The Ford F-Series trucks have dominated the pickup scene since these transports debuted in 1948. While the F-150 has been the leader in the ½-ton segment of the market, so has the F-250 in the ¾-ton sector. The seller’s 1955 F-250 wears an older restoration with a few outstanding cosmetic issues, but it’s a good running truck with a 239 cubic-inch V8. Located in Franklin, New Jersey, this nice workhorse is available here on craigslist for $14,900 OBO. Thanks, T.J.!
Second-generation F-Series pickups were in production from 1953-56. During these four years, the trucks changed little except for a redesign of the cab and dashboard and the rear window could be had with a panoramic view. Ford’s goal with the Gen-2 pickups was to have more of an integrated look with the various body panels. After 1953, the flathead-8 was retired in favor of an OHV Y-block V8 which the marketing guys called the “Power King.”
The seller’s truck is the extended bed edition and looks good overall. However, there is a bit of rust in a couple of places that have developed since the pickup was restored years ago. The green paint is an interesting shade and looks lighter in the outdoor pics and darker in the indoor ones. The interior is nice and tidy, and all the glass is good and rolls up and down properly.
There’s no indication if the odometer reading of 43,000 is really that or 143,000 or something else. The 239 is paired with a 4-speed manual transmission, and we’re told it starts, runs, and stops as it should. The tires are new, and a spare is included (you don’t always get one on older trucks). If you were looking for a vintage Ford pickup that may only need some TLC, could this be the one?
This truck needs to come to my garage and be beside my 50 Meteor. The green is a little darker than my car but I could live with that. This truck would clean up nice, and I think all I’d change is the wheel/tire combo.
Are they sure about the engine size? 239 was the flathead v8 up through 1953, this should be a 272.
Hi Clay. Yes, there was a 239 y block. It made its debut in 1954 and that was the only year it was used in cars. However, a lot of 1955 trucks were fitted with it, as well as the 272.
Correction, the 272 wasn’t available until 1956. The 256 y block, borrowed from Mercury, was available in the 1955 trucks as an option.
We had a 1955 F-600 that came with a 317 Y-block. I was told it was based on the Lincoln engine.
TouringFordor, you are correct. The bigger F series used Lincoln y blocks, and the 317 was one of them.
This one definitely has a 1957 or newer intake manifold, and the carburetor is of more modern vintage.
54′ for sure had 239 oh valve eng., perhaps 55′ also.
Sigh,,,again, and most know why. 1st, I’m not a total, and what a find. Any resemblance to this and a new truck is in name only. Look at new trucks today, then look at this. Can you imagine, THIS WAS GOOD ENOUGH??!! I know it says “F250” on the hood, but sure looks like a 1/2 ton to me. To find a truck like this, that hasn’t been,,,um,,,modified, is understandably uncommon. The sellers lack of knowledge, other than it’s a money maker, shows. This was no “farm” truck, where all these surely must come from. Who is going to argue, old men? The originality shows, it was clearly dads truck, or maybe even grandpas truck, and who gives a darn about that today. Money to be made, ( you couldn’t convince me this wasn’t picked up at an estate sale for pennies),,,maybe even for a couple greedy folks. Sorry, I see all emotion gone from this hobby, and the kick in the bum? They’ll probably get it, repeating the cycle over and over, when, it’s just an old pickup, that could make someone very happy. At 5 figures, guess where that leaves them?
Sigh? Again let me state the obvious. The ad clearly states $14,900 or B.O. So make an offer already instead of bemoaning the state of modern life. Have you seen the price of used cars lately? Nothing is getting cheaper, especially automobiles. The truck looks fine to me, but I would have to get some disc brakes on the front and if that means ditching the front suspension, all the better. What kind of truck can you get for $15K? Something that will get lost in a parking lot among all the other 8-10 year old trucks. This one will stop people in their tracks to look it over and talk to you about it. Everyone in town will know who you are…
We’re going to have to agree to disagree, we are so far apart, it’s practically moot to continue this, but I’m bored, so what the heck. You can’t possibly think this is equal to a modernish $15g truck. $15gs still can buy a pretty nice used modern truck. This is a 67 year old truck, with 1955 technology. Even your “best offer” isn’t even in the ballpark. Have you even driven one of these? I think you, like most today, are just fed up with modern vehicles, and see this, oh, the simplicity, but one ride will bring you back to reality after the 1st “bump steer”. It’s NOT for todays travel, save a trip to Walmart 2 miles away, and pray nobody stops short or pulls out in front of you. 4 wheel disc, it doesn’t have. I like the part about interaction a vehicle like this may garner, but for $15 grand, it should do more than that.
And for the record, at 68, I’ve “earned” my right to bitxx, having seen the world go to Hades, and remember a time, when money wasn’t all it was about. This seller wants to cash in, and a rather obscure vehicle like this, is the perfect piece to bamboozle the next buyer, who probably knows nothing about the truck, except it must be better than whats offered today. A 67 year old truck, mind you. Your turn,,
Its hard getting older, seeing the changes that leave us behind. The lack of respect, appreciation for the good ole days.
The 2023 F250 is rated at 500HP and 1200 #Torque!
It has a 10-speed trans and is rated to tow 40,000#s…in stop-and-go traffic with the AC cooling you and the seats massaging you while giving you better fuel mileage. I LOVE my 2022 F250 Limited! I built it on Ford.com with everything but the snow plow. Its my Cowgirl Caddy I use to chase old car and trucks in power and comfort. I’ve a 2004 F350 dually built same way getting it now 18 years ago. I put a flat bed on it which gives me room to load plywood side by side with over 2′ room left lengthwise while towing my backhoe. Older vehicles are fun to an extent. Older vehicles upgraded with modern drivetrains, suspensions, insulation and even windshield wiper systems make them great daily drivers which are a blast to drive, great conversation starters and likely to return the money expended.
This seems a fine truck, one I’d love to own had I the garage space to store it. Yet I’d quibble with the writer’s assertion that Ford F-Series trucks have “dominated the pickup scene since these transports debuted in 1948.” Indeed, all of the sources I’ve consulted state that Chevy’s Advanced Design was wildly popular and, according to ClassicCars.com, Advanced Design trucks were the “No. 1-selling trucks in the United States.” (https://journal.classiccars.com/2019/04/24/post-war-chevy-pickups-were-popular-for-their-advance-design/)
I am a big fan of this era of the F-100’s ,1953 to 1956, I have had a 1/2 dozen of them , only 1/2 ton F-100’s. I have seen a few of the larger work trucks and have no interest , but one this nice is certainly rare. As far as I know everything but the bed and chassis is interchangeable with the 1/2 ton truck. Not trying to P– everyone off, but I would probably salvage all the parts and make a super F-100.
Use the truck as is. It was designed to be a work truck, so use it as one. They work great on trips to the lumber yard or hardware store. They even work great for other work jobs. To disassemble this one to fit another vehicle would be a crime as this one is good enough as is.
Love this truck.. Seems like a reasonable asking price to me.