Fargo Motor Car Co. started producing trucks in 1913. They were later purchased by Dodge who was in turn acquired by Chrysler. Later versions were rebadged Dodge trucks and were sold in Canada until 1978. The seller has a 1949 Fargo which is largely complete and is likely a ½- version. It looks to have been in a storage unit for a time and would make a great restoration project.
Dodge redesigned its trucks in 1948 (after WW2), and the B-Series included pickups. This design was carried through 1953 and included the Fargo editions. They were powered by a 218 cubic inch inline-6 that produced 95 hp with a 3-speed manual transmission. That appears to be the setup in this well-preserved semi-Dodge, but some parts have been removed. Since this truck is basically a Dodge, finding parts will be a lot easier for the seller.
A restoration may have been started as it looks like this Fargo is wearing red primer everywhere. The body looks solid, and the interior is passable. If you can get it running, that may be half the battle. We’re told the clutch works, and the single-barrel carburetor comes with an oil bath for the air filter canister. The seller says he/she has all the badges that were removed and the truck comes with a spare hood. Missing pieces include the signal and marker lights, plus a mirror and a few odds and ends.
Located in a storage unit in Laguna Niguel, California, this solid project is available here on craigslist. The asking price is $6,500 and would get a truck that you’re not likely to run across a copy of anytime soon. This pickup may have as few as 50,000 miles on it, though we don’t know when it was last on the road. The missing is MIA so you’ll have to accept a Bill of Sale to take to your DMV.
Who doesn’t like an old red pickup truck? Cool old truck, and a Fargo too, you’ll be the only one in town. These are getting harder to find in solid condition at a decent price, this guy must be serious about selling it. If it was a Ford or Chevy it would be double. If I remember right these all came from the factory with the box and back fenders painted black. The local Dodge dealer had one of these for years, up until the 70’s.
Back in the eighties, I had a Dodge WC series WW II “weapons carrier”- basically a militarized Dodge 4×4 1/2 ton pickup. I came across a 1940s vintage Fargo truck, about 1.5 tons, on a farm. It had been built in Canada, but was right hand drive. It may have been built for export (Canada was LHD). All of the steering parts and throttle linkages, etc. were there to convert my LHD Dodge to RHD (including the dashboard). It even had these cool Fargo winged globe trim pieces. It was fairly beat up and not expensive. Never having seen one, I purchased it. It would have been a really cool and unique project, but a guy saw it sitting there and just had to have it, so it moved on. Definitely a rare truck- how did it wind up in California?
So, um, what’s the shovel for? While the clutch may work, I say, there is something locked, and the clutch is being held down by the shovel to move it around. Hey, no points for style. It’s an ambitious task, and one would automatically assume a resto-mod, but you know, after watching what a bath some of these people are taking on custom cars, there could be a shift back to original. I don’t think the flattie or 3 speed has a prayer, but I hope the days of puffy interiors and clown wheels is fading. Perhaps people are finally tired of losing $50grand.
Whoever buys this should get a copy of Truck by John Jerome. It’s a perfect fit.
My guess is the reason for the lower than Ford or Chevy starting price is because in equally restored condition they don’t have the same return same hoes for the old Willys trucks. I have been watching these for sometime thinking about buying one to fix up like one of our first company pickups we had. Problem I’m finding is this old man is running out of space and time to add another project to his list.
I do think this one would be a good candidate for restoration either stock or modified but agree no clown wheels.
Minor point, but the t Fargo out of Canada was 1972. Continued in other parts if the world.
https://www.hagerty.com/media/car-profiles/cool-dodge-truck-is-actually-a-fargo-from-canada/
That should read….
Minor point, but the last Fargo out of Canada was 1972. Continued in other parts of the world.
These make a nice street rod, the dodge version anyway. Mine came with fluid drive.
I would put a 225 slant 6 with a 727 automatic. Rebuild the rear end with
3:92 maybe 3:55 gears. Add power assist steering, 4 wheel disc brakes and A/C.
As far as paint goes Chrysler PEL-WEL
Inferno red crystal pearl coat. The interior would be basically the same,all metal areas done with the same paint color the seat I would do the seat with a dark grey fabric and a medium to dark red leather trim. That’s the biggest stuff I would do!
No, leave that beautiful side valve six in it, leave it as it is and collect stories about the breed!
I had a Fargo like that! Power without glory.
A very similar one was used by the Australian “Truth” newspaper to follow and report on all three Redex Trials (1953-54&55). It was also used in surveying the route on at least one occasion.
These were not Sunday drives, they were hard going on very rough roads and had high attrition rates.
If only…you’ve heard the rest…
Old school Hemi…
I would upset all the Mopar fans out there and put an LS with a 6 speed Tremec and a Ford 9”, add disc brakes, independent front suspension with power rack and pinion steering, Vintage Air and a chrome tilt steering column. Maybe paint it Jeep Firecracker red with dark brown or tan leather interior and paint all the metal to match the exterior.
That would be if money wasn’t an object and I had room in my shop and time on my hands.
There is no shortage of narrow minded people..
It’s differrent, it’s very kool , no wrong way to do it! Just do it and drive it!