Ford has been the sales leader in the pickup truck market for as long as anyone can remember. The F-Series debuted in 1948 as the company’s first post-war truck design and it was led by the ½-ton model, the F-100. For more cargo and towing capacity, you stepped up to the ¾-ton F-250 like the seller’s truck. This ’58 edition is in decent physical condition and sports a lot of new mechanical parts. Located in Ferndale, Washington, it looks ready to go to work and is available here on craigslist for $13,000. What a cool find brought to us by Seth Johns!
The F-Series trucks were redesigned in 1957 (their third generation). Ford followed other truck manufacturers by integrating their cabs and front fenders for a smoother look. Two types of truck beds would be available, the traditional “step-side” design plus a new approach that brought the bed, cab, and front fenders together in one smooth look. And the engines the trucks used would be the same ones as in Ford’s passenger cars. The most noticeable difference between the ’58 and ’57 models was the addition of dual headlights on each side instead of singles.
This ’58 F-250 is a decent survivor and the seller has been attentive to its mechanical needs. New or replacement parts or work includes brakes, clutch, generator, windshield wiper motos, and an electric fuel pump (the old mechanical one is still there). An inline-6 is under the hood which should be the 223 cubic inch “Mileage Maker” motor that was also in a variety of the Ford Fairlanes. A floor-mounted shifter is there as the manual transmission, but we don’t know if it’s a 3 or 4-speed.
The body is not rust-free, but neither does it look rampant either. The light blue paint seems to be passable for now. And the upholstery is said to be original at 95,000 miles. The horn button will have to be reattached once whatever problem exists with the horn is sorted out. The seller regrets selling this nice old truck, but a lack of time prevents him/her from working on it any further. It’s been a Sunday driver while in his/her possession. Are you looking for a vintage pickup for your brood?
Now that’s a pickup truck.
I learned to drive on a 223 Ford farm truck. later took out the farmers daughter in that same truck. (must have impressed the farmer to get to date his daughter, though, my later mother in law said she put in the good word for me because she liked my accent, said I sounded like Richard Burton)
That’s not the story that went ’round the feed mill,, :)
I had a 60 F100 short bed years ago, same 6, but 3spd on the column, this one’s on the floor, so it’s a 4spd. The 53-56s have always been the “go to” in classic Ford pickups, with the 48-52s right behind, but the 57-60s have catching on. Ford was a little late with the integrated fender and cab, but there were a number of “firsts” that the rest soon followed. Price may seem high, but that seems to be trend, old trucks are bringing some bucks.
My buddy has a 1960 f100 292v8 since 1979. Running great original engine, trani,rear. The thing is a beast, has 1st creeper gear! Of course it has some rust but nothing bad. It’s a cabin truck for the mountains.well maintained kept in shop starts every time 4×4 and locking hubs works great! Not bad investment for $750.00 in 79?
I have to wonder if some Alien force came down in 58 and caused all automobile builders to plaster the same frontend on just about every vehicle built?
Hmm, interesting theory. It sure would answer a lot of questions. I like it.
I know, I say this everytime, but a camera of some sort is needed to capture the horror on the persons face, during the “test drive”, coming from their new F150. How different could it possibly be? If the stumbling carb, jerky manual trans, hard steering, doesn’t freak them out, grandpa, quick,,what’s a “choke”? The poor brakes ( adequate for the time), rough ride, hot/cold, noise and no “power port”, will certainly cancel the deal. I found, while I had interest in an old truck, not many on the road share that feeling AND, my happy DMV charged me an extra $9 bucks, for “age of vehicle”,,yeah, that’s right, penalized for driving an older vehicle. A chilling vision of things to come. It’s a great find, and destined for a more useful resto-mod, and that’s okay too.
Personally, I love old cars for what they are. They are stylish examples of engineering and design (good or bad), relative to the era in which they were produced. That’s what makes them interesting.
Driving this truck wouldn’t freak me out; I’d get a kick out of it. I don’t restomod old cars, because I think that defeats the charm of driving an old car. My 3 cars are all around 60 years old. No bluetooth, no bags, no crazy paint jobs, no stupid wheels. Just classic cars as they were originally intended. Judging from the reactions I get on the street, a lot of people agree.
But, it seems not everyone likes classic cars I guess.
You must live in California. My free state issued me plates for my old Mustang back in the 90’s that were cheaper than my regular plates, and, expire in 50 years.
This truck brings back good memories. I learned how to drive a manual in a 59′ F150, 3 on the tree and 292cid. One day my dad said to turn the truck around. After I did that, he stated “next time do it with all 4 wheels on the ground!”
Whoever took the pictures of this truck must be a professional photographer. He staged the truck perfectly to reflect that this is a work truck. Good luck to the new owner.
In ‘59 the options were F100 and F250. No F150 until the mid ‘70s. While I’m beating you up, the apostrophe in “ ‘59 “ refers to the numbers left off. (1959) “ 59’ “ means something is 59 feet long.
Sorry for picking on you, but you grouped two of my pet peeves in one short comment. Good comments otherwise. My Dad bought a ‘60 F100 (6/3speed) in late ‘59. It became the first rig I owned. Wish that I never sold it. It was a Custom Cab with wraparound rear window. Baby blue and cream. Pretty snazzy back in the day.
We all knew what Mike meant.
The F series began in 1948. F-1, F-2, etc. The first F-100, F-250 was in 1957.
Floor shifter in that year was 4 speed, with 1st being the “Granny” gear. 2-4 were the same as the original 3 speed. The 4 speed was for have loads that needed extra torque to get heavy loads moving.
No, the first F100, F250 came in 1953
I think you got something there, everyone from Rambler to Cadillac put a square boxy bullnose front end on their vehicles.
I had to buy a 59 Panel 4×4 a few years back and I wasn’t even looking for one. I have always been a 56 fan but in the search the 59 popped up, something said “If you don’t buy it you will regret it!” Now it’s worth 3 times what I paid. They’re ugly but part of our history.
All metal interior. I butchered a 59 F100 Fleetside Shortbed when I was younger.
The previous owner put a Buick 340 in it. That wouldn’t do, so I went with a GM 383 and an automotive 4 speed. I grew tired of the bouncy ride and stitched in a front frame section from a 77 Monte Carlo. It was fast and could handle and stop too.
I’ll never do that to an old truck again.
Nice memories. Thanks
Rex Kahrs is spot on – not everyone is as naive as some people make them out to be…