This 1940 Ford pickup is not what it seems at first glance. The photo above is a before shot. The current truck has been stripped, body work done and primed. It can be found here on eBay with an asking price of $12,000. The truck also comes with a vintage auto crane. The new owner can turn this cool truck into a vintage tow truck!
The crane is a Weaver 3-Ton Auto Crane and was manufactured in Springfield, Illinois. I suppose if the buyer doesn’t want to convert the pickup into a vintage wrecker, they could sell the crane and recoup some of the purchase price. If you would like to read more about Weaver and see some neat vintage brochures, you can find more here on CastleEquipment.com.
The seller states that “cab, frame, front fenders, hood, doors have all been sandblasted, primed with PPG epoxy primer. All rot was removed prior to blasting.” Along with the body, the chassis has been started as well. The brakes have been upgraded to discs. The rear axle is a Ford 9″ with 3.90 gears. So would you convert this project into a tow truck?
It’s a cool project, but be careful of the “Tow truck” part of it. I met a guy buying parts who got tired of tow dollies and found a one ton truck, put together a wrecker body he found cheap and had a decent tow truck. Nice rig.
He wasn’t real bad with the price of the R/T (Repair/Towing) license plates, but when his insurance company saw it they priced it like he was going to be a full time towing business. He had to sell it because he couldn’t afford to insure it.
If you can get Classic, Antique, or Hot Rod license plates you can get by the expensive plates, but be REALLY sure to check with your insurance company to see what they think. The insurance bill can go from $150 to $2500/year.
My cousin had a 43 MB Jeep (I inherited the . . . . thing). Some insurance companies looked at the hood scoop, 36″ tires, roll bar, 4 point harnesses, and
said “No way, go away.” State Farm said, “No problem, $175/year.” Don’t assume anything with those people.
& each insur. co is different. I’d stay away frm the specialty insurers (nat 1s for antiques) as price/policy or ‘value’ is not very good if U tow 3 – 4 a yr.
Also
look to state regs (some states U need alot others not) for towing for hire (again differences between a ‘real co’ and less than PT).
NO! Don’t make it a Tow Truck…I’ve been with State Farm forever for all my insurance needs. They’re hit and miss on older vehicles. The important aspect of insuring an older vehicle, a restored vehicle and/or one that has been modified is that you be clear about what you are insuring. Otherwise, upon a claim, the insurer will discover what you insured.
If I bought it I would go the tow truck route with a catchy name let’s say a old route 66 station theme, here in Missouri you can use year of manufacture plates for cars & trucks then I would use Hagerty insurance with the agreed value plan. I would not use State Farm or American Family as they don’t use the agreed value so they pay what book says, at least that’s what they told me on our 70 Mustang Mach1. JMHO
In Arizona State Farm does write collector cars on agreed value, just like Hagerty but at about half the cost. In the event of a total loss, the settlement and payout is identical. I think Hagerty is more experienced with repairing classics though. My collection is split with some cars with each.
Camel Towing.
I like how you think.
Never too old to think like a guy…..
No. Just… no.
Most people fix the rot after sandblasting.
Cool truck
Lots of coin spent on this, but myself I think I would like to have it before it was dismantled. Still, seems like a decent deal for all the money he spent, says he will look for offers. My $.020 worth. Cool project.
Good luck to the new owner.