One of the slogans for Ford trucks that is bandied around is “Built Ford Tough.” While we can debate the relative merits of Ford trucks in comparison to other trucks like college football fans war over their respective teams, you have to admit there have been a lot of trucks with blue ovals on them that have stood the test of time. This particular truck long ago earned its keep on a farm that dates back to before the Revolutionary War. Do you have a garage and a heart big enough to bring a historic farm truck like this back to life? If so, this 1933 Ford Model BB truck for sale on Craigslist and at autoarcheologist.com and located in Meriden, Connecticut needs someone to return it to its former glory. This truck, which has spent all of its life on the same Northeastern farm, still runs and can be yours for $8,500. Thanks to T.J. for this seldom-seen farm find!
The story of the dairy farm that this truck worked on is an important component of this truck’s history. According to the seller, who maintains a classic car sales site called autoarcheologist.com, this truck put in decades of work on a farm in Connecticut that was homesteaded in 1760. This was the first powered piece of equipment that was purchased new by the family and was used extensively on their 100 acres of farmland. To put this in perspective, when new the truck hauled hay that was still being planted using a horse-drawn seeder. Last registered with the state in 1979, it was still used on the property up until the end of the eighties and may have even served longer than that. It has been sitting in a covered building since it was finally retired.
While the status of the farm is not mentioned in the ad, the seller was contacted by the great-grandson of the original purchaser of this truck in an attempt to sell it and a 1929 Ford Model AA with a dump body that is also on the property. In the time since this contact, the seller has got the truck running by adding a new battery, cleaning the points, supplying new fuel, and jumping the solenoid to get past the broken ignition switch. They were able to drive the truck around a bit but were prevented from further adventures by the condition of the ancient tires. It is believed that the truck has around 40,000 miles on it, all likely a few hundred yards at a time. It is impossible to tell for sure, as the numbers on the odometer have become illegible.
There was some confusion about what the exact year of this truck is. In 1932, Ford came out with a brand new truck, and customers could choose either a reliable four-cylinder that was a slightly evolved version of the Model A powerplant, or they could take a chance on the new, more powerful V-8 that debuted that year. The owner thought it was a 1932 model, likely due to the four-cylinder engine. However, others believed it was a 1933 model, and some research based on the engine number proved that it was built in January 1933. This Model BB one-ton truck also came with an extended frame to allow for a longer platform in the rear. Curiously, Ford kept the inline-four on the option list for many years. They have been seen in half-ton pickup trucks as late as 1937.
The seller describes this truck as one in “great original patina condition.” We are told that there is no rot in the frame and very little rust in the body. The most obvious areas with rust damage are the bottoms of the doors. Furthermore, the paint in the cab is in rough shape, the seat covers are rudimentary repairs from long ago, and the floorboards are gone. One has to assume that this truck was repaired as necessary on the farm with whatever materials or paint they had lying around. By the way the paint is flaking off, there is a good chance that someone coated the interior with house paint. Amazingly, the lights and horn still work! It also looks as if the mechanical brakes were never updated as they are in so many early Fords.
All and all, this is a nearly all-original truck in a size we rarely see today. With a little work, it could probably still haul a load of hay and earn its keep every day on a farm. Trucks of this size are easy to work on but hard for the average restorer to store. They are also slow as molasses thanks to the gearing needed to haul heavy loads with a small engine. Yet, they shine as occasional use vehicles and are fun to put to work occasionally. Hopefully, this truck finds a good home with someone who will still use it as a truck on occasion. It would surely be an Instagram sensation if it was spotted in a Home Depot parking lot on Saturday morning.
What would you do with this truck if it were yours? Do you think it should be restored, or just freshened up? Would you still put it to work? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
Something in my eyes, you know it happens everytime,,,Jeff, my friend, this old gals working days are over,,like me. This is an unbelievable find, and only bolsters what I’ve said along, probably the tip of the iceberg. There are still a lot of barns out there. The authors depiction of life then is spot on. One must remember, 1933 was the height of the depression, and this truck cost about $600 new. While practically a mere trip to the grocery store today, that was almost unheard of money then. Farmers were typically the lowest paid profession in America. Ironic, isn’t it? However, a truck like this was one of the pieces needed, and as shown, they usually only bought one. The farm I lived on in N.Wis. had a AA ( I think, maybe a BB) dump truck, that like this truck, was bought new by the farms grandfather. It sat in the back as long as I can remember. Several years back, the grandson had a “metal drive”, and the dump truck was scrapped. I never felt the same about that guy since.
Since this is so complete, be a shame to see it “modernized”. Hopefully, whoever gets this will keep it as such, as a reminder of the past, at least for another generation, or so. Another great find, and after the Astro post, I hope vintage trucks become more of a regular feature. Thanks, Jeff.
I 100 percent agree with Howard. Great find and write up Jeff. I had the same exact thought as Howard about the year of this truck and the fact that this was during the height of the great depression. I bet that farmer agonized and stressed over that purchase and can’t help but think that at least part of the reason this truck is so solid and so well preserved is because they truly appreciated that truck and wanted to protect their investment. If it were mine, I’d keep it in original mechanical cindition, even the mechanical brakes. I’d drive it ( rather slowly and annoying the 2 mile ling traffic line behind me lol) and take it to local places for fun and to give it exercise when its reasonably possible. I can’t get over how solid this truck is.
Another great find and write up to enjoy while drinking my coffee this morning. Thank you.
Dave
Beauty.
Incredible to see a truck like this, especially a farm truck with such good sheet metal! The flaking paint on the inside was common, I don’t think the inside was repainted. The color difference at the door frame is most likely that the whole truck was painted green (standard color) that would fade to a dusty blue. It also has the small hubs like a Model AA. 6.00 or 6.50x 20s though expensive are readily available and easy to change. The 4 cyl, though not near as powerful as the V8 is sure easier to work on. Early on in the Depression there was government money available to farmers which may account for this trucks purchases. Check the brakes, change the fluids, new floorboards and a new fuel tank on the frame instead of under the passengers seat and go. Just don’t be in a hurry, 45 is max!
John Walton, your truck is calling! A great find and worthy of an appreciative and useful spot at a farm or advertising location.
John Walton’s truck was a 1929 if I remember correctly. I have a 1933 157″ wheelbase V8 grain truck from Montana. Could almost be this old gals twin. What would I do if I have this one? Check and adjust the brakes, clean fuel system, new fan belt & hoses, and of course new 6:00×20 tires flaps and tubes. Then drive her. Mine has earned the name “Bashful”. You want to go to a show? Forget it, she will not run. You need to move something, no problem. I guess she is a Workhorse not a show Pony.
John Walton’s truck was a 1929 if I remember correctly. I have a 1933 157″ wheelbase V8 grain truck from Montana. Could almost be this old gals twin. What would I do if I have this one? Check and adjust the brakes, clean fuel system, new fan belt & hoses, and of course new 6:00×20 tires flaps and tubes. Then drive her. Mine has earned the name “Bashful”. You want to go to a show? Forget it, she will not run. You need to move something, no problem. I guess she is a Workhorse not a show Pony.
Great old tortoise. Thanks for the article too.
I think 45 for a worm drive rearend is optimistic. 35 mph is more realistic. Love to have it if I had a place to store it. Oh well.
Pretty sure worm drive ended with AAs. Last photo looks like split housing ring and pinion to me.
I would restore it enough to make it safe to drive then just enjoy having it for those hardware store trips
A sight for sore eyes! It’s interesting to see a truck of even this vintage without a V-8. The ’32 BB models didn’t have a V8 as an option but ’33 models did. There’s a couple of ’34s in my region but they’re both V8s.
Pretty hard to distinguish a ’33 from a ’34. From what I’ve seen it’s the hood side panels. The ’33 had a uniform setup while the ’34 had either a Ford oval or a V8 symbol in the bottom center. A ’33 V8 would’ve still been running the Detroit Lubricator single barrel carburetor while the ’34 would be running the Stromberg 48 2bbl. Of course there would be a good chance, as in the ones in my neighborhood, that they both had more modern flatheads.
Love to have a crack at something like this. Even though I work a lot with Binders these days, my heart will always be with early Fords…
If you know anyone looking, I’ve got a couple 1935 and 36 Binders to get rid of.
Hi Tim. There are some excellent pages on Facebook that are good for buying and selling Binders and parts. For your C-Series there’s a couple of pages that can help you…
As mentioned, this was not equipped with a worm drive rear end. I had a BB years ago, and the rear axle appeared to be a split-housing spiral bevel set up, Spicer style except for the torque tube. This seems to be the same set up. Perhaps it is actually a Spicer brand axle, but I never noticed the stylized “S” cast into the housing as I saw on other truck’s axles. I agree that this one deserves to remain unmolested and intact. Lubricate the brake components carefully, make sure the brake linings are in good condition, and the mechanical brakes will be adequate for anything that should be done with this truck. I’d prefer them to the single-circuit hydraulic brakes, some with primitive vacuum boosters, that others were using in that era. Mechanical brakes may not be the best in some ways, but a small hydraulic system failure can suddenly leave you with no service brakes at all — not my idea of fun. The 4 cylinder engine was more durable than the V8, because it didn’t usually sustain damage when overheated, whereas the V8’s were prone to overheating. This truck also appears to have the original Ford script stake rack body with the original stakes. I believe that these were the best OEM bodies on the market, and remained so well into the 1950’s. This truck is a gem! I hope it finds a loving home and is enjoyed well into the future, as-is.
Thanks for posting this Jeff! and to TJ for finding her. She’s listed here on the BarnFinds site as well, like every other car I sell for people. I support the BarnFinds guys with ads, paid membership, etc. They do a great job.
I’m representing this one as well as the AAA Model A listed yesterday.
I agree with everyone who said Keep Her like she is.
I helped get her up and running and I drove her around the property. Funny, with the tube tires, the outer tire carcasses are actually split and have small chunks missing, but hold air due to the tubes. I would NOT drive her on the road though with them as they are..LOL
Any questions, feel free to ask.
Thanks for all the great comments!
HMMMMMM that was the year I was brought to Ellis Islan by my Black Apache, Comanche mother, I wound up on a ranch in Leavenworth Kansas virtually. all the farmers had ford pickups and some Internationals for the big stuff, THis tuck would be well loved on our ranch in Colorado.
If I had a small farm and the ability to purchase, I’d keep it just as the first owner’s did, taking good care of it, and use it. That’s what it was meant to do and did it admirably for decades. No reason it couldn’t keep on going.
John Walton’s truck was a 1929 if I remember correctly. I have a 1933 157″ wheelbase V8 grain truck from Montana. Could almost be this old gals twin. What would I do if I have this one? Check and adjust the brakes, clean fuel system, new fan belt & hoses, and of course new 6:00×20 tires flaps and tubes. Then drive her. Mine has earned the name “Bashful”. You want to go to a show? Forget it, she will not run. You need to move something, no problem. I guess she is a Workhorse not a show Pony.