While I’m doing this Ford thing today, let’s go from the grandeur of a ’36 DeLuxe Phaeton to the down-trodden of this 1935 Ford Model 48 pickup. This one is an outside find and is in need of some help but there may be some possibility here. This Ford pickup is located in Auburn, Pennsylvania and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $5,520 with twelve bids tendered so far.
Right out of the gate, the seller states that this pickup is a 1935 model year but to my untrained eye, and the grille/hood vents, it looks more like a ’34 – any informed input on that front would be appreciated. Anyway, the visuals will have to the talkin’ as the item details are lax. The seller does state, however, “Grill and hood intact but missing support between grill and firewall. Grill and radiator missing mounting bolts“. The grille has either tangled or been tangled, with something that has put some spread into the lower center portion. It is hard to tell what’s up with the bumper as in is the chrome flaking off or is it silver paint that is peeling away? There is a lot of mold and surface rust but the body does not appear to have deteriorated. The seller mentions that other items are part of the sale, including wire wheels.
The seller suggests that the cargo bed is pretty solid. That must be based on an underside inspection because I don’t know how that could be determined from the topside considering the mound of “stuff” that has been dumped in there. Anyone need a used oil filter? There are two images of the underside and while not very revealing, nothing leaps forward as a problem.
Power, when operable, comes from an 85 HP, 221 CI, flathead V8 engine working through a three-speed manual transmission. The engine appears to have not been touched in eons. Note that the distributor cap has been opened, and the radiator hoses are disconnected, perhaps an attempt to service or start? One should expect other foibles to appear as well.
The interior, spartan as trucks of this era were, is notable for removed floorboards, dangling wires, a cracked steering wheel, dissolved door panels, and what looks like an auto parts store plaid seat cover pulled over the original bench. Typically, there is other stuff scattered about and obscuring the view but it probably doesn’t matter as there is nothing here to really see.
OK, what to do time? With a coupe or a sedan, I always drift towards a restore, whereas with a truck I think more along the lines of modification. I have no rational reason for that approach, that’s just how it hits me. And this Ford truck, be it a ’34 or a ’35, may have the proper disposition for some mods, though I wouldn’t go full custom. How about you, assuming that there is something here suitable for the next life, which way would you go?
I’m inclined to think it is a 35 with the front clip being a 34 replacement for what ever reason. If that being the case I would definitely go with resto rod. Keeping the flathead V8 with some upgrades for power output and use a tremec 5 speed transmission and Ford 8” or 9” rear end. Ofcourse suspension and steering and brake changes would be mandatory. I would add some comfort items such as; a/c, power disc brakes, power steering and a very comfortable custom built seat with modern seat belts. For music I prefer the sound of the flatly pouring exhaust through 2” dual pipes running all the way out the back. I never listen to a radio these days even in my new car. New sealed oak floorboards in the cab and the bed with stainless steel mounting hardware, the bed having a nice Custom built cover. Wheels and tires would be true spokes with black wall radials. Electrical system would be 12v negative ground with alternator and LED lighting. Windshield wipers would be electric. Clutch and brake pedals would be changed to hanging under dash style. Likely the radiator would need restored or replaced but keeping an original hood ornament. Body would be painted metallic candy apple forest green. With chrome bumpers and grill. Then I’d drive it over to the George Bush Park take pictures and sit with a picknic lunch while people flocked to admire and ask questions.
God bless America
I’d add a vintage horizontal supercharger for the Flattie, Beefy wide whitewalls on chrome spoke rims, Painted White & blue stripes just like my ROUSH pickup,and of couse a pair of stacks up the back corners of the cab
I will go with your upgrades. You paint a perfect picture.
I bought this truck . Took it down to the bones amazing condition. Motor had. Multiple cracks. Not rebuilding I’m keeping As much stock as possible. See. Facebook 35/36 ford truck
Not 1 but 2 pics of the oil spill in the bed! I do not get it, but things were different back then. Must have been a carb problem also. A couple of those and an intake also. Surprised to see only1 pull tab can back there. Good looking style, hope it stays close to stock looking.
The seller is correct, it is a ’35.
The ’32-34 was completely different.
Your are right. The 34 grille was similar in appearance to the 32 Ford style
‘35’s are my personal favorite.
(Is that a ‘36 grill shell ?)
Hopefully there was enough drain oil in those filters to preserve the bed…
Has an 8BA engine.
‘34 was more squared off. ‘35 has the V8 emblem in the center of the hood side panel. This is either a ‘36, or maybe a ‘35 with ‘36 hood. Closer inspection would be needed to make that determination. Hope that helps. Cool truck in either case. 👍🏻
I am not sure if it is a ’35 or ’36. The grille shell and hood are definitely ’36. Engine and tranny are out of later 40’s vehicle. Looks like someone added hydraulic brakes, Ford did not go hydraulic until ’39. Front fenders appear to ’35 but cannot tell for sure, if the slot where the front bumper bracket goes through is open on the bottom it would be ’36 or even ’37, as the ’35 is closed across the bottom. Shift lever for a ’35 would be the gracefully bent ‘swan’ type. ’35 had wire wheels, last year for the and the only year for 16″ wires. The bed should be metal over wood slats, which were for support. Another thing to check would be the gas gauge, ’35 is a capillary type while ’36 is electric. Hope this helps some. I have a ’35 which I bought back in 1966 and have loved ’em since!
It looks like a later 239 8 BA flathead .
Gord is right. the Grill on my ’34 pickup was a closer match to my ’32 5 window I traded for it.
Almost looks like a mixture of ‘35 and ‘36. The hood is a ‘36 and the angle of the grill also looks like a ‘36. Of course 1936 was the change to the wide wheel bolt pattern and the steel artillery wheels which are NOT what it has right now. Definitely not a 221 in that engine bay; you’re looking at a ‘49-‘51 8BA. Nothing wrong with it; the 8BA had the water outlets back to the front giving them a tiny bit of resemblance to the original…
Looks like a 35′ to me
Well let do this let do that to this old rust bucket really why
dump money in to this when you can buy one finished 20k
I see the Door Window Openings have a Trim around them. I have a 1935 Ford Pickup that is pretty much as original as it gets. However mine doesn’t have that Trim that is attached Window Frames, Mine has a Knotched out Area to put a couple of Fingers in to pull the Door Closed. I don’t see this on these Doors. Stupid Question… Could those WindowTrim be possibly covering up those knoched out areas?