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Here’s another Ford COE, this one is listed on craigslist in Sacramento, California, in case this one is a little closer to you or if you prefer black. The asking is $5,000, about the same as the previous one we featured here. This one has a 289 V8 and a manual gearbox. It runs and drives, but needs the brakes redone. That’s all the seller has to say about it. As always, let me know if you’d like more pictures (I’d love to have an excuse to see this old beast)!
It looks complete with no visible signs of rust. That looks like an air tank on the right. What do you suppose that’s for? What would you do with a truck like this? Which one would better suite your needs, this one or the red one recently featured?
Air tank is likely for the brakes. Is this truly a cab – over though? It’s got a hood…
Hi grant, technically, it’s a “LCF” or low cab forward, like the 1950 the other day. Many still called it a cabover, though.
That’s what I thought, Howard. Thank you for the clarification.
Another cool truck, although, I’m not sure what you’d do with it like it is. I think that tank is an aftermarket fuel tank, as most of these had outside tanks on the frame, as opposed to behind the seat on pickups and I highly doubt it has air brakes, especially on a straight truck. While the 289 is a welcome update, I hope the gearing has been done, and if it has, going 65 mph in this truck is something even I would question doing. ( without a complete a late model chassis redo)
Needs a V10 swap.
Hi Wayne, I’d do the whole works. Late model F series ( V-10 or diesel) truck chassis and put this body on it. I think that would be the easiest.
of the 2 i like the shorter wheelbase on this. but the seller needs to post a lot more photos/text. great find.
pretty much keep it as is, rebuild the bed, chrome wheels , nothing is said about the interior, but will take it that it needs a redo .. fresh paint, would make an excellent ” billboard” truck
A Cumins turbo diesel with a 5 speed gear box behind it needs to be in there. I’d also think that some 3.25 gears should also be in there. Shorten the wheel base a little more and install a 1 ton truck box with a 5th wheel attachment. Paint it black with a red interior, put on some chromed wheels and chrome the grille and front bumper, you’d have a heavy hauler that could keep up with traffic and look good doing it.
I’m sorry but I’ve just seen too many LCF cabs dropped onto modern chassis. No one knows what the original trucks looked like. I can understand why people do it; hell I’m the first one to admit that they look pretty cool but there just aren’t enough of them in original condition left. I look at it like a ’32-’34 Ford roadster; a ’40-’41 Willys; a ’48-’51 Anglia; so many of them have been completely changed over to the point where the generations coming up think that’s what they looked like. When I was 10 years old I actually thought that a Model T could actually be ordered from the factory with a short 2 foot bed on it. I don’t mean to rain on someone’s parade but that’s the way I feel…
I agree with Mark S about the power train, a 289would be Okay with the original high ratio rear ends these old trucks had but 55mph would probably be flat out. The rear end change is critical. I’d probably mount a used 22 foot travel trailer on the rear and have a Gypsy caravan style interior making this rig into a retirement motor home but you would need the Cummins power and economy.