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Big Job Ready! 1959 Ford F700

We have another big Ford here for you – and this time it looks like a retired Fire-Rescue unit! It’s up for sale here on Facebook Marketplace in the area of Marion, Texas, and you can check out the highlights below, even if you don’t have a Facebook account!

For many years, Ford has been a top name in heavy-duty trucks. The original F-Series (or Bonus Built) units date back to about 1948, with the F1 through F8, each being a different weight or duty class. After 1952, Ford changed the model designations, adding the ’00’ after them. By the time the ‘Big Job’ truck we see here was built, Ford had started making factory 4×4 passenger trucks and had the larger trucks up to F-1100 with Gross Combined Weight ratings up to 75,000 lbs!

Now. let’s check out the example here. We can see that it’s a bit faded and has some body rust, and it looks as though it was at one time an emergency vehicle, probably a Rescue unit. Outside are some emergency lights but the rotator dome is missing from the front.

Inside are a handful of old-school SCB (self-contained breathing) apparatus that look like they haven’t been used in quite a while, there is some sort of power inverter, and the driver area looks to be in -decent- shape, save for a bit of damage on the driver’s seat.  More patina can be seen on the metal headliner panel.

The seller doesn’t give us much in the way of words to describe it or its condition, save for the idea that it is a “1-of-1” and has the Y-Block 292 engine and manual transmission, which they have cranked but not started as yet. The title is allegedly clean, so that’s a plus! We wish there were more pictures of the important stuff like the engine and underneath, but we can get a general idea as is.

I personally like old emergency vehicles. There’s just something about them that fascinates me, and this unit definitely has my interest piqued. It’s got patina, some equipment, and there are probably thousands of life-and-death stories that it could tell. It would take a bit to get it back in fighting shape, but maybe the next owner will find some good bits in those compartments and preserve it for the next generations. Oh, before I forget to ask:  I’m curious as to who built the service body on the back – can anyone enlighten me?

Comments

  1. Avatar Big_Fun Member

    Would that be a Superior Body? I’m looking at the rear wheel wells – simular to their school busses of that era.

    Like 2
  2. HoA Howard A Member

    This is really neat, although, think of the horrors that this vehicle responded to. I think a company named Gerstenlager, out of Wooster, Ohio, made a lot of these rescue bodies. Love the truck proper, and with a little tweaking, ( like a 2 speed axle) it could be used as is, except tubeless tires, of course. Sky, or your imagination, the limit here.

    Like 5
    • Avatar Todd Zuercher

      Left Wooster 43 years ago as a kid but still remember driving by the Gerstenslager plant and seeing all the trucks parked there.

      Like 4
    • Avatar Michael DeVittorio

      First Rescue I rode was a ’71 International with a Gerstenlager body that we all called the Pie Wagon, many great memories of brothers long since gone to the big house in the sky. I’d have to say this rig looks like a great candidate for restoration.

      Like 1
  3. Avatar Too late

    Bring this over to Ekstensive Metal Works in Houston, Texas and let them have fun with it. Perhaps a newer 6.7 powerstroke drive train with ten speed automatic.

    Like 9
    • Avatar Allen L

      Modern motor and transmission, (Ford Godzilla,) air ride seats, etc.
      Trailer hitch to tow your car to the drag strip. Look at all the parts storage in those outside lockers!

      Like 3
  4. Avatar Ken Carney

    Really cool, but for the life of me, I don’t know what I’d do with it. Food truck?
    Maybe, but other than that, I’m stumped.
    Wait a minute…idea is coming…idea is
    coming…idea is here! Would make a
    great mobile repair vehicle or one heck
    of a surfer van. Just think about where
    you could put all that food and beer!

    Like 7
  5. Avatar Steve Clinton

    $10,500. “Truck will crank. Have not tried starting.” Perhaps someone should call the paramedics.

    There can’t be that many of these left…if anybody cares.

    Like 4
  6. Avatar Mike D

    first and foremost, after getting well on the way to running ( or just plain running) would change out the seats! they look horribly uncomfortable! but, of course this was used in short bursts so comfort was not a priority . the paint ” may” buff out would be a looker!!

    Like 2
  7. Avatar jose Enciso Member

    would u plz call me 206-595-5845 , interested ,

    Like 0
  8. Avatar half cab

    Mobile welder 🤜🏼💥🤛🏼🪒👍🏻rig.

    Like 2

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