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292/3-Speed: 1962 Ford F100

The fourth generation of Ford’s F-series trucks were popular, with reportedly over 1,000,000 produced from 1961-1966. Basic, capable trucks with just enough style, they’re still popular today. This 1962 example has had plenty of work done to become the current owner’s daily driver, and is for sale here on eBay in Encinitas, California. Opening bid is $6,900 with no bidders at the time of writing, and the buy-it-now price is $11,900.

The seller says that he has performed quite a few upgrades, repairs, and modifications to the drivetrain of this truck. Unfortunately, he hasn’t yet provided any great photos of the engine, although some have been uploaded after the ad was originally placed, so there’s a chance more may become available. From the description online, we are told that the truck was purchased 7 years ago with a non-running engine, and it sounds as if the original engine was rebuilt (instead of a new engine being installed). It is listed as having a 292 cubic inch Y-block, which would be making 160hp. The truck also has a 3-speed manual column-mounted transmission. Some additional items the seller mentions are a conversion from generator to alternator, Flowmaster exhaust, electronic ignition and choke, power brake upgrade, and new electric starter.

The interior looks to be all original. Simple gauges and a bench seat are pretty much it, but to be honest I actually really like the classic minimalist look here. This truck was used on a vineyard, for the San Diego Water District and also as a Forest Service vehicle, so simple was probably best. While everything appears to be original (with probably a slightly newer seat cover), I don’t see any major damage or areas to be concerned about.

The exterior is where the truck needs the most amount of work. The current owner says they wanted to keep the “patina” look. While many people use that work to justify serious rust, I think it works here. Notice the worn down areas along the windows – you can picture decades of drivers resting their arms there in the sun. Rust is bad, but patina tells a story! The only areas of even minor corrosion that can be easily seen in the photos are around the gas filler, the mirrors, and top of the tailgate. That’s definitely a benefit of California weather. The owner does suggest replacing the rubber exterior trim. Overall, this is a solid running truck that will feel at home on the farm or the beach.

Comments

  1. Avatar FordGuy1972 Member

    Looks like a fairly sound truck for the money if you go for the BIN. Needs a re-paint and a rear bumper along with some interior work. Installing the fog spotlights in front of the parking lights wasn’t well thought out but I’d get rid of those anyway. It would have been nice if the seller includes some images of the bed and the odd pictures of some mechanical bits don’t help much; one image of the whole engine would have been better. Overall, I like the simple nature of this vintage Ford pickup but I would want it to sparkle and throw some fresh paint at it.

    Like 5
    • Avatar Eric B

      You feel that 12 grand is a fair price AND you would invest in a paint job on top of that? That’s a rather large investment. I love the paint the way it is and feel it would be a shame to paint it, and still feel 12 is way too much.

      Like 1
  2. Avatar Bob_in_TN Member

    I’ve often told myself that if I ever got seriously interested in a 60’s-70’s Ford pickup, it would need to be a simple model with a three-on-the-tree…. like the Ford pickups I drove back in the day. But I’ll admit the last time I drove a three-on-the-tree was almost 40 years ago. I wonder if today I would find them quite as charming.

    I’m with FordGuy on this one. Work on the mechanicals and give it a paint job and you’d have a basic but cool runaround truck. Those big bumper-mounted fog lights are period-correct, but coupled with the fender-mounted turn signals do clutter up the looks.

    Like 8
  3. Avatar Steve R

    I’d drive it as it sits. The paint may not be perfect, but it’s presentable, that’s what makes it affordable and useful. New paint will make it cost prohibitive to many potential buyers while simultaneously drastically limits its use. As of right now, it makes a great entry level car, which are becoming harder and harder to find, why ruin that?

    Steve R

    Like 8
  4. Avatar angliagt Member

    This is kind of a cool old truck,but I’d never spend
    that kind of money for it.
    Back in the day,these were just affordable old trucks,
    & not worth much.Can you imagine telling the owner of this
    30+ years ago,that someone would want that kind of money for it?

    Like 4
  5. Avatar Matt Saunders

    Reminds me of the ’63 stepside we had when I was a kid. Being in small town S TX I knew how to drive at an early age (around town, out at the ranch, etc) but never drove that truck or any with a column shift….until 1 Sat morning after a far Fri night football game I woke up to a note. “Meet us at the ranch. We have work to do.” 13yo & here 1 go on wet rds yet. That truck had no weight in the rear & I had to leave the house & immediately go up a steep hill. Learned to love that truck & was upset when my father sold it 3mon before I got my license.

    Like 4
  6. HoA Howard A Member

    I think the only way to bring these prices down, is simply not buy it. Proof again these folks in Cal. live in a different world. I’ve said it so many times, it must be true. This infatuation with vintage pickups sure is gaining steam. Before I bought the squarebody, I almost bought a truck like this, a ’65, I think. Both wanted $1400, but the GMC was a nicer truck. California, or some other low rust area is the only way. These had a bad habit of front cab mounts ( and surrounding area) rusting. They can be fixed, but a big job. People complain about the “Twin-I Beam” front end,( 1965) and while it wasn’t the best, it was better than these straight axle jobs. 1st “bump steer” will wake up the new owner, I bet. What’s a “bump steer” you say? Straight axles have a tendency to transmit the shock of a front wheel hitting a pothole, over to the other side, and on bigger trucks, can literally yank the steering wheel out of your hands. Nice find,,for half the price.

    Like 5
    • Avatar Mountainwoodie

      HoA- Well you know with legalized dope here now, lots of folks selling old iron smoke a bowl or two before setting the price. Encinitas is up the coast about 30 miles from San Diego, Lots of sun can also bake your brain.

      Its a nice truck fo’sure but if its worth 12 grand or hell even 6 grand, whats my ’72 C10 worth?

      As someone else said.nobody buy it and the pricce will come down. Only problem is theres an awful lot of folks here with money to burn.at least youd think so by the prices they pay for houses. So some guy with a an open flloor plan Neo Tudor Revival of 6-8,000 feet and 6 car garage and “motor court” in a new development will probably pay the price just to have it in his garage.

      Not that theres anything wrong with that :)

      Like 2
  7. Avatar GOM

    Technically, bump steer is a slight change of direction due to suspension deflection; that is, the steering linkage is set up in such a way that the front wheels turn slightly when the suspension is loaded or unloaded. It is most often a result of suspension modifications, such a lift kits. Drop-down pitman arms are sometimes used to compensate. What you stated about one wheel telegraphing an impact to the other is true, but is not truly “bump-steer”.

    Like 0

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