UPDATE 02/26/2024: Considering all the possibilities can be wise when contemplating a classic purchase. It might mean missing out on the first vehicle that comes along, but it could also open the possibility of a better deal. Such is the case with this 1949 Ford F1 Pickup. This is the second time we’ve seen it in a month. If you were genuinely interested last time but felt that you missed the opportunity, this is your chance to right that wrong. The details for this beauty remain the same, with the seller listing it for a second time here on Craigslist. However, those seeking a bargain will be tempted because the seller has slashed the price from $18,500 to $15,500 OBO. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Gunter K for spotting this potential bargain and T.J. for the original lead.
01/25/2024: There is a fear amongst enthusiasts that the supply of excellent barn finds will eventually be exhausted. However, if this 1949 Ford F1 Pickup is an accurate guide, that is unlikely to happen soon. It recently emerged after over four decades of hibernating in a Nebraska barn and has been returned to a roadworthy state. Its mechanical health is so good that the seller suggests the new owner could slip behind the wheel and drive it home. They have listed the F1 here on Craigslist in beautiful Longmont, Colorado.
The American economy was on a high following the end of World War II, and buyers were eager to spend cash on new vehicles of all types. Ford listened to the buying public, launching the First Generation of its F-Series commercial models in 1948. It marked a philosophical shift for the company, with vehicles of this type now featuring different chassis and underpinnings from its passenger car range. This Generation remained on sale until 1952, with our feature F1 rolling off the line in 1949. It recently emerged from forty years of slumber, and while there are few traces of its original Birch Gray paint, it is surprisingly solid. Although most of the exterior surfaces have accumulated the type of surface corrosion typically associated with dry climates, there is no significant penetrating rust. The seller admits some areas might warrant attention, but prone areas like the lower cab corners and cowl look remarkably clean and solid. The panels sport minor dings and dents, but as with the rust, they are surprisingly good for a vehicle of this type and age. The winning bidder will have a shopping list to fill because the tailgate, rear bumper, hubcaps, and some trim pieces are missing. The glass looks pretty respectable, and while a cosmetic restoration would seem the logical choice, some might find the idea of applying a clear coat to protect the Pickup’s inherent character irresistible.
One characteristic that separated the First Generation F-Series from those that followed was that power was exclusively supplied by a range of flathead engines. This F1 features a 239ci V8 that sends its power to the rear wheels via a manual transmission. An optional four-speed was available, but with most buyers settling on the three-speed, that might be what the buyer will find in this classic. Four decades of inactivity means the seller faced a long list of tasks as they returned the vehicle to a roadworthy state. The engine was rebuilt, and the original radiator received a new core. The brake system features a range of new components, including a master cylinder, lines, hoses, and shoes. The original generator was rebuilt, and a new water pump was fitted. The result was worth the cost and effort, with this F1 a turnkey proposition that runs and drives exceptionally well. Longmont is a beautiful area, making flying in and driving this classic home after a relaxing vacation an attractive option.
Some readers will probably consider this Pickup’s interior a work in progress. The seller fitted a new cover to the original seat, and there is a new radio grille that isn’t installed in the supplied photos. Otherwise, its appearance is as it would have been when it rolled out of the barn. It is undeniably serviceable, but it would benefit from some attention. I have my view on the most appropriate approach, and your vision may differ from mine. I would refresh the painted surfaces, treat the surface corrosion on the floor to prevent deterioration, and install a new rubber mat. Sourcing a correct radio or blanking plate by scouring the usual online auction sites would be worthwhile. The final piece of the puzzle would be to spend around $50 on a gauge restoration kit and another $50 on a new lens. With those items installed and the painted surfaces returned to an as-new state, the spotless interior would provide a stunning contrast to the aged exterior.
One of the greatest attributes of the classic world is the diversity of opinions. Some readers will see this 1949 Ford F1 Pickup as a prime candidate for restoration, while others might view it as the ideal foundation for a ratrod or custom build. A further group may agree with my vision, choosing preservation so the Pickup continues wearing its survivor label proudly. It has survived for seventy-five years in its current form, and there is no reason why it couldn’t ply our roads largely untouched for another seventy-five if treated respectfully. One undeniable truth is that there are no right or wrong answers. There are only enthusiasts with the money, passion, and drive to transform a dream into reality. Are you that person?
Love the fat fendered cars and trucks. Wouldn’t do anything to the drive train but would paint it and upgrade the suspension to make a mild restomod that can be driven anywhere in comfort. Future fun here.
I would do exactly the same. This old girl never looked like that when new. She deserves a fresh coat of paint. Put some Hank Williams, Glenn Miller or Andrews Sisters on the stereo, then cruise in style!
How about the theme to Sanford & Son?
Sanford and Sonny sounds good! My name is Sonny from Boston
I agree with you there. My Dad had a nice 49 with a ‘flattie’. Deep red with black fenders and running boards. Way cool. Wish I would’ve bought it from him and kept it. Oh well…
My dad bought a new 1949 Ford F-1 the year I was born. Bright red. He loved it. He told me it was one of the best trucks he ever owned. I have pictures of daddy sitting me on hood to take pictures of this son and wife.
Jeez, air up those tires…do they still have tubes?..and where’s the tailgate?
Patina fun it is! Be nice on a large ranch. Not sure it is license-able.
“Uh, your speedometer appears to be missing Sir”
Actually, the speedometer appears to be there
I agree with the commentator , but asides the radio delete blank and refreshing the gauges , my vision would include A/C .
Awwwwww, whats not to love…….
The price?
The article says $18,500.
Thanks Paul, apparently you don’t recognize my sarcasm. I wouldn’t pay that if it had $15 grand in gold in the box.
For those of us who own old Ford trucks, best advice to all is research parts prices before you buy anything.. and if your gonna take somewhere to have the work done.. research that also, cause it’s 2024 and if you have not restored anything lately your gonna be in a world of hurt..Ford re-engineered every 6 months so lots of parts are not being re-popped and if they are or if someone has one they wants a kings ransom. I have a few Ford trucks best way to buy them is to find one done .. the way you want it and pay for it.. unless your a builder.
This reminds me of the truck my cousin and I used to chase jack rabbits in Texas in 1951-1952. Took out a few fence posts and put a few dents in the front fenders. We were 11-12 years old then. Great fun.
18.5K?? I’d expect a tailgate and all the missing trim to have been replaced along with a refresh of the interior, not to mention properly inflated NEW tires and then wouldn’t offer more than 14K. Not a single full front photo but several with underinflated, age unknown tires!
If you like it, you should offer the 14, if you re-read the ad, the seller cut the asking price to 15,500
If you re-read my comment I’d consider 14K if he fixed several issues, none of which he has.
Remember those trucks well. I learned to drive on my uncle’s ’49, green with black fenders, at the age of eleven. His had a four speed, non syncro, no fun to drive. They came in red, green, grey, blue, all with black fenders…… that’s how it was done in Canada.
Presently, there is a red one down the road from me, under cover.
Nice old Sanford and son truck, I think $18k is a bit rich but it also says or best offer. If I had it I would get a tailgate and just enjoy it as is thinking about what color to paint it a few years down the road.
My Grandpa owned a 49′ Ford F5 Stake Bed, that I wanted at 16 years of age (44 years ago, now). It was in rough shape after years of work, on the farm. He bought it new, in 49′.
Actually Sanford &Son’s was a 1952. Different grill than this one.
Had one just like it when I was in high school wish I still had it
Hey dose anybody know where I can buy a good used tailgate for a 1952 merc M3 without a hole cut in the center of it
Dan
That’s a tough one. Obviously there’s checking ebay non stop, but the best bet would be Canadian sites like Kijiji, but then how do you do a secure transaction and they would have to ship it. Facebook Mercury truck groups or other random forums?
A real beauty. Hard to find one in this condition they usually are full of rust where I come from. $18,500 may be a bit steep to some that are out of touch and have no real sense of comparison. I’d clean up the inside, throw some new skins on and drive it.
239 had 2 water pumps.
The seller is a very humorous individual.
I’m a fan of “patina”/whatever you want to call it, WHEN it looks neat and is subtle. It’s subjective, but what some people consider to be cool patina or even a selling point has gone too far. This truck is beyond just patina, it’s completely covered in solid surface rust and looks gross. They state it was in a barn for 40 years? Was there a roof and walls on it? I would’ve guessed that it’s been outside in Arizona baking for 40 years. The fact that this needs to be painted completely negates their price.
There’s been a Meadow Green ’49 F3 for sale near me since mid summer. I never looked at it, but appeared very original with light patina that consisted of faded paint and a few minor rust spots. Has original 6 and stick. Very original looking, presentable survivor. They just pulled the ad for the winter and said they may relist in the spring. They were asking 15. I’m thinking if I could get it for 13 (if everything checked out) or so I should grab it. Yes, it would be unsafe today and would never keep up with the jellybeans, but I don’t care. I don’t want to keep up. Maybe I’d just look at it in the driveway; one of the best styled pickups ever in my opinion.
And your point being?
Whoops, that was meant for the comment concerning 2 water pumps
Brings back a lot of memories. My grandpa bought a yellow ’49 new. He used to do all the maintenance himself and I ‘helped’ occasionally. I wanted my grandma to keep it for me until I started driving in a couple of years but she sold it for $100 😢
Same thing happened to me. My great Uncle Bill had a ’54 F100 that I wanted. He said I didn’t really want it and sold it to somebody else. :(
Keep on slashing !
Asking too much $$$$ for it…the “origional” crowd knows this…the resto-mod crowd has no money bounds…thats the issue…
Its worth what someone will pay for it.
It was 1965 and my father gave me, as a sophomore in high school, the family livestock hauler for our small ranch in northern Idaho. It was a 1950 ½ ton flat-bed V8 Ford. I immediately took the stock racks off, installed dual exhaust stacks on each side of the cab and painted it a new color (and word) I had just learned – magenta. I knew the girls couldn’t resist such cool. I also cut Christmas trees on our ranch, which was mostly forest, and hauled them across the border to Libby, Montana. I had a small trailer on the back of the truck. There was a stretch of old Highway 2 between Troy and Libby along the Kootenai River that I could dial in a radio station that would fade in and out. “6 Days on the Road” by Dave Dudley would come on and I would crank it up as much as I could before the speaker gave up. The song, the V8 sound out of the stacks, a load of trees going down an empty highway, and the prospect of date money that I earned myself was a memory that I will never forget. My best vehicle ever.
Can still hear the starter, in my head, when a flathead starts. A sound like no other.
Real patina!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Almost every surface of this is covered in surface rust. It’s subjective, but I always thought of patina as being older worn paint, where in a few areas it’s even been worn through to the primer or created a bit of light haze of surface rust, creating an interesting aesthetic. It’s still presentable and just shows it’s age and history.
Again, subjective, but I feel like the patina thing has gone too far and the lines have been blurred. To me, this looks like brown you know what. I’m surprised someone hasn’t clear coated it to make shiny you know what. To each their own.