One of the best vehicles to consider when entering the classic automobile space is a vintage truck. Robust, simple, and easy (and cheap) to work on, trucks are a smart way to start your classic car collection. Up for sale here on Craigslist is a prime example of one of these- a 1950 Ford F1. Outfitted with a Ford flathead V-8 and a few choice upgrades, this would be an excellent buy for a newbie or someone looking to add a trusty steed to their collection. This truck is currently priced at $14,950 and is located in the state of Washington. Thank you to Curvette for sending in this tip!
Despite whatever brand allegiance you may hold, there is no denying that the F-series by Ford has set a precedent that many other manufacturers have tried to reach. Starting in 1948, Ford has produced over 40 million F-series trucks. As a result, these trucks have become ubiquitous in our society. So ubiquitous in fact, that many people use these vehicles as their daily driver/family car. And when you experience how handy these trucks can be, you can definitely see why so many are sold.
Ford’s first F-Series was introduced in 1948 and continued through 1952. These 1st gens don’t seem to receive as much love as a lot of the other vintage F-series trucks, which is a shame. This 1950 model appears to be a solid example of the first-gen F-series. The whitewall tires pop off the baby blue paint, and the painted steelies with chrome beauty rings strike a classic period look. Under the hood is a stock 239 cubic inch flathead with a single carburetor, and it is outfitted with a manual floor-shifted 3-speed. The truck has been upgraded to 12 volts, which is a great upgrade for these old rigs and makes them more reliable.
I mentioned in the first paragraph that old trucks make great entry vehicles into this hobby. The main reason for this is that you can take these trucks in so many different directions. Keep it stock and take the grandkids to get ice cream or up to Home Depot to get some mulch. Drop in a big block, slam it, and turn it into a street brawler. Or slather it in some kustom hue and turn it into a ’60s era shop truck (don’t forget the white angel hair interior). Regardless of whichever route you take, these trucks remain a good value and can always be put back to work.
I had a 1951 Ford F1 in Sheridan Blue, I liked the color and it seemed like a popular color for Ford pickups in those years. The baby blue color of the featured truck just doesn’t do it for me.
Times up. Andys pickup truck seen in the early Andy Griffith episode “The New Housekeeper” where Aunt Bee makes her 1st appearance, was a new looking late 40s Ford F1. It was never seen in the series again. And no, it wasn’t Wallys service truck either, that was a ’56 F-100. This here sure is a sweetheart. Andy would approve.
I think the current housekeeper got married and Aunt Bee arrives to hold down the fort. I don’t remember the F1, which is irksome because I usually remember that sort of thing. Like they say, memory is the second thing to go!
I remember that , Howard . I really liked that truck and it was probably one of my first exposures to that vintage . Thanks for the memory !
The truck shown in that episode was a 42-47 Ford pickup. It’s appeared in a few others in the background. It showed again where it ran into the fruit stand where Barney took over as temporary sherif. Noticed it a lot because I own a 46 Ford pickup and wished mine looked like that. As you can tell I like Andys show and old Ford trucks, lol.
I hurt my eyes looking at that truck.
Not much money for entry to the hobby and looks turnkey.
I like it just the way it is. Buy it and drive it.
Right truck, right price, drive and have fun! (but baby blue?)
Those “12 volt is better than 6 volt” arguments drive me nuts! Amps are what counts when it comes to lighting or cranking and Ohm’s law indicates that with lower voltage, more amps are required to do the job, hence, thicker– i.e.; more expensive and heavier– wire is required.
Yes, a 12 v. battery is (marginally) more expensive to build than a 6 v. one but overall cost and weight savings is what drove the shift to 12 v. The average customer will willingly pay for “flash ‘n dash” ’cause they are on exhibit for all the world to see what great taste he/she has. But, pay for heavier copper wire? “No thanks.”
Oh, and nice truck… despite the non-period fat wheels.
Yeah, I know, picky, picky, picky.
Amps do the work. I get it. But when was the last time you saw a 6 volt alternator? Even 30 amp generators are/were scarce. (On automobile applicatipns) Most didn’t put out more than 25 amps. And that was at full song. Virtually nothing at idle. I wish I had a nickel for every generator brush I replaced and comutator that I turned (and undercut) in the shop at the NAPA store I worked at in high school. I did some alternators also. But in 1968 through 1971 the bulk of the “electrical” repairs were still generators.
Wayne, thanks for the validation on the amps/volts bit. And, you’re right about all the rest of it; I know ’cause I was in my 20s when Chrysler did that “take out the battery and drive on the alternator” stunt back in the day. Yes, alternators are superior in nearly every way. My point is that doing a conversion on “old crates” like this ’50 F-1 is gilding the lily, so to speak. Its electrical requirements were so elemental that the gen was more than up to the job.
Oh, and I remember clearly the commutator turnings and the “undercutting” done with the little cutter.
Yeah, I’m older’n dirt and, in many ways, glad that my time is ticking down to the dirt nap.
I had a 53 F-100 panel delivery truck for about 30 years until I sold it in 2019 for the more comfortable 66 F-100 pickup. The panel truck was my everyday vehicle in 1989. After I backed into my second vehicle though I bought a car with more visibility and used it on the weekends mostly.
You are correct about 6 volts requiring thicker wire. I kept the earlier truck original in that respect with the flat V-8, but updated to a 2-carb manifold, headers and dual exhaust and a Mallory dual point distributor. An important and free thing to remember with 6 volts and also 12 volts is to clean all grounds, sometimes adding wires for additional grounds too. I kept the generator but there are also 6-volt alternators available now.
Another Western gem. Very nice and a fun entry into the car collector hobby. I’d be inclined to eventually change the tires and wheels to the original stock configuration but that would be it. GLWTS.
My uncle had a ’49 or ’50 F1 panel truck. I remember it as a no-frills workhorse.
I’m an old truck junkie. I got my first old truck in 1971, a 47 Ford, and have been hooked ever since. I’ve had a dozen since then and enjoyed them all. I don’t seem to keep any one very long because I see another one that I want. I have found out that it’s cheaper and more enjoyable to buy a nice running and driving truck than to buy one that needs restoration. I think this truck would be an excellent way to get into the collector vehicle hobby at a very reasonable, relatively speaking, price. You could be driving and enjoying it while you add chrome bumpers and original style hub caps (which it needs IMO). I hope the buyer has an understanding wife as he might be starting a new addiction, and I wish him well.
I like the “baby blue” because it’s different and the “add on oil filter. I would upgrade the brakes as it is hard for me to adjust my driving style.
The early Ford P/U in the 1st episode of “The Andy Griffith Show” was in the last scenes where Aunt Bea was about to go back home because Opie didn’t want her to take care of him. Of course, Opie changed his mind, and she stayed.
Also remember “Sanford and Son” which used one of these trucks, a 50 Ford F-1 if I remember correctly? As a member of both ATHS and ATCA I find the owners and spectators at truck shows to be much more friendly. No nit picking about little stuff, and snotty attitudes, especially in terms of safety and roadworthyness. (is that a word?) .. From cars and coffee to local shows to National shows this truck would be very welcome anywhere in the antique / historical truck hobby.
Hey, I’m here at the truck show today at Sayre’s in Conshocken PA this morning, ATCA event. Lots of big and little trucks of all varieties. Nice warm day. Food too.
I have a 48′ F-1 that I’ve had for 40+ years and my sister and brother are already duking it out over who gets it when I croak. I don’t like the color of the featured truck much, but if I could afford it, I’d be all over it ! And right here in Washington too. And a flathead V-8 ! Get it ! you won’t be sorry . . .