This seller of vintage trucks on eBay seemingly hits home run after home run, finding survivor-grade examples of classic American pickups. This time, it’s an original paint, matching numbers 1951 Ford F3 with the Five-Star cab offered at no reserve, with minimal rust and loads of patina. The truck presents incredibly well for an unrestored example, with straight body panels on both sides, four matching hubcaps, and a spare tire still mounted on the bed. The seller notes some rust in the fenders but also points out that the truck has no bondo and evidence of bodywork to deal with, along with rust-free cab corners, making it a great basis for restoration or continued preservation. Find it here on eBay with bids to just over $2,600 at the moment.
When you consider that the original purchasers of a truck like the F3 had little intention of saving them as future collectibles, the fact that this one remains so solid is truly impressive. The seller is in Montana, so he has a strategic advantage for finding these wonderfully-aged trucks that haven’t been subjected to the kinds of climates that leave them with holes in the bed and cab corners. Though the paint is severely weathered, just knowing you’re looking at original remnants is a treat, and there’s honestly enough paint coverage to be completely content using it as-is. In fact, I hope no one ever paints this truck, and I’m not even sure how I feel about the practice of applying clearcoat on top. It’s an old F3; it shouldn’t be shiny!
The glass is amazingly clear for a truck that’s been used, and fortunately, it doesn’t reveal any cracks. The interior is very original, and looks pleasingly weathered. The Five-Star cab was new for 1951 and features a wider rear window and a redesigned dash panel. Trucks like this – that have managed to survive without major alterations to the cabin, made in the names of function or comfort or both – should never be changed. No modern head units, no fresh paint on the dash, no Bluetooth nonsense – as long as the glass is intact and the weather stays old (OK, the heat should work, too) – there’s nothing left to sort out inside this F3. The seller does anticipate the next owner wanting to recover the seat.
The seller notes the original flathead V8 still turns freely, so hopefully it won’t take much work to get it running sweetly once again. Check out that paint on the firewall – can you imagine that buffed out? No other major mechanical details are offered, other than the tires being able to hold air long enough to be rolled onto a transport rig. No word on whether the brakes still hold well enough for it to stop on its own, but that’s not a deal-breaker by any means. A survivor-grade truck like this with original paint and matching numbers – listed at no reserve – is a fair deal for all parties any day of the week. Hopefully, the next owner doesn’t over-do the restoration of this sweet F3 and preserves the original features that have clearly withstood the test of time.
Not bad, but I like short boxes better
That’s what she said
Another one shows up at Sweetgrass! These guys keep finding them. Ten years ago you would still see the odd one in a farmyard but the numbers are shrinking. I wouldn’t hesitate to restore this one to its original glory, right down to the blue (Acapulco Blue?) finish and then put it to work. I could have a lot of fun with it. I kind of wonder if the bottom of the air cleaner has rusted out; it sure has bathed the carburetor in grease. Still running the noisy T-9 crashbox. I think they went to the synchro T-98 in ’52. Definitely not a speed demon but then I wouldn’t want to be driving one of these at anything more than 55; they just weren’t designed for it…
Nice find, however, it appears the way to do it, is buy from an honest person like this, and turn around and gouge someone 5 figures, like that one a while back. This is much more in line for a truck like this and a great find for someone. It has a snowballs chance in Hades of remaining like this, but it’s a great start.
Howard, you need to wake up! Do you really think any of the “Sweet Grass” sellers are paying a fair price for any of these vehicles? They pick them up for change and make a huge profit from everyone that buys from them! That’s just how things work.
Another fantastic truck from Sweetgrass. Judging by the photos it’s practically a driver as it sits (although the missus wouldn’t appreciate sitting on the seat without a thorough reupholstery job first!) and would be perfect-but as you said, geomechs, it’d be better if it were restored. I hope your wrong, Howard, but yes these seem to lend themselves to become restomods before becoming more of something useful as it was originally, I.e., the ‘49’ KB2 I missed recently in a local market; no interior work needed, very solid as in nothing but surface rust and altogether there-sold for $1850. The owner said it was sold to a guy from Cal. that’s “going to make it into a hot rod truck” to sell at this years Hot August Night in Reno..dang.
It’s so unfortunate to see so many of these trucks sold for sometimes the cab only. The chassis and bed often get scrapped or otherwise discarded. It’s an undignified ending for an old workhorse. But there’s little we can do about it; the buyer has the right to do what he wants to it. I do recall some guys in the Early V8 Club, talking about ads that specified that the buyer be a current member (of good standing) of an antique auto club, and had to supply references. That still doesn’t guarantee that the car/truck will be properly looked after but it does tend to weed out most of the butchers.
I remember one guy was closing a sale on a ’35 Ford coupe. The buyer was eagerly anticipating getting that gem home and moving forward with the restoration. Then he let it slip out what a great street rod it was going to make. The vendor promptly tore up the paperwork and handed the guy the pieces.
Out.standing.
What happened to this guy taking great photos outside in the natural light? I appreciate the undercarriage photos indoors with the camera flash, but you get a much better idea of everything else outside.
I want to slap someone in the face for saying this truck has “matching numbers”, better yet show them to me, because they don’t exist. What an ignorant/lying person. I thought everyone knew that Ford didn’t use matching numbers prior to the ’80’s.
Actually, BR, you’re only half right on the matching numbers part. In addition to the VIN stamped on the frame just above the steering box, Fords had the VIN stamped on top of the transmission, either on the flat ahead of the shift tower or stamped in just behind the bell housing of a column-shift three-speed. My ’47 Ford pickup is a matching numbers in that respect, as well as my ’42 sedan (which is only a car body and frame with a transmission) and my ’35 pickup.
I believe you have a series of coincidences or anomalies, or ………….. Here’s a good short read.
https://www.jacksonville.com/business/20180129/cars-we-remember-seasoned-collectors-explain-fords-numbers-matching-vehicles-or-lack-thereof
I cannot speak for the new ones, BR, but in the days of the flatheads the VIN WAS stamped on the transmission. I’ve seen it on a number of vehicles besides the ones I own. The Early V8 Club has also mentioned the same thing. It wouldn’t surprise me if Ford quit doing that because all the builders change systems from time to time, and overall, and especially with all the variations, it was a pain to keep track of. But for the early V8s, the VIN was on the transmission…