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Canadian Military Issue: 1949 Ford F68

This 1949 Ford F68, or F3 for us Americans, was ordered by the Canadian Military back in 1949. It has seen just 30k miles since new, well at least that’s what the seller claims. As you can see, the exterior has suffered from years of exposure to the elements, but these trucks were so well built that I don’t actually see any alarming rust. It apparently was sold to a farmer after it retired from the service and it subsequently received the typical work truck upgrades. It’s currently in Norco, California and is still running and driving, likely much the same as it did back in 1949! You can find this great old work truck here on eBay with a current bid of $6,500.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I love the looks of these ’40s Fords. The grille and shape of the fenders just work so well together. This one would look great with a new paint job, but if you are on a budget, you could actually leave the exterior as is for the time being. It would probably start more conversations as is than it will once it’s restored! I’ll leave deciding what to do with the exterior up to the next owner.

The interior has clearly had some work done already, but it looks to have been limited mostly to just cleaning it up and installing a new seat cover. Again, it could be used as is just fine or it could be fully restored. I see some rust on the floors, but I don’t see any daylight, so that’s a good sign!

The original flathead V8 is said to be in good order. We don’t get many photos of it, but it looks like it has had recent service with a new alternator and some new wiring. These are easy engines to work on, so it shouldn’t be difficult to keep it on the road.

Every time I come across an old truck like this, it makes me want to buy one. I know they aren’t that fast or even that nice to drive, but they are so great looking and would make for one awesome parts hauler. I’d remove the PTO and hoist, treat the exterior with Waxoyl and drive the heck out of this old rig. How about you?

Comments

  1. Avatar Todd Zuercher

    This guy must be making a lot of trips to Canada for these great old rigs.

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    • Avatar Rodney

      I heard that he has a big collection up there, that he built up over the years and now he’s slowly selling them all off.

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    • Avatar Loco Mikado

      When I first went to visit my sister in Sask in the late 1980’s-early 90’s the old cars up there were everywhere and not all rusted out like down here, there was an old late 30’s pick up cab that had been sitting on the ground for 40 years or more and floorboards looked better than most for sale down here. I had an idea to buy them up but no money and distance made it only a pipe dream. I am glad my idea wasn’t all that crazy though.

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  2. Avatar Bob S

    Wonder what year this arrived in CA? Looks very solid. I’d not bother painting it.

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  3. Avatar lawrence

    Yep….it’s been for sale before….guess BF is getting like CL….

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    • Avatar Stephen

      Lawrence, you seem to comment on every truck that is posted, saying exactly the same thing – ‘this one has been for sale before’.
      You’ve been called out on it several times now because you’re simply talking nonsense.
      Firstly, it’s insulting to the administrators, who obviously check what they’re posting before posting something, and would have a far better idea if something was posted more than once than you would.
      And secondly, it’s becoming tiresome to other users. Are you simply bored? Is it that you in fact really want a truck but don’t have the means to get your own? What’s the problem? Maybe we can all help you…

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    • Avatar Jesse Staff

      You sure about that lawrence? I just checked the seller’s past auctions and even did an image search. Doesn’t look like this truck has ever been listed elsewhere before. Perhaps you are confusing it for another truck?

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  4. Avatar Mark

    Great original truck, bet it could pull out tree stumps!!

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  5. Avatar geomechs Member

    I learned to drive (trucks) in an F3 with side boards on the bedsides. Took grain away from the combine in one. I was around 8 years old then. I developed quite a liking toward the Tonner Fords after that. You could never get away from the whine of those T-9 transmissions, unless you hooked one up behind a six. I’d love to have a truck like this one. It would get a driver quality restoration and then it would get used, whining transmission and all. 55 mph would be all the cruising speed you’d want; anything more the brakes and the handling would get out of whack.

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    • HoA Howard A Member

      Hi geomechs, we can agree on this one, ( keep it original) although, I’d at least paint it some period correct color ( and please, not black, or wild 100 coats of candy red) The hoist ( and coal chute tailgate) is a special plus. Truth be known, I never cared for the ’52 and newer Fords. I liked this style much better. I think 55 mph may be a tad optimistic. You’re a braver man than I.

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      • Avatar geomechs Member

        Period correct color? Let’s see—How about Forest Green? Just kidding, or maybe a little cynical, although that’s the color my ’47 left the factory with and will be that color when I get it on the road. It seems that dark green is next to Ford Model T black. They can have any color they want, as long as it’s black. Enter the 30s and they can have any color they want as long as it’s—dark green. It’s interesting to note that no matter what color the exterior (and interior paint) was, the seats and headliner were green pebble finish. It wasn’t until post war when tan, and dark gray were offered.

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  6. Avatar Mark S

    This truck has survived for 68 year. Why does the heck have to be driven out of it. I don’t understand the need to abuse it just because it’s old. JMHO.

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    • HoA Howard A Member

      Hi Mark, keeping in mind, trucks of this era were just trucks. Nothing fancy about them. They were used, and like geomechs says, farmers put side boards on the box, and LOADED the truck. It was probably not unusual to have 2 or even 3 tons of grain on these. Then, when done, they were parked( unless the kid took it out when the folks were gone, to “see what she’d do”), until they were needed again. I can say from experience, farmers generally, couldn’t care less about the appearance. I rarely remember a shiny farm truck.

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  7. Avatar Bill T

    We are looking for one for “Lawn Art” anyone in my area code 315 with a ideal candidate feel free to reach out to me. Doesn’t need to run, just to roll. It’s going to be turned into a flowerbed… so it’s go to have patina… but not a total rot box ;)

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  8. Avatar Joe Backer

    Whats with the rear axle on the passenger side? It’s pushed forward like over a foot.

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    • Avatar KEN TILLY Member

      Hi Joe, Hi Ben T. Ever heard of the word “Perspective”?

      Like 0
  9. Avatar Ben T. Spanner

    I think the rear axles appear to be too far forward because the bed was moved up and back with the lift installation. The front bottom of the bed needs to clear the rear of the cab as it pivots up.

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  10. Avatar Bob Rooks

    I’m assuming there must be documentation to support the Canadian military claim? If this was in fact a Canadian built truck it would be called a Mercury.

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    • Avatar K.T.

      Bob Rooks………Not so, my Dad bought a new Ford 49 F1 in central Ontario. build in Windsor Ontario. I wish I knew how much he paid for it but he had it for over 20 years. I learned to drive on that truck and remember riding in the back with my brother with Mom and Pop and sister in front.
      I got my first job when I was 13, priming tobacco, and Dad let my drive into work on the back roads but was strictly forbidden to drive on the hardtop. Great memories.

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    • Avatar Roger

      Before making statements Bob you should know a little about what you’re talking about. They sold more Ford trucks than Mercury trucks in Canada and Canadian Ford trucks were badged by gross vehicle weight from 48-50 like this example. Half tons (F1) were F47 in regards to the 4,700lb gross vehicle weight and heavy 3/4 tons like this truck were F68 (F3) in regards to the 6,800lb gross vehicle weight.

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      • Avatar Bob Rooks

        I was brought to my knees by the owner who stated that the Ford trucks outsold the Mercury trucks between ’48 and ’68 by more that two to one, however that doesn’t explain the crossbadging. Canadians aren’t dumb and ignorant people, and therefore could easily conclude that the M-68 was identical in structure to an F-3. I’m just thinking there is something fishy because the VIN isn’t posted, and no military documentation.

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      • Avatar geomechs Member

        I’m inclined to think that a lot of trucks bought by the military were nothing special; they were simply basic civilian models that were used to haul various pieces of equipment and supplies from Point-A to Point-B. I used to see trucks from Malmstrom Airforce Base in Great Falls, MT. They didn’t look any different from a 3/4 ton that was used by the local building contractor in town except that it was painted in Air Force livery and ID’d accordingly. A few of them got sold off and ended up in the hands of local farmers and contractors….

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    • Avatar Roger

      Why would a seller post a photo of a VIN for anyone to see? I bought a 54 Fargo truck from this seller 2 years ago and there is certainly nothing fishy about my truck. It’s a very original honest truck and the whole buying experience was very pleasant, he even arranged shipping for me to Nebraska. Throwing negative propaganda around on the internet with no justified reason is very unfair. My one experience with this fella was a very good one.

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      • Avatar Bob R.

        I’m glad to hear that

        Like 0
  11. Avatar Loco Mikado

    Military vehicles are a whole different animal than civilian vehicles.

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    • Avatar Bob Rooks

      Yes, but quite frequently the military will purchase regular civilian vehicles, oftentimes without changing the civilian livery.

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  12. Avatar Ken Carney

    Now before any restorers out there cry
    “Stone him, stone him!” I would nuy this
    truck and put it to work hauling scrap.
    By doing this, I would ne creating 2 more
    jobs for my moderately didabled brothers
    in law that cannot find work in the resl world. Besides, this truck is fine just the
    way it is and boy, I can think of a lot of
    Uses for it!

    Like 0

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