Today, four-wheel-drive is synonymous with the pickup truck, but it hasn’t always been so. Ford Motor Company didn’t offer a factory four-wheel-drive system on its F-Series line until 1959, two years after our featured truck was built. In the meantime, companies such as Marmon-Herrington and NAPCO, the Minnesota-based parts supplier that offered the conversion kit on this 1957 F-350, filled the void left by the factory. Originally a “brush mountain truck” for the Mt. Lodge Fire Company in New York State, this Ford has been lovingly refurbished by the current owner and is now offered here on eBay. Who doesn’t love a truck with a history?
Ford released a fresh new design for the F-Series in 1957, although it was closely related to its spectacularly successful predecessor underneath. This bodystyle would take Ford into the 1960s, and its smooth “styleside” bed helped to usher in a more modern design language. The F-350 had a nine-foot bed, a foot longer than the longest bed available for lighter-duty models, which is good, because the seller says that this truck once carried a 500-gallon tank, hoses, pumps, and ladders; in essence, it was a fire truck. Those hard-working days are behind it now; the seller did a body-off cosmetic restoration about five years ago, replacing the bed floor, repairing rust with new metal, and giving it an appropriately red paint job. Several pictures of it as-found are included in the ad.
Aside from a coat of yellow paint, the engine is untouched and “runs great,” but it could “use a distributor upgrade.” No more is mentioned about that, so it could just have some worn bushings or a worn points plate. The engine itself is a 272 cubic-inch Y-Block producing 171 horsepower; trucks were not meant for high-speed work back then, just work. Behind the 272 is a four-speed manual with Power Take-Off (better known as a PTO).
Underneath, it looks like someone entered a holiday parade, but I’ll assume that the lights don’t come with the truck. The four-wheel-drive conversion involved a new front axle and a divorced transfer case.
Aside from some modern gauges and a reupholstered bench (with a small, repairable burn hole, unfortunately), the current owner has left the interior largely untouched, including some evidence of its colorful past, but the original gauges will be included with the truck in the event that the new owner would prefer the original look. In summary, you’ll be driving like it’s 1957 if you buy this truck, and I imagine that it’s a hoot muscling this thing around town.
The current bid is $10,100, which clearly hasn’t met the reserve. The truck’s history is an obvious selling point, as is its relatively uncommon four-wheel-drive conversion. It is not the kind of truck that will usher you in comfort to the local car meet, and that may be an element in holding back a few bids, but if you’re looking for a well-restored Ford with a couple stories to tell, look no further.
Amazing renovation! Much like the Dodge M37 the other day, this wouldn’t be comfortable on anything more than a 2 lane, but it’d be a hoot for short trips under 45-50 MPH and a good conversation piece when it’s not being used as a work truck.
And little to no conversation while on the road, most likely, if it is anything like some of the old 4×4 trucks that I have owned. “What? Huh?”.
Hmm, I always thought NAPCO was for GM, and M-H was for Ford. Someone did an outstanding job here, despite the fact they may not get their investment back. It’s still going to be a beast to drive. I don’t care for the gauges, and I hope the “bidders” know what they are bidding on. How different could it possibly be from our new F-150?
Nice truck with a purpose, might be a tough drive but not meant for the urban dude buying the drag strip ready, high rise, over powered, thin skinned dent prone models being offered today. This one was meant for doing a real job, I like it.
Sweet old truck all dressed up. It needs some scratches or what is referred to as off-road pin stripes.
I’m curious why NAPCO and not Marmon-Herrington did the conversion
Jay, I was thinking the same thing
I read both NAPCO and M-H sold kits to dealers for installation. I suppose it was a cost deal. 4x4s had a very slim market in the 50s. It was short lived, as 4x4s became more popular, companies offering their own was a lot cheaper.
With 19.5” wheels, moving to a taller tire will increase your top speed a bit, or at least that was my experience on my W-300. I fitted 9R19.5 Goodyear “pizza cutter” tires and gained about 5-7 mph without straining the engine.
My first pickup was this same truck but was a former wrecker for the USPS with the winch removed. Complete with the 19.5 tires that I couldn’t afford to buy new but luckily my brother worked at a tire recapping company and he hooked me up. After unsuccessfully trying 3 different Y block engines, which all blew up due to the idiotic oiling system Ford used, I sourced a Buick 322 nailhead and automatic transmission and set that in place. What a fun driver! Repainted it in a barn using a special color created by all the blue and green partially used cans of paint we found at a body shop. The exhaust system was personally created using bits and pieces of pipes taken off of other vehicles and “silenced” with dual glass packs. It had a distinctive rumble when letting off the gas which earned it the nickname “The Rapper”. Lots of great memories with seeing these pictures! Thank you!
So how did my comment get erased from this article?
Of this style, I’ll always think that Ford got it right the first time, and tapered off after that. Then come ‘61 and Ford really shot itself in the foot. Truthfully, I never liked the rounded corners of the 60s. Ford redeemed itself in ‘67 and made me a believer again.
This looks rather top heavy but in a straight line it could go anywhere. A one-ton is almost indestructible but it will shorten your back…