Low-Mileage Hauler: 1953 Ford F350 Truck

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This old farm truck may look a little beat up, but the seller believes that the 29,000 miles showing on the odometer could be correct. They purchased it from the original owner’s son and it’s actually in pretty good shape. It’s located in Cavalier, North Dakota and is listed here on eBay with bidding starting at $1,000 and no reserve.

The beat up exterior makes the “29k mile” claim a little hard to believe, but you never know. Some of these old farm trucks didn’t cover many miles because they were strictly for hauling things around the farm or ranch.

Supposedly, the truck was parked when a water pump went out 15 years ago. It is sitting outside now, but is claimed to have been parked inside that whole time. There’s less rust than you would expect when first looking at the truck.

The paint is faded and someone rattled canned part of the hood. I’m not sure what I’d do with this big boy, but it does sound like it could be made to run again without too much effort. One could just get it going or they could do a full restoration. What route would you go?

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Comments

  1. Gordon Beech

    How much do you think it will cost to get it to B.C. Canada

    Like 0
    • Howard A Howard AMember

      Hi Gordon, it seems, generally, it’s .50 cpm for open type trailers, $1.00/mile for enclosed. Crossing into Canada could be the sticky wicket, though.

      Like 0
      • beaudog

        Actually, bringing vehicles into Canada isn’t a big deal as long as you have a clear title and it arrives at your chosen border crossing three days before you arrive with the vehicle. I have imported a number of vehicles and have had no problems.

        Like 0
      • Dave Wright

        Those rates are 10 years old………short hauls are sometimes 3-4.00 a mile, long hauls are frequently over 2.00 a mile on an open trailer. This old lug won’t be cheep to move. Like all truckers, they like lightweight and running.

        Like 0
      • Mel

        This guy regularly sells trucks such as this one. At the bottom of his ad he states they are usually stored in Canada (where they are sourced) & then brought into the US.

        Like 0
    • Martin Sparkes

      There are a bunch of old prairie farm trucks in Chilliwack on Yale Road. Might want to go chat with him if you are looking. They are all nice looking and rust free. Some pickups and some larger ones.

      Like 0
  2. Howard A Howard AMember

    What a great find. There’s no reason to think, if the speedo cable still turns, the mileage isn’t right, as stated, these didn’t go far. This particular truck, with a hoist, may have rarely left the farm. I had a similar truck, only a flatbed and duals. It was a handful to drive, certainly nothing I’d take into a city with stop lights. And that’s exactly what this is good for, around the farm, as it is. It’s even nice enough to go the body on a late model truck, route, but to me, that kills the character. Could go either way here.

    Like 0
  3. CMARVMember

    I’ll say it , late model 3/4 ton 4×4 Suburban frame . Then a supercharger on the LS . Leave the paint “as-is” . JMHO

    Like 0
    • CATHOUSE

      Modernize the truck if you want but at least put it on a Ford chassis and use a Ford driveline. There is nothing worse to me than to see a decent looking Ford vehicle and then seeing a non Ford engine under the hood.

      Like 2
  4. Brent

    As an indicator of mileage I looked at wear on the gas, brake, clutch pedals and on the steering wheel and shift knob. From the photos I would go along with 29K mileage. A bit of advice, NEVER buy a “Low mileage vehicle” with new pedal rubbers and shift knob. But, I was young and dumb and believed the sells man. Oh well- live and learn.

    Like 1
  5. geomechs geomechs

    In my neighborhood, by the time these came out farms had expanded enough to warrant larger trucks. There were a couple of trucks similar to this one. I remember one of them used as the farm water truck (they had a cistern) from ’63 till the guy sold out in ’89. The truck sold at his farm sale but I’m vague on where it went.

    The transmissions (T-98) in these trucks were synchromesh with helical gears; much quieter and easier to shift than the old T-9 crashbox. Too bad, I kind of liked the whine of the older ones….

    Like 0
  6. Ken Carney

    Had one of these in highschool. Mine was a ’54 with the long box and a hydraulic lift system that lifted the box just like a dump truck. It ran an inline 6 mated to a 4-speed tranny and a PTO for use in raising and lowering the box. I kept it about a year before selling it to buy
    my parent’s ’66 Caddy Calais. It was a stout performer that took whatever I threw at it and came back for more. Great old truck, shoulda kept it.

    Like 1
  7. DonC

    Isn’t this “Mater” from the Cars movies!?

    Like 0
    • Dave Wright

      I think “Mater” was a Dodge.

      Like 0
      • Dave Wright

        Looked it up…….I was wrong…….it says the inspiration was an IHC.

        Like 0
  8. lawrence

    Am I the only one that thinks those 9 ft bed step side 1 ton’s are sexy ?

    Like 1
  9. Bob

    I’m looking for a old truck for my remodeling company. Just to use as a stand out marketing tool :) hm………

    Like 0
  10. Rodney

    From my childhood…

    Like 0
  11. Mitch RossMember

    Get an old E350 with a 7.3TD like an old short school bus and do a body swap. Would have lots of power, good MPG and look sooooo cool

    Like 0

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