Time for another trip in the Wayback Machine. Last week, we took a look at this 1946 International Metro, a one-time, found everywhere commercial vehicle. Today, it’s a 1952 Ford F1 panel truck, that like the Metro was once found in so many trades and delivery capacities. This example is advertised as a barn find and appears to have both its qualities and detractions – let’s see what’s really here. This Ford F1 is located in Lakeland, Minnesota and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $3,500 with zero bids tendered as of this writing.

The body of this truck is a bit of a mixed bag – there are dents, surface rust, a missing running board, and slightly stoved in rear doors. Paint? Nope, replaced by patina, and not sprayed on, posed patina but the real thing that only time and exposure can create. The seller describes this F1 as, “nice real solid truck with nice floors and body.” The seller adds that he has an “extra set of running boards In really nice shape” but the ones in the image don’t look so hot. The external highlight is probably the grille, while it is finished off in a rust hue, it is complete and not dented, a notable achievement considering how often the grille is the first thing that gets tagged.

For power, this F1 is sporting a 106 HP, 239 CI flathead V8. Considering how rapidly automotive technology changed in the post-war years, it’s amazing, that twenty-one years on, Ford was still employing this old flathead engine. Of course, it was a solid design, very impressive for 1932, and it did undergo improvements over the years. The seller states that the engine starts and does not smoke but he has no history around its past. I’m no flathead expert but the engine appears to be in original condition short of what looks like an improvised fuel line/filter. Gear changing is accomplished via a three-speed manual transmission.

The interior of this F1 is a blank canvas, probably a little too blank as it doesn’t appear to have a driver’s seat. The floors, both the steel passenger compartment floor and wooden cargo deck are in sound shape. The instrument panel is fifties truck simple with a minimalist gauge set that appears to be partially clouded. Add-on turn signals look to have been tacked on but that’s the only nod to modernity beyond standard 1952 fare. The cargo area doesn’t give an indication as to what this Ford’s prior purpose was all about; there are some horizontal wood strips in place but they could have participated in innumerable hauling solutions. What really matters, is what one thinks they can do with this Ford moving forward. Whatever the plan, a new windshield needs to be in the mix.

I have probably seen more International Metro vans in recent years than I have spied Ford F1 panel vans and I haven’t seen a Metro in a long time. The options as to what one can do with an old truck like this Ford are unlimited. This example has a nice draw because of its flathead engine but old trucks, be it a Metro or an F1, and their original driving characteristics aren’t desirable today for anything more than a trip around the block. A custom or altered makeover would seem to be suitable for this truck but there are many options available. What would you recommend?