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390 V8 Powered: 1951 Ford F1 Pickup

This cool old truck is located in Harrisonville, Missouri and is listed here on eBay with a current bid price of $1,076. The seller has a 100% feedback history and says he wants to keep it that way! This truck could be restored or converted into a rat rod with some rust repair and additional work.

The truck is fitted with a 390 V8 engine and 4-speed transmission. The seller makes no bones about it that you need to be a car guy to buy this vehicle and the truck will need to be trailered to a new home for restoration. This truck is considered a first-generation F series pickup that were built from 1948-1952.

The interior looks original, although I am sure the seat has been recovered a couple of times over the last 65 years! There were 117,414 F-1 pickups built-in 1951. This was down from the prior year in 1950 due to Korean war quotas introduced by the US government.

While the seller states this truck will need rust repair, I think a rat rod restoration that celebrates a little rust in its future. With a 390 V8 and 4 speed, this pickup should move on down the road after it receives some TLC. With 7 days left in the auction, it will be interesting to see how high this truck gets bid up.

Comments

  1. Avatar chillywind

    a 390 in this sucker?
    I had one with a flat head and it was hard to drive down the road at 60.
    This is probably a handful!

    Like 2
  2. HoA Howard A. Member

    Now here’s a swap I could live with, only I’d put a car 4 speed in, better yet, an automatic. I wonder how they got that old box to bolt up to the 390. The 390 was a good ol’ motor, thirsty, but they had the power of a big block, and ran forever. I think the 390 was the most used Ford V8 of all. I’m really surprised this isn’t going for more. Bottom falling out on these too? Hooray!

    Like 3
  3. Avatar Brent

    Sticker on motor says 360 – 390 engine family 360 CID. I would say it was a 360.
    360s were good truck motors. Would make a good match for this truck.

    Like 1
  4. Avatar Bob C.

    Back in those days a lot of truck motors were rated lower than cars in horsepower. The 360 was exceptionally lower (196 to 215). Probably for better low end torque is my guess.

    Like 0
  5. Avatar FordGuy1972 Member

    Nice write up, Bruce, though I don’t know many who celebrate rust. I sure don’t.

    Like 8
  6. Avatar Robert G

    Is it just me or does the fan look like it is on backwards?
    Could that be why it needs to be towed? Because it is overheating?

    Like 2
    • Avatar moosie

      Sure enough the fan is on backwards but no mention of why it is not driveable. No title makes this truck a non issue to me. Weather I’m spending a Thousand or Ten Thousand dollars the purchase will need a legitimate numbers matching title, one gotten by the seller.

      Like 3
  7. Avatar John Wilburn

    Love it!

    Like 1
  8. Avatar Charles Moorehead

    Looks like a part truck to me…..Maybe!
    Rust is expensive to say the least.
    Motor could be bad who knows,
    Its a pile of parts for who knows how much money!!!
    Keep looking!

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Johnmloghry

    I had a 59 Ford one ton with 390 and granny four speed. With the right bell housing you can mount those Ford v8 engines to any Ford transmission. I had to pull the engine once and replace with another 390 right on the side of the road in Tacoma, Washington. One day job, then back on the road, great old truck.
    God bless America

    Like 2
  10. Avatar TimM

    51-52 was my favorite year!! The grill on these trucks is just killer to me!! A 390 in this truck I’m sure could do some damage to the transmission and rear end!! (If there original) It blows my mind that they bolted it up to the stock transmission!! A Tremec 5 speed and a Currie 9 inch would be a positive match and with a paint job the only thing you won’t pass on the high way is the gas station!!! Nice truck for sure!!!

    Like 0

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