Purchasing a project candidate that runs and drives is tempting because it allows the owner to plan their strategies while experiencing immediate classic motoring enjoyment. That is the opportunity awaiting the successful bidder on this 1939 Ford ½-Ton Pickup. It is rough around the edges, but its generally solid nature and recent mechanical refurbishing means it could be an ideal candidate for a DIY approach or a project novice. The Ford is listed here on eBay in Bend, Oregon. The bidding currently sits below the reserve at $5,700.
Potential buyers can view this Ford as a stalled restoration project. The seller commenced work on its drivetrain components but hasn’t had time to lavish any care on its body. There are no obvious traces of its original paint shade, making it a blank canvas for the winning bidder’s chosen approach. A faithful refurbishment is possible, although it could easily serve as a ratrod or custom build. The panels have their share of minor dings and dents, but this is typical with vehicles of this type. None are severe, and addressing them without resorting to steel replacement seems viable. The seller states there is Bondo in the lower cowl and is unsure whether this might be hiding rust. If that proves the case, it would be one of the few issues because this old gem appears pretty rock-solid. The wheels were recently sandblasted and repainted, and the seller includes a set of original hubcaps for installation once polished. A new set of reproduction taillights was bolted on, with the electrical system upgraded to twelve volts for improved visibility and reliability. The trim looks acceptable for a driver-grade project, although some items would benefit from a trip to the platers if the winning bidder craves perfection. The glass is free from significant problems, and the seller includes a selection of parts to help give the buyer a flying start.
The Pickup’s interior is a mixed bag, with the painted surfaces wearing several shades of Blue. The Brown seatcover looks relatively new and has no signs of wear. The door trims are included, but they require refinishing. One of the attractions of these classics is that interior restorations are a piece of cake. An enthusiast with patience and moderate painting skills could dismantle it, refinish the painted surfaces, and bolt everything back together. Doing so and adding a vinyl floor mat would make this interior pop.
Lifting the hood reveals Ford’s venerable flathead V8, although this motor isn’t original. The seller indicates it is a later 8BA version, meaning it is a 239ci engine producing 100hp and 180 ft/lbs of torque. That power feeds to the road via a three-speed manual transmission, and while it won’t be the fastest classic on the planet, the engine upgrade should provide noticeable performance improvements. There’s a bit to unpack here, with the seller indicating the flathead received a rebuild while in the previous owner’s care. They hold no documentation confirming the scope of the build or the specifications. It runs well but suffers some slight blow-by. This may result from limited use since the refresh, so persevering to see if the situation improves would be worthwhile. The seller recently sank some money into the brakes. They received a new master cylinder and wheel cylinders, and the drums were machined. A new electric fuel pump was bolted on, the Stromberg Model 97 carburetor was rebuilt, and the Pickup rolls on new tires and tubes. The listing indicates potential buyers should consider it a turnkey proposition, although its age means further work will almost certainly be required.
The new owner faces a range of decisions with this 1939 Ford ½-Ton Pickup, and while some might be difficult, none would seem bad. The biggest will be determining how they will proceed with the build. It offers a range of options, meaning it should appeal to a variety of enthusiasts. It will be interesting to gauge your feedback and see how the majority vote. It will be fascinating to see whether any of you read that feedback and find a fresh idea that steers you toward submitting a bid. Don’t laugh at that thought because stranger things can happen in the classic world.
Well, a great find, got a snowballs chance in Hades of remaining like this. For many of us, this normally would have been a must have, simply because the ’38-’39 Ford trucks were some of the nicest styling. New cab and front end, V8s, juice brakes( on ’39), the ’38 Ford was quite a truck. When I was in NYS for a summer, the guy I stayed with went to a lot of auctions, and a pair of hood sides, with the “85hp” badge came up, that he bought. In hot temps, it was the practice to remove those sides for better cooling. Nobody was bidding on them, I think he paid $10 bucks for both sides. Many got lost, and I bet he could double his money( cough).
While I do believe this truck is more useful than say a 1919 motorcycle, sorry folks, won’t happen. How many ’38 pickups do you see today on ANY roads? None, it’s only salvation will be a resto-mod, mostly for its sheer unusual style, and that’s okay too. That’s how I see it, anyway.
too far away for me (South Carolina) but would love to do vintage hot rod on the motor (cam, heads, multi-carb), mate it to an S10 five-speed and drive the snot out of it!!!
It runs and drives fly out and drive it home what a story you would have to tell..
Lots of vintage speeds parts available for that flat head and nothing like the sound of a performance flattie. Body, paint maybe some flames new wood in the bed modern wheels(chrome reverse and baby moons?) and tires and roll and tuck interior and it would be a perfect rod IMO
On board with the above. The good condition does make a difference whichever way you go with this one.
If you haven’t owned or driven an old truck you’ve missed some fun. My ’34 was not only my basic transportation but a lot of fun to drive.
If I were in the market I would buy this, finish the interior and put a nice paint job on it and drive it alot.
One year early. Or two years late.
The ’40 is drop dead gorgeous.
The ’37s are adorable.
In the eye of this beholder.
Checkout south Dakota barn finds and ect. on Facebook it’s my group I made
Why not enjoy this truck for what it is. I would make sure ALL the mechanical’s are 100% up to snuff, with non showing upgrades, if needed or desired. All stock appearance, try to paint it, it’s original color. Not a Concours/DeElagonce finish, a little Orange Peel would be just fine. Complete the interior. In the Northeast Rust Belt , where I am, I’d probably take it off the road just before the first sand and salt gets put down, cya next spring. Yes an everyday driver for me and every place you stop, for whatever, people will not leave you alone. They’ll want to know about it, Priceless!
So how do I buy this?????
Click the ” here on eBay” link in the first paragraph and make the winning bid. As of right now, there are less than 10 hours of bidding. You might want to get the seller’s info so if it goes RNM, you can contact them.
Just maintain and drive it. Sit back and let everyone tell you what you should do with it…….mandatory to have something old and rust in the back at all times.
Just maintain and drive it. Sit back and let everyone tell you what you should do with it…….mandatory to have something old and rusty in the back at all times.
I have wanted this style of Ford truck forever. It looks like maybe a paint job but it doesn’t look or sound like any major issues.Even better just a hundred and fifty miles away. Two MINOR problems no green and no place to put it much less work on it. MINOR DETAILS ALWAYS GET IN THE WAY.
The seller did some smart upgrades, like the 239 V8 and brakes and carb. Buyer will be that much farther to being on the road again. Not really roadworthy for highway driving, but they’re are plenty of surface streets to get you to Ace Hardware, Home Depot and Lowes.
just completed some bits’n bobs on a customer’s cheb of this era. Altho a ford guy I dont think I’d have this one. After all the pre, post WWII era P/Us Dimond T Reo is only one I’d have, enjoy wrenchin. Sure, ok, the Hudson (series 98 & 58) Super 6 (‘big boy’), the Cameo…
I love old trucks, had one myself. I think with this one I’d do some flathead performance mods, add a 5 speed, probably IFS and then work on the interior and body over time as I drove it.
One day I stopped to visit my friend, an old school body shop. He was sitting on a bucket with the torch in one hand and a wet rag in the other, patiently heating metal around “dings” on the body. When properly heated the rag soaked with cool water was quickly applied. With a twinkle in his eye he told me this was not common practice in today’s world but old school reserved for special vehicles…..enough said about those “dings”..
This specimen deserves old school approach.
39?
The seller also upgraded to a 12V system, and brakes have been rebuilt and that’s a pretty major upgrade as well. Amazing that an 84 year old truck like this is in driver condition. Someones going to have alot of fun with this truck after they buy it.
This P U could be one that was owned by my uncle in Klamath Falls. Everyone in the family wanted the truck. It ended up going to a stranger, to stop the squabbling. This was back in the early 60’s. Always loved the style. I had a 1040 Chevy truck back then that I bought for $95.00. We hunted a lot of deer, pheasants and porcupines out of both those old trucks.
Just finished RNM at $8800
I think someone featured this because they knew I’ve wanted one of these (well, a ‘38 anyways) for most of my life. Always wanted one that was Washington Blue with Tacoma White wheels. The older I get the less the reality of ever owning one.
That said, if it were to show up at my place it would get the driver quality restoration and then be enjoyed like the classic it is. I don’t care for “upgrading” the electrics to 12V when the 6V worked fine. There is one part of this 6V system that would be difficult to come by and that’s the period-correct generator. 1939 was the first year for a 2-brush generator and regulator, which would seem common but ‘39 was also the last year Ford mounted the fan on the generator.
Well, I sure hope this truck goes to a good home. It deserves to be treated to something good besides a resto-rod.
I’m working on one 6 volt system car and I’m finding previous owner has repaired/replaced most wires from cowl forward. From cabin back, not so much. I’m fine with leaving it a 6 volt system because it’s working well except brake light. This guy with this 39 truck was probably dealing with needing to completely rewire it anyway and decided to convert to a 12v system. Rebuilding a 6 volt starter and generator is the worse thing I may have to do, down the road. It’s pricey and all local rebuilders here are long gone. And your not going to find a 6v replacement of either at Napa.
There’s really nothing to rebuilding a 6V starter or generator. IMO they’re no different than working on a 12V starter or alternator. Back in my day, if one of those components ceased to function, we removed it and fixed whatever was ailing and reinstalled it; there was none of this trash that showed up from some offshore country where the locals couldn’t begin to pronouce the name of the car the components would ‘possibly’ fit. Converting to 12V is only necessary if you need to power up some 12V accessory like a phone charger or if you decide to run A-C. It’s true that some rebuilders have gone by the wayside but you would be very surprised to find a lot of them still in business. I was talking to a customer in the Colorado Springs area and found no less than (3) shops within easy driving distance of his home 40. The bottom line here is if you want to change to 12V, change it to 12V. Do NOT go halfway and try 8V…
Electrical wiring is my least favorite thing to do working on older cars, and this is 6v is only second one I’ve had. I wouldn’t want to try rebuilding a starter or generator, and the parts needed are just as hard to find. There a a few rebuilding services I’ve found online and they are pricey for sure. As long as this 48 Chrysler I’ve got that’s a 6 volt runs and works this well, I’m leaving well enough alone.