This truck is just what you’d expect to find forgotten in a barn and must be what Ford meant by “Built Ford Tough”. At 59 years old, it still looks ready to work, it just needs an engine, and there’s the puzzle. The hole in the block is easy to understand, but the Ford Dagenham diesel engine is puzzling. What’s a “Dagenham” you ask? It’s a marshy place in East London. It’s also the name of a huge factory, at one time the largest in Europe, that has been building Ford cars, trucks, and engines since 1931. In the 1950s there were over 50,000 workers. So, what is a Dagenham diesel doing in an old Ford truck? Was this really an option? The “Diesel” badge on the hood does not look original, so likely the conversion was done by a second party, perhaps for Ford dealers. This truck lacks the usual rust, rats nests, and even dents and is in amazing condition. It’s listed on eBay in Chiloquin, Oregon for $2,600.
Author: david
Eye Candy: 1949 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible
Can you imagine what it must have been like to go for years with no new cars? Then, after the war, new cars were still the old pre-war designs for a couple of years. Then, in 1948 all new designs began to appear, like the Hudson Hornet, the “shoebox” Ford and the new Cadillac for example. After years of war and all the hardships, it must have been truly amazing to see and drive the new cars. This Cadillac must have made quite an impression. It was stored for 30 years. Pictures show it to be in great condition except for the rust on the hood, perhaps where the barn leaked. Perhaps the color was a custom color or perhaps it is not original. Perhaps this convertible was restored at some time. There are few details provided in the eBay listing but there is a link to many detailed photos. It runs but hasn’t been started for awhile. There’s no word on any necessary mechanical restoration performed.
Waiting 35 Years: 1956 Mercury Monterey
This Mercury is said to be a real one family-owned car that’s been stored since 1981. We see so many cars like this with nice 20 or 30-foot paint but we have to wonder how much Bondo and rust might be hiding under the paint and on the underside of the car. This listing on eBay actually has several pictures of the underneath and things under there look pretty good. There’s lots of surface rust but no apparent damage. It’s nice to see that the underside is not coated in gooey, rust hiding, black. There are some rust bubbles showing along the bottoms of the fenders. It starts and runs, but there’s a scary rattle when you put it into gear. It was a Florida car that is now in Taunton, Massachusetts. Bidding is almost $4,000 at this time.
Cannot Rust: 1963 Winchester London Taxi
There have been several London taxis featured here on Barn Finds recently and here’s yet another, a fiberglass taxi. Wait, what, why fiberglass? London Taxis are very tightly regulated. They must be approved by the Public Carriage Office which requires certain things like a limousine configuration and certain body dimensions including a high roof, a 25 foot turning radius and a 10 year service life. So, why fiberglass? In 1960 there were only about 6,000 Taxis in London, so only about 600 new Taxis were needed a year, the market was very limited. Besides the rust issue, building in fiberglass makes it possible to build cars without the expensive investment in tooling, perfect for such a small market. The Austin FX4 was the most popular cab in 1960 but it was unreliable, had rust issues and was difficult to repair. The Owners Drivers Society, a group of taxi drivers wanted something better. They had James Whitson and company build them. This one is for sale on eBay in San Diego, California. The opening bid is $2,500. It runs but needs brake work.
Seventy Seven And Original: 1940 Chrysler Royal 4 Door
Cars were evolving rapidly as improvements were invented and developed. Often, cars were not only restyled every year or two, they were often completely redesigned. Although the Royal was Chrysler’s entry level car, it was completely redesigned about every 2 years. You can really follow the changes in the advertisements. For example, for the 1940 Royal, the wheelbase was lengthened and the passenger compartment sat ahead of the rear axle instead of over it. Chrysler advertised “easy entry doors with no fender cutouts to soil your clothes as well as “away from the bouncing rear axle.” This Royal is listed on eBay in Rockaway, New Jersey for $2,700 or best offer. It runs, is very complete and looks solid with mostly surface rust. Pictures of the interior would be nice, but all there is is a picture of the speedometer. We can only guess what it might be like inside.
Cheap Truck: 1941 White Semi Truck Flatbed
The White Motor Company began its 80 year history in 1900 building steam cars in the corner of a sewing machine factory. Over the years they built steam cars, tractors, trucks of all kinds and equipment for the military. This 1941 White Motor Company truck is listed here on eBay in Eugene, Oregon for $5,500. It’s old, it looks cool, it is big and it doesn’t cost much, especially when you consider the price per pound. It runs well but needs some reassembly as you can see.
Killer Doors: 1947 Plymouth Special Deluxe
Sometimes you see a car listed on craigslist that looks so nice, that whatever it is, you know you have a closer look. It might be cool to own a car with suicide doors. You know it won’t be nearly as nice as the pictures, but still, you cling to the fantasy of finding a car that looks as nice as the pictures. Luckily, this old Plymouth is across the country from me in Greenville, South Carolina, so I’m safe. The asking price of $6,500 is right between low and average retail and might even seem reasonable for a car that runs and sort of drives. The engine and transmission were rebuilt years ago. In 1947 car companies were mostly building cars that were warmed over versions of pre-war models so this Plymouth has that fat fender and running board look that some of us actually like. It hasn’t been driven since 1969, so it was only driven for about 20 years.
No Bargain: 1931 Ford Model A Coupe
The Ford Model A was introduced in 1927 and was a huge leap in technology from the Model T. Chevy, Chrysler, and other companies had moved on from the T era to equipping their cars with 4 wheel brakes, geared transmissions, standard pedal arrangement, electrical systems and other features found on more modern cars. The Model A was competitive, and Ford sold almost 4 million of them by the time production ended in 1931. Many have been made into hot rods and many others have rusted away, but there are still a lot left. Many were restored in the 1950s and 1960s. As their owners lost interest, energy or died, the old Fords were left in garages, sheds, barns or even outside. Rocco B found this Model A listed on craigslist for $5500. It seems to be located somewhere in Massachusetts. The owner describes this Model A as original, but it’s actually an older restoration. It looks complete, but the engine is seized.
Hanging Around: Home Built Aircraft
Barn Find readers find all manner of unusual vehicles for sale, including airplanes. Clarke B found this project listed on craigslist in Empire, Michigan for $700. The seller knows nothing about it and just needs it gone. This is a configuration mostly seen in ultralights. Someone spent many hours, and lots of money, building this airplane and sadly, it will never fly unless it can qualify as an ultralight aircraft. It will need to weigh less than 254 pounds when completed. Otherwise, the new owner would have to register it as experimental. He would have to prove that he had built at least 50% of the airplane as well as pass a thorough inspection. Proof would be in the form of pictures, builder’s logs and materials invoices. The builder was getting close. It looks like it is ready for cover and the engine and propeller installation.
Not Primer Gray: 1947 Lincoln Continental Club Coupe
This Continental does not look like a car designed in 1938 when cars were much taller and had running boards. The design started life as a custom convertible designed for Edsel Ford, shipped to him in Florida for his vacation. The new design was 7 inches lower than the Lincoln and the hood wasn’t much higher than the fenders. The new design was so popular with Edsel’s friends, he decided to build them. The first cars were built by hand with hand hammered body panels, a few in 1939 and 400 in 1940. The design continued with only minor changes until 1948. At first glance, this old Lincoln may appear to be in primer, but it’s actually the original blue gray color. This one is said to be completely original, including the paint, except for an engine rebuild. It’s listed on eBay in Avilés, Spain with an opening bid of $20,000 and no bids yet, and a BIN of $45,000.
18k Mile 1968 Pontiac Bonneville Brougham
Could this old Pontiac listed on craigslist really have only 18,000 miles on it? For once, it may be true. It’s on Bainbridge Island which is only about 10 miles long and 5 miles wide and populated by less than 25,000 people. This Bonneville was purchased new by a funeral home and only used for funerals. The seller doesn’t say how long he’s owned the car. It appears very original and in great condition and loaded with about every option available in 1968. Perhaps there is someone somewhere willing to pay $12,000 for the car. (more…)
Feeling Empty: 1939 Lasalle Four Door Sedan
The LaSalle was General Motors attempt to fill the gap between the Cadillac and the Buick. It did well and outsold the Cadillac. The 1939 LaSalle was redesigned, adding a taller grill and waterfall side grills, and moving the headlights up to the sides of the radiator. When you look at that beautiful paintwork in this eBay listing and the BIN of just $7,000 it just might get your attention. That price is about half of low retail. But don’t hit that BUY IT NOW button just yet! Luckily, this is not your typical eBay listing. The seller is very open and honest in his description and pictures, including the rust. The owner had this car disassembled repainted in the 1970s. Then it sat until 2005 when it was shipped to Indiana. The seller purchased it this year. The paint work still looks nice, especially with the recent wet sanding and buffing. The seller has done a lot of mechanical work to get the car running well, although the brake and electrical systems need attention.
Flash Powered: 1950 Simca 8 Sport Cabriolet
Here’s a face unfamiliar to most. It’s based on the Simca 8, produced from 1937 to 1951. Simca built the Sport model from 1948 until 1951. It has an aluminum body designed by Pinin Farina and made by Facel Metallon. Thanks to reader Richard for finding this rare little car. It’s listed on eBay in Dallas, Texas with bids not yet meeting reserve at about $25,000. It’s been sitting for over 30 years and appears complete except for the bumpers. It’s been repainted once and has a few dents. There’s no apparent corrosion in the body and there’s not rust showing in the chassis.
A Little Car that Could: 1936 Opel P4
There were many similarities between the US and European car markets, but some things were very different. For example, there was a strong demand for a cheap, dependable car in both Europe and the US. In Germany, Opel, like Ford in America, was the first German manufacturer to use an assembly line to build cars faster and cheaper, although much later. Like Ford, Opel ‘s goal was to build a car for everyone, not just the rich. Opel’s first mass produced automobile, however, was named the Tree Frog (Laubfrosch) and came in just one color, not black like Fords, but, of course, green. General Motors bought most of Opal in 1929. The P4 was introduced in 1935 and was a huge success, selling over 100,000 cars, a first for German car manufacturers. Charles G found this great example listed on eBay in Älvkarleby, Uppsala, Sweden for $14,500. The seller’s father bought it from the original owner. It is described as being unrestored and completely original but must have been restored at some time.
Cherry On Top: 1955 International Fire Truck
There are often well maintained low mileage fire trucks for sale. They have usually been kept inside, are not often rusty and usually priced very reasonably. The problem usually is, what can you do with a fifty-foot long vehicle? Here’s an International based on the R series truck that while it won’t fit in your garage, it’s not a half a city block long. It’s listed on eBay for $6,800 in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin. It sat for many years, but the seller had it running and driving last year. It looks completely original down to the pin stripes.
It Glitters: 1967 Ford Galaxie Wagon
Rocco B has found us yet another interesting survivor. The seller is calling this a Galaxy but it’s actually a Country Squire. It looks like it’s solid and original except for that “parade float gold” paint and those wheels. You can read all about it here on craigslist. There were big changes made to the Galaxy in 1965, including replacing the leaf springs in the rear with a three-link setup with coil springs. This wagon was moved from California to Waterford, Michigan several years ago but still bears the California black plates.
