Most older pickups that you find still around are the lightweight models–this Ford F250 is a little more unusual, and might offer some great value for the price. It’s listed for sale here on eBay and is located in Parks, Arizona. Dry Arizona. I had high hopes for no rust until I saw the grass around the truck–lush green grass in Arizona? Not in the parts I’ve been in, but apparently I need to get around more! Bidding is starting at $2,500 but there is a reserve, doggone it. If you read through this post I have a question for you at the end with four choices; I’m looking forward to seeing which choice wins!
Thanks to the folks at Fordification.info we can see that the VIN in the ad decodes to a 1964 F250 with a 292 cubic inch, 2 barrel “medium duty” V8 (there was a 292 with a four barrel that was labeled “heavy duty”). It was produced in San Jose in March, 1964, which makes it one month older than I am. There’s a shallow dent/scrape in the rear lower right quarter panel but I really don’t see a lot of rust beyond the surface. As the entire content of the eBay text is “Original! Runs good, drives good”, we’ll have to draw some of our own conclusions. I’m guessing considering the visual location of the pictures and that the Jeep it’s next to looks like a working vehicle that we are looking at a true farm truck.
Nice to see a solid but well-used bed. If you wanted to improve the appearance a bit, and didn’t mind departing from originality, you could treat the surface rust and then use a spray-in bedliner to camouflage the dents. I realize that some of you would want to leave it exactly as it is, but I abhor rust of any form on a vehicle. It never sleeps, you know.
Here’s that 292, and given the small size of the carburetor I suspect it is that original two barrel. The one thing I think I’d look at updating under here (besides replacing that air filter!) is replacing the single brake master cylinder with a dual path one and corresponding lines for a little more safety. There’s a forum thread on doing just that here using later Ford truck components.
I’m curious as to what you folks would do with this truck. I see it as something still useful, and I would give up some of the mileage and convenience of a more modern truck to have such a classy looking vehicle. However, (option #1) I would put later model seats in it to make it more usable and paint it to protect it. On the other hand (option #2), I have a friend that has put a 1965 Ford truck on a late model Crown Victoria platform and created a truck with vintage looks but modern mechanicals and handling. And I’m sure some of you (option #3) would want to pretty much keep it as it is, just make it safe and drive it. Others still (option #4) would restore the truck to 100% original, or at least as much as practically possible. Even if you are a “lurker” and don’t normally comment on posts, please at least chime in with a number (1, 2, 3 or 4) and feel free to elaborate on your choice! I look forward to summarizing the results!
“I abhor rust of any form on a vehicle.” THANK YOU!!!! Finally someone I can agree with instead of all of these “It’s only original once-ers”
It comes from finding it WAY too often in my British cars… :-)
If I had it, option 3, with a bit of option 1 upgrading. But I dont need two work trucks and I prefer the one I have. So off it would go to someone who could use it.
3 for me. I have a 65 camper special I’m going to put a 6.9 into, and maybe later dually. I’d rather put 10k into one of these trucks than spend 50k on a modern plastic toy truck.
I would do #3 until I found a short wide F100 then do #2 to that one.
Steve R
Option 5 since you didn’t mention it, I’ll bring it up. Since I had this same truck in the 80’s I would complete what I didn’t finish. We put a 383 with 727 torqueflight in it (later updated to a built up 440) and then do the body and paint. Oh yea, modern seating of course.
Option # 3 with hints of #1…gotta stop (slow down) the rust.
I would do number 4 option. Then I would use it for towing antique vehicles.
Option #1, I’m cheap !!!
Parks is in a beautiful spot in northern AZ, between Flagstaff and Williams. As for a vote, probably #1 or #3 for me. I do hear of more and more people doing #2 though with great results.
I would say #3. These always remind me of the neighbor that had a ’66 F100 that had a 1970 440 cu. in. 727 torqueflight from a Roadrunner transplanted into it. It looked completely stock including the factory hub caps. I would say it was the fastest truck I was ever in.
I am also in the little bit of #1 and #3 camp. In particular:
1. Deal with rust and exposed metal. I would probably also take out any external facing dents. I would not be restoring it. I would, however, probably end up refurbishing it. Replace rubber seals around windows.
2. Freshen up interior – leave in the stock seat… just have it reupholstered. I would not restore it. Make sure everything works.
3. I would keep drivetrain and systems original for the most part. Make sure they run well, are safe, stay cool, doesn’t burn oil, hope it doesn’t leak (much), etc.
4. I agree with the braking system upgrade. Safety items – brakes, tires, lights, etc. – can venture away from original as long as they significantly enhance safety without being too far away from original.
#3-fix it up to be safe and reliable, then comfortable, then pretty. Enjoy and use it as soon as possible
i got one of these about 6 years ago off the guy who bid $400 for it back then. by that time, eBay had started encrypting bidders ID. it took me 2 weeks of sleuthing to finally make a connection with the buyer and he was located about 45 minutes away. i wanted THAT truck. was happy to pay him $1000 for it. ex-Stockton, CA school district truck, complete with door decals and NO options. love it. the most base model available. no silly chrome to deal with.
i vote for option 3
#4 here! The he!! w/ patina, restore it and enjoy it!
I drove a ’64 F-350 a lot on our farm. They are tough, reliable old trucks and are easy to drive. Clean it up and drive it. People CAN drive vehicles without power everything and A/C, contrary what seems to be the popular myth.
Number 3 for me. Spray clear on it to keep the look. Rebuild the engine and brake system and run it.
dang….it’s got all the factory big wheel caps !
Love to say 3 but I know u wouldn’t stop tinkering so an honest 1.
#1 or #3 if the seat is reusable, not sagging to one side.
I would do a #2 or #3….preferably set this body on a Ford F250 or F350 Diesel running gear….i found this honey in Glenwood Springs Colorado she’s been sitting for 20 plus years…at 8500 feet elevation …shes basically a field find….pretty cool story if you want me to submit….??? 1964 Ford F250 factory 4×4 w the 292 V8 and 4 speed