, as do the fenders. Another surprise is just how straight the vehicle is. It’s pretty normal for these old things to wear their share of dings and dents, but this one is free of any significant damage. The Seafoam Green paint has worn through in a lot of places, but this is where those options for the next owner begin to develop. Undertaking a full restoration would seem to be a fairly straightforward task, and the reward at the end should be a really eye-catching vehicle. Leaving it essentially as it is and applying a coat of satin clear would preserve that “weathered” look quite nicely. Of course, it could also serve as a solid base for a rat rod or custom project. Decisions, decisions.
The originality of the F-250 continues when we take a peek under the hood. What we find is the 101hp version of Ford’s 215ci 6-cylinder engine, which is backed by a 4-speed manual transmission. Before the current owner took possession of the pickup, it had spent a number of years stored away in a barn. He dragged it out and went to work bringing it back to life. To this end, he proceeded to replace the fuel tank and sender unit, and then proceeded to replace the plugs, plug wires, points, condenser, the belts, the thermostat, the brake lines, master cylinder, and rebuilt the water pump. The Ford kicked back into life, and it now runs, drives steers, and stops the way that it should. He also replaced the ignition switch, door latches, along with the tailgate hinges and latch. It would appear that the vehicle is now well and truly roadworthy, and ready for the new owner to enjoy immediately.
The interior of the F-250 is also a pleasant surprise. It is complete and serviceable as it currently stands. The owner has fitted a new rubber mat and a new cover on the original seat, and it now oozes character. Once again, where the interior goes from here will be a choice for the new owner to make. For me, I’d probably leave it pretty much as it is, at least in the short-term. The interior even looks like it scores a heater, and given how new the hoses look, there’s a good chance that this is functional. If the next owner lives in a colder climate, then that really has to be good news.
Classic pickups are insidious beasts because even for those who aren’t initially attracted to them, they have the ability to get under your skin and become a really desirable classic. That has been the case for me because it wasn’t that many years ago that my attitude was that I could take them or leave them. Now, I really like them, but ones like this would leave me torn as to what path I would follow if I owned it. What about you?
Well, “enjoy immediately” is a relative statement. Another great find, priced right, a great start, but to leave it as is, will limit your travel, if that’s an issue. Judging by the underside photos, and nearby rusted battery box, I’d check those front cab mounts, the 1st thing to go on these. They can be replaced, but a big job. If it was mine, I’d swap a different rear axle, and keep the 6, but,,,this is 2020, and like the other one, a snowballs chance in Hades of remaining original. The allure of a resto-mod with these is just too great.
I like this one! Actually this body style looked better proportioned with the longer bed. The shortboxes gave the appearance that they would flip over forward if you slammed on the brakes. Check the cab mounts as Howard just said, then sand this down and PAINT it!!!! No surface rust that has been carefully massaged into the P-word. I don’t know if it’s an out west thing but six cylinders in the Chinook Belt are about as common as a truly honest and dedicated politician; they just don’t exist. A truck like this would give you that ever familiar flathead V8 bark. I would keep the six; it would make good conversation every time the hood was opened…
This looks like a pretty solid pickup, a good start for whichever path you would choose to go with it. I’d definitely paint it inside and out as I’ve spent my whole life battling rust so I certainly wouldn’t want to be surrounded by it. If I had the funds and talent (both severely lacking), I’d swap in a small block V8 as well as a suitable rear end along with upgrading the braking system. The original driveline is, at best, quaint but unsuitable for todays roads. As Howard A and geomechs pointed out, I’d address the cab and bed mounts and maybe source a rear bumper and I’d have a nice vintage ride when all is said and done.
Had a ’54 3/4 ton when I was younger and
it was a great old truck. As with this truck, mime was a 6 cylinder 4-speed with
granny low and a PTO that raised and lowered the pickup box and rear fenders.
There was also a small chute made into the tailgate so that sand, coal, or gravel
could be unloaded with ease. We put it
to good use when we poured new gravel
in our driveway back in ’68. We also used
it to tow floats in the homecoming parades at my high school up to 1970 when I sold it to help me buy my parents
’66 Cadillac Calais 4-door HT to keep my
drunken uncle from smashing it to smitherenes. Sure wish I had it now.
I bought a 51 3/4 ton in perhaps 1963 from the original owner for $500. It has always been garaged and was in nearly A one condition. I wish that I had never sold it, but we all do stupid things.
To me the temptation would be to leave the exterior along but fully restore the interior
LS swap it!!!!! 😂😂😂😂 Sorry, couldn’t help myself. I’d either leave it alone or put a driver quality type paint job in the original color. Single stage urethane not base/clear coat. Ok, the only update (sort of) I might do is if the original 6 in it took a crap I probably would put a 300 6 in at that point but only if the original engine bit the dust.
Hey this baby is ready to go to work! Put some replacement 2″ hard-wood planks in the back and git after it! That O.G. paint is fine, or a bucket o’ Rust-O-Leum would do the trick. This truck was never a glamour queen & never should be!