Ford has long been in the commercial truck business and this 1959 F-850 is no exception. It was built to assist firemen in the course of their regular duties. According to the seller, it has been cosmetically restored though not currently running. Once road worthy again, perhaps it could serve a small community that doesn’t have the budget for more modern equipment. Or it could be a “man cave” accessory for the guy who has everything else. A tip brought to us by Rocco B., the Ford is in Madison, Wisconsin, and the vintage fire eradication artifact is available here on craigslist for $6,000 OBO,
The F-850 was a Class-8 truck that Ford produced for two decades beginning in the late 1950s. It could come with either tandem or single axles depending on what the work requirements would be. The markings on the doors of this example say “Thorpe”, which we first assumed meant it was in service to a town of that name in Wisconsin. But that community spells its name “Thorp” so if that stands for a burg of some sort, it was not in the “cheese state”.
We’re told the engine is a gasoline-powered V8, which could make it 360 cubic inches, but the lone engine photo makes it hard to determine. The transmission is a manual, which we assume is a 4-speed given the weight of a vehicle like this. The indicated mileage is 21,500 which may or may not be accurate, but trucks like this made short hops, not logging a lot of miles at one time. The seller says the engine turns by hand and has run in the past year, so perhaps getting it going again may not be a big challenge.
A cosmetic redo was taken on the truck, but we don’t know when or even to what extent. This unit was built to carry water to help put out a fire and is called a “pumper”. Everything but the motor is said to work, like the lights, sirens, bells, and so forth – so it looks ready to serve in parades and other public events once you got it going. But what else would you use it for? BTW, the seller says the title is currently “in process of delivery” by the DOT, so perhaps that’s like “the check’s in the mail.” In my book, that’s enough to wait on before funds change hands.
Well, as a fire truck, if operational, I suppose it could save the farm, but generally, they are pretty useless and take up a lot of space. Thorp is in central Wisconsin, east of Chippewa Falls, and never ceases to amaze me, these small communities just HAVE to have the most recent fire fighting equipment, at a cost that breaks most small town budgets, when this did just fine. It’s low mileage on these typically shows how little they are actually used. I know, we live in a “what if” society, and modern fire engines are superior, but really, how often do you see a fire these days? When people smoked like chimneys, fires happened all the time, now, not so much, but,,,what if?
The truck is what was called “Super Duty”, but lost the “Big Job” moniker in 1958 and ranged from F750 to F1000( I think) and was Fords entry to the heavy truck market. All gas jobs, as Ford was the last to offer a diesel in 1963. They still look awesome, and I’d remove the fire jazz, and make a rolloff or dump truck,,,something besides a fire engine.
How often do you see a fire nowadays is like asking how often do todays cars get flats? It still happens, Two weeks ago the warehouse that I work at had a fire. There were about a dozen fire trucks there to extinguish it. I’m glad they were using modern equipment. The workers are still not back yet as it has to be scrubbed from top to bottom and the 40 foot hole in the roof patched.
More oddball comments…
I was at a car show and had my M977 HEMTT there and a smaller town was there with their brand new fire truck and it was beautiful. Oh and they paid 325K for this truck. In talking to the fire chief I asked why they don’t buy used civilian or military trucks and modify them for fire duties, he said they would be sued for it because it’s not the newest best there is!
I always like reading your posts Howard.
In this case though, there are regulations, some fairly recent, that specify how old fire fighting apparatus can be. I believe that it can’t be over 30 years (I could be mistaken), no matter what operating condition it’s in. Just a few years ago, a local volunteer fire department was forced to update some of its equipment. One piece was a 1969 GMC 3/4 ton 4×4 brush truck. It was in near mint condition and perfectly functional but, it had “aged out”. The fire department sold raffle tickets for $100/each and I bought 2. Someone else ended up winning the truck and, it was replaced with a brand new Ford Super Duty at a cost of around $250K! The raffle tickets sold didn’t come within 10% of covering that price tag which shouldn’t be a surprise. Damn, I really wanted that old GMC though!
Parade duty, highly unlikely the pump is any good. Parts are cast and steel so rust is their enemy. Sitting and not used they corrode something terrible, doubt any protection of the pump was in place.
How often do you see a fire theses days you say?
A 3 bedroom 2 bath house down the block from me here in Silicon Valley, USA went up in flames 2 weeks ago, burned to the ground, even with modern fire fighting equipment.
That Howard guy says alot of questionable things…
Yes he is great to read. Hope he chimes in!
I’ve noted here before that I’ve volunteered in the restoration shop of a NY fire museum for many years and do much research on early rigs. Ford introduced their 534 c/i gas a V-8 in 1958 and this could likely have one. No good shots of the right side but probably a 750 or 1000 gpm pump. Rigs like this built on commercial chassis’ by fire apparatus builders were and still are a mainstay of small and rural departments and provide a large saving over custom-built rigs. The market for these is small–there are private collectors of antique fire apparatus and many departments go to great lengths to search for, re-acquire and restore one of their earlier rigs. BTW, C/L ad shows plate on front bumper says Thorpe, AZ–it’s a long way from home. How she finds a loving owner.
Howard, I usually enjoy your comments but today’s are just sad.
Too bad Jesse and Josh removed Howard’s comment, I would have been interested in other readers views.
It depends on which Howard you get. The “old truck expert” Howard or the “everything sucks on here” Howard.
Wow this looks great for the price, and not wasting away outdoors in the sun. I see he has another firetruck.
If you check the Madison area Craigslist, you can see that the other truck is also for sale.
https://madison.craigslist.org/cto/d/madison-mack-cf685f1066-fire-truck/7605048240.html
And it is even cheaper than this one!!
Old 850 good, but has no 2 spd differential and does it have the famous (534) engine? It must remain in barn
This fire engine has a 401 Cubic Inch Ford Super Duty engine. On the side of the fenders the 401 in chrome gives it away along with the year.
I would make it into a flatbed or rollback
I just love these old FORD trucks. F freakin 850 with the three holes in the front roll pan below the grill to get more air to the radiator. NASTY! I can remember our school buses pulling up to the grade school that were 59-60 F-850s with the three holes. I would stand there and stare at them. So does anyone know why it’s a 59 grill with a 60 hood? I would buy it for 6k if I had a place to park it. gosh darn it!
I also thought those lower pan round holes looked cool. Funny how a small feature like this sticks with you.
I was informed years ago, by a guy who restored big Ford trucks, that the 3 holes were there for firetrucks with a front water pump system*, as well as trucks needing a large crankshaft-driven hydraulic pump, as found on cement mixers and heavy duty hydraulic dump trucks, etc.
*Center hole was for the drive shaft, and the outer holes were for the water pump’s intake & outgo water pipes connected to the pump operator’s panel behind the cab. [See photo]
This has sure been an elusive one to comment on. Everything went and hid. Anyways, this wouldn’t likely be powered by a 360; it would be an engine from the SD line; a 401 or 477. A 534 would soon join them. Big, cumbersome, brutish. Solid lifters that Ford wanted adjusted, engine hot and Running. Any of us who worked on them gave them another .003” and adjusted them cold. Maybe a trifle more noisy but they worked fine. Worked just fine alongside International’s big V-8s…
Its a limited market for sure, but I’d check it out if someone had it at a car show ! Funny thing , Ford was always #1 for truck sales, but it seems like 1957-1962 Fords trucks just vanished. Lots of 56 and down and 63 and ups, the rest you rarely see .
Likely a 5 speed, “direct in fifth,” transmission, if I’m seeing the legend on the knob correctly. I’m not sure 4 speeds were offered in trucks this large unless the truck also had an auxiliary transmission, often called a “brownie.” I never have figured why fire trucks (including this one) often omitted the two-speed rear axle which was almost always present in trucks of this size. I know from personal experience that a two-speed equipped truck could get from point A to point B faster than the same truck with a single speed rear end especially in hilly country, and fire service benefitted from quick response time so why no 2 speed?? Cost?Driver training? Dunno!
Yup, quite likely a 5-speed but typically 5th would be an overdrive with direct in 4th. Direct drive is always the “pump gear”–with road tranny in neutral, set hand or air brake, engage pump transmission, shift road tranny into direct, open hand throttle, ready to pump water.
Good point on 2-speed axles, they and auxiliaries such as “Brownies” are somewhat rare in the fire service, especially in volunteer departments where drivers are usually not professionals in their day jobs, so possibly a reason for their absence. All automatics now.
I once worked with a guy who had quite a sense of humor. He wanted to buy an old fire truck and paint “Same Day Service” on the doors.
Very cool truck! Seems silly to not get it running before offering it for sale. My Dad had a ‘59 F850, also called “T850” because of tandem wheels. It was a dump truck. It was titled as a ‘60- but had a ‘59 hood and Grill. Being equipped with a 330 V8 it was a brute to drive. Constantly rowing gears between the 5 speed main and 3 speed Brownie. FYI: 401/477/534SD engines were all introduced for the 1958 model year. 360 was not available until 1968 in small and medium trucks.
I would love to have this on the place for fire protection! Lost my shop buildings, tools, equipment; several vintage vehicles and motorcycles in a fire a few years back.
Low mileage? Real fire trucks typically have low mileage because they are only driven to fire duty or the occasional parade. Engines always have way more run time than the mileage would indicate for a regular car or pickup. Cute toy for someone who has a large building to store it.
When I lived in west Texas, I remember the town I lived in purchased something similar to this just to fight grass fires.
What a cool old truck! Pontiac borrowed the scoop from the Ford parts bins for use on the 62 and 63 Super duty cars.
I love these old Ford trucks, but would have no use for one. If I owned a vineyard in California I would want one or two water pumpers. Firebreaks are great but they can be jumped wiping out an entire vineyard in no time. And the trucks are considered farm equipment so no licensing required. Now I’m just a poor old country boy transplanted to the city so I’d have no place to keep such a thing, but it sure is cool.
God Bless America
Already EQUIPPED with the cool 20 tires~~!!!
Hi Guys.
Well THORPE is actually the name of the individual who restored this Truck.
He was a member and for some time President and participant creator of the Colorado Mile High Hook and Ladder Club.
Recently passed away so bow in respect to a former Firefighter and Restoration Lover in remembrance of the great history of first responders.
This is a great truck. And of course very true of old Vintage Items. Hard to store, large, and your partner might frown on your purchase.
That being said, in my opinion and this is as an observer – this could easily be modified into a flatbed or a bed truck with haul capability.
Don’t forget the past can be a part of the future.
Offers are accepted.
Estate sales.
VR
Local to me…Happy to perform an in-person inspection to any prospective buyers.
Replies should be sent to the email address/ Craigslist link provided in the commentary/writing by Mr.Dixon.
Posts asking for in-person inspections is not legitimate.
Thanks Guys.
I’m listed as a volunteer inspector with the BarnFinds community. Feel free to reach me directly for any vehicles featured in the Madison WI area.