There is something cool about old work trucks. They might not be as flashy or as fast as a muscle car or an exotic, but that isn’t the point of a classic truck. Unlike a speciality vehicle, people didn’t tend to hide their truck away from the elements, rather it was the vehicle they used when things got ugly. If only these old trucks could tell us all the adventures they’ve been on and the crazy things they’ve seen! Take this 1952 Ford F2 out of Billings, Montana. It looks like it may have been a Forest Service truck and could have possibly even seen use in Yellowstone. Imagine all the things it’s seen and all the work it’s done over the years and yet it’s still complete and solid. You can have a closer look at it here on eBay as a no reserve auction!
As with most work trucks, this one has some bumps and bruises, but those blemishes are really badges of honor in my book. As you look it over you start to see the story of the life it possibly lived. The seller believes it was purchased new by the Forest Service and you can still see some of the signage they installed on it. The tailgate reads, “Prevent Forest Fires” under what appears to be a later coat of paint. Chances are a rancher in Montana purchased the truck second hand for almost nothing and decided to paint it themselves to hide the Forest Service branding. And then they put it back to work hauling fence posts, hay and various pieces of equipment. Well, at least that’s how I imagine things went.
The seller hasn’t attempted to start the trucks inline six, but they state that it turns over. If it still has compression, chances are all it will need is a tune-up to get it running. It’s hard to say how well it will run, but these overhead valve engines were quite robust, so it might have some life left in it. A V8 conversion would add some nice pep though and would make it more usable in modern traffic.
Inside the cab, things are about as you’d expect for an old truck. It’s simple and complete, but it’s going to need work. The seat has been recovered and while I love plaid, an OEM style seat cover would make it a nicer place to spend time. Hopefully, the seat frame is in usable condition, but I’m sure you’ll also need new seat foam to keep it from killing your back. Personally, I’d just clean the interior up, install new seat foam/upholstery, get all the gauges working and leave it alone. Overall, that’s primarily what I would do with the rest of this truck. I might swap in a V8 for more grunt and replace the bed wood, but I’d just focus on making it a driver!
Billings? Imagine that. My wife’s in Billings this week. I could easily have her drop in on it. Well, that would be wishful thinking. She’s a vendor at a fair so she wouldn’t have time. Besides, get my wife to go look at an old truck? Better luck winning the lottery. However, I like what I see. A 3/4 ton has a little bit better proportions than a full tonner; that shorter bed just blends in a little better. Trouble is, your chances of seeing a 3/4 ton are rare compared to a 1-ton. That six-banger definitely won’t move that truck very fast. A friend of mine has an F-4 with that 215 engine and you definitely use ALL the gears and could use some more. But then, come to think about it, the flathead V8 isn’t any better for power, just speed. You know, it’s interesting that when I open the hood of a 1/2 ton, I’m not all that surprised to see a six but when I open the hood of a larger truck, I expect to see a V8. I still remember when my friend got his F4; I opened the hood and fairly gaped at the six. Like, it just wasn’t right.
I was surprised to see an OHV 6. I dealt with several of these,and never recall seeing an OHV 6,,”New for ’52”,, I read. I wonder if the OHV was a tough sell then. Like I say, I never saw one, either it was the flathead 6 or the flathead V8. The Y block was a couple years away, I wonder if people, farmers mostly, were leery to try something new, I mean, the flattie always got them home.
An ohv six just doesn’t compute, does it? Opening the hood of a Ford ‘Shoebox’ car gives the same reaction. But 1952 was the first year for that six. It was made into a 223 in ‘54.
Same here. I sold one at an auction that had a flat head. All original . Parked since 1971 in a barn.
I was lucky to get the caddy beside it. :)). The old truck went for 1900 bucks.
Is it possible to have a truck like this relocated(shipped) to Edmonton Alberta
Relatively few problems other than the usual red tape, dave. I see lots of vehicles go through the customs in both directions every week. The Canadian customs have a website that explains all you have to do. I do know that you have to alert the US customs that you are taking a vehicle out of the country so they have to get involved too. Lots of government stuff no matter which side of the border you’re on…
Good advice ,,,,, also be very , very advisable to have a Customs Broker do the paperwork for you ,,,, it’l probably be the best $150.00 you;l spend on this project ,,there are on-going changes and regulations that can be tough to overcome at the border crossing ,, ask me how i know all this ,,,,,, good luck ,,,,,Jim P ,,in Ontario Canada