I am going to write this whole article without mentioning the “P” word, though that descriptor is certainly applicable in this case. Listed here on eBay is a 1955 Ford F-100 panel truck, looking for a starting bid of $8500. The seller indicates that other than the seats, the truck is completely original, right down to its six-volt electrical system. It hails from Nebraska but is now located in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. After a long list of maintenance work was performed, it’s ready for a leisurely drive to its new home.
The Ford F-series is a legend. No other vehicle comes close to it in total sales since the first of its breed rolled out of Detroit in 1948, then called the Bonus-Built. This ’55 belongs to the “Triple Economy” second generation. By now that in-line six-cylinder displaced 223 cu. in, making 115 hp. The Y-block V8 had appeared by 1954; if your truck was equipped with a Y-block, that niche in the front grille would contain a “V8” emblem. This truck has a column-shift manual gearbox, but the new Ford-O-Matic also attracted many buyers who appreciated its convenience. The seller has replaced the starter, generator, exhaust, brakes including the lines, and the springs. The underside is dry and clean, defying its age.
The seating has been modernized, but the seller has one original seat. The gauges, lights, heater, and wipers all work. The seals around the glass are mostly new. The headliner and kick panels are also new. The seller notes that the driver’s side door glass has a small crack. The rubber mats on the floor are new, and I doubt I’ve seen such clean floors on a vintage vehicle – ever. In fact, throughout the catalog of photos in the listing, I can’t find any serious rust.
Ford made a version of the panel truck in 1928, but even before that, canvas-sided trucks were used in WWI. Evolving through labels from “huckster” to “sedan delivery” to simply “van”, the idea was to cater to commercial cargo. This one is roomy behind those double doors – perhaps awaiting a camper makeover? If you hanker for an early Ford panel truck, you’ll be hard-pressed to find one for sale. I found this “custom” advertised at $63k, with a 400 cu. in. V8 swap – not even in the same ballpark. Does anyone have an idea what this example is worth?
Well, that “clean floor” is the result of some welded sheet metal, filler and fresh paint. Not that it isn’t a nice truck and, in my opinion, too near original to hot rod. I also wouldn’t strive for a 100-point restoration either. Just make it a respectable looking and running driver/ trucks and coffee panel. But make it nice enough so that your brother in-law won’t ask you to help him move.
Agree with you but after looking a that big almost empty engine compartment I’d be hard pressed not to put a V8 in it. These are my favorite “fat fendered” trucks.
Needs some faded writing on the sides, otherwise pretty nice
Noooo, that creates the impression that the owner is desperate for attention. Manufactured patina rarely turns out convincing, better to leave it as is. That’s a problem with fake gassers and a lot of cars going for a retro theme, they owners tend to take short cuts and start using modern parts in obvious places.
Steve R
band van!!!
Michelle’s right in that this would make an excellent camper. I’m just shy of 68 & retired 4 years ago come Good Friday. Always been a Ford man. A 2021 Mustang was retirement present to myself (no wife) & adorns my driveway. I could go to a lot of state parks not only here in Georgia but neighboring states as well…with my 🐶.
Potential is there. Not like the wishful totally rusted rotted out vehicles that have garnered valued spotlight attention. Happy to see the writers selecting better choice vehicles.
JacknNWPA, I have built a 1/2 dozen of these F-100’s and I have never seen them patched in floor that looked this good. I have seen some very rust free trucks and this one is as good as it gets.
Gems like this give me hope. Keep them coming.
You won’t see yourself coming and going in this rig. That’s for sure. Gotta love this truck, 6 banger and all.
Very well kept, something you could drive while on the road to a driver-quality restoration. I would probably keep everything but the seats. I’d rather have the proper panel application seats and use them instead of those oversized captain’s chairs. Camper? I’m not above camping out in one of these. I’ve spent a lot of nights sleeping under picnic tables while on some bike trips. I made a bed in the back of my pickup on may occasions. With the cap in place I was toasty warm. But just a place to put a mattress and sleep would be as far as I would go with a camper conversion.
A wonderful find, but not from a farm. Farms had deliveries from vendors with trucks like this. Supplies of all kinds were transported in these, racking up mega-miles, kind of replacing the business coupe, but on a more daily basis. These had short runs, usually packed to the gills with products, kind of a pre FedEx. These were an important piece in the delivery business history. Ford sold about 14,000 of these in 1955, and were scrapped just as quickly, or turned into the “shed out back”, and very few survived. Sky is the limit here, the only thing I’d do is paint the dang thing. Hello, seller, that “p” word the author speaks of, is fading,,,,and you might get more than 1 bid if,,if,,,,aw, what’s the use, time to change my avatar again,,,
Hi Geo! Hi Howard! Yeah, it’s a great truck and I’d be inclined to use it for my Door Dash delivery business.
Contrary to what a lot of folks think, we deliver anything and everything but tobacco. Sue and I have hauled
a lot of big bulky items like lawn movers, potting soil, and huge bags of dog food. Would need 12 volts to run our phones and maps. Gotta go
got an order!
Hi Kenneth. This is not a good application for today’s commercial delivery unless you are a capable roadside mechanic. Hate to say it but you need a late model Kia with warranty coverage.
Looks like it SOLD for $8700.00.
That seems like a Very Fair Price to me.
I hope the new owner continues to make small improvements to it & drives it OFTEN! :-)
I agree. The price is not unreasonable, especially with the current market where prices have gone a bit nutty
She`s a beauty, I have a similar Canadian made 1954 – last year of the flat head – sitting my yard begging for some attention…just a few too many projects in front of it. Money in the bank, so hard to find, the Mercurys are even scarcer.
Hi Bub! I’ve already got a ’21 K5 sedan that we use to make deliveries
at this point. It’s a great car, but the
maintenance costs on it are through
the roof! Looking at over $300+ for an oil change and that’s not even
counting what it’s going to cost to have the horns replaced (somewhere
near $650) so this panel truck would
be a bargain for me. And as an old
school mechanic, keeping that old
truck running would be a snap! Just
go to NAPA or AutoZone, get what you need, and fix it yourself for a lot
lot less than the cost of a modern car.
Here in Florida, auto repair is a real
racket. Repair shops here charge up
to 3X more than any other state in the
country. That’s why, to me at least,
driving an older car makes more sense. And besides, these trucks were built to work and work they still
will with the right owner in charge.
Salute Kenneth. Tuff luck with that late model costs. I would have never guessed (?)
You sound like the perfect owner for this rig.
I think the mid-’50s were a high point for the Ford panel trucks.