Very few times in life am I rendered speechless, but it happened back in 2010: A man approached me in a parking lot and asked me if I was the original owner of my ’53 Buick Special. I was 33 years old. As I did the math in my head, I realized something…I must have looked horrible that day. Nevertheless, I get a chuckle whenever I see a one-owner claim that is a bit of a stretch, and it was the first thing I considered when I saw the ad that Barn Finds reader Jack M. sent us for this “one-owner” 1954 Ford F-500. If you do the math, however, it’s very much possible (unlike the relationship between me and my ’53). Either way, this looks like a solid old stake truck, and it’s for sale on craigslist in Bruceville, Texas, with an asking price of $3,900.
Not to mix my stories, but right around the time when I was asked about the ownership history of my Special, I found a derelict 1954 Ford stake truck sitting in a parking lot near my home. I don’t touch people’s vehicles as a general rule, so I didn’t open its hood, but I remember wishing that it had the big Lincoln Y-Block. Unfortunately, that engine was not available in the F-500; you could order a Ford 239-cubic-inch Y-Block or stick with the standard six, shown here. It’s the 223-cubic-inch “Cost Clipper Six,” which produced 115 horsepower and 193 lb.-ft. of torque, and sent it through a four-speed transmission with a 6.40:1 first gear. When combined with the F-500’s standard rear axle ratio of 6.20:1, you could probably walk alongside this handsome Ford as it idled, not that OSHA would approve of that kind of stunt.
The craigslist ad mentions that the original owner rebuilt the engine, but it needs a carburetor rebuild; therefore, I’m assuming it doesn’t run. You’re always taking a chance with a non-running vehicle with a rebuilt engine, but let’s face it, you’re not going to buy a truck like this if you’re afraid to get your hands dirty. The interior looks tired, but there’s so little to retrim on a working rig like this that you could hose it out with a power washer and throw a blanket on the front seat.
In fact, this could very easily be a truck that you could be driving with a few weeks of work; the only issue will be tires (and rims? Are they those awful split rims?) and brakes. The seller has a clean title (and can do layaway, which is good, because you’ll have to figure out a way to transport it). I fell in love with that long-forgotten ’54 that I perused in that parking lot long ago, and I personally like the 1954’s front end the best out of this generation of Ford truck. If the seller truly is the original owner, I hope the buyer can swap some stories; it would be fun to hear about the ownership history of this neat F-500.
Hey Aaron, I always tell people I’m not that old I just look worse than hell! The truck actually looks better than I do for it’s age. Lot of good here to work with wheels, tires and brakes are always the killer on these old trucks, the rest is like a car only bigger. Seems to me you could get a 5sp OD in these, the trick would be finding one. Anyways looks like a good project!
Aaron…. You don’t look that old in your photo!!! This looks like a very honest solid, truck. You’re right about those gears. You don’t even need any throtte taking off in first gear. You can just slip the clutch at an idle and quite frankly, you’re right, you could walk next to this truck, or maybe even walk faster than this truck at idle. I’m glad you’re all writing up these old trucks on Barnfinds!! Keep them coming.
Thank you! I don’t think I look that old, and I certainly didn’t back then! :)
Honestly, I have no idea what the guy was getting at. I’m not sure he did either. :)
I know, what kind of 3am foolish claims this guy have for us today, I had a truck very similar, only a ’53, I think. In the 90s, a neighbor had it in his farmyard, I think I paid $100 and DROVE IT HOME!! (2 miles) The F500 was probably the most common for a farm truck, as the F600( and up) was more HD that the farmer really didn’t need. Looks like a hoist, and I read ’54 was the 1st year for the V8, and besides the extra cost, the V8 was still uncharted territory, by golly, 6 in a row, made ‘er go, and never failed us. The widow maker wheels are a problem. I’d have to consult my new friend, jwaltb( see how easy it is to have peace?) but I don’t think anyone makes a tubeless 5 hole truck rim, and would have to update to modern axles, and a big job.
I think it could be used as is, but most will plop the cab on a modern chassis and be done with it.
You know Howard, I think you just touched on something with what you just wrote. How many times we see an older truck plopped onto a newer and more modern chassis. That could very well be one major reason why. Split rims, and finding a replacement for them, and swapping axles is not an easy job. ( Ive never done it, nor would I). I never even thought of that as a reason. I really think you’re into something there.
-Dave
About 40 years ago I had a 54 F-100 pickup painted black primer. My wife referred to it as “Darth Vader” due to the bulbous fenders, the hood and the color. A 54 truck has the grille that some think is the least attractive of the 53-56 second series F trucks, though I grew to like it. My truck also had the 223 6-cylinder engine that debuted in 1952, before then the flat 6, and 1954 was the first year for the 239 overhead valve engine, but in Canada the flat head 239 continued for one more year.
Good ideas. Go find a late model pickup chasis and bed and put it all together and you have a good looking driveable truck.
Nice shape. Reasonably popular out west although the farms had increased enough in size to warrant an F600. A six cylinder Ford was a real novelty. I can recall two, a ‘54 like this and a ‘50 F4.
From what I’ve been told these rims aren’t true Widow-Makers. True widow-makers separated further in. Anyways, growing up on the ranch 20 miles down a coarse gravel road, we had a lot of flat tires, and we fixed them at the farm shop.
I was taught at a very early age to make sure that lock ring was properly positioned and you either had the wheel and tire chained or you laid it on the ground and placed the bucket of the front end loader (blade of the Cat worked too) on it to keep everything in place for the tire to bead.
In all my years I never had one fail, but I recall a roadside gas station adjacent to my place of work that did.
Nice sunny morning in June. We were lounging outside, having a coffee and a smoke when we heard this loud ‘Kaboom!’
A billowing cloud of dust (we thought it was smoke at first) erupted from the open shop door and the next thing we knew there was three Hutterite (highly mechanized Amish type people) boys running for their lives across the apron.
They were changing a truck tire and didn’t chain it down. The ring wasn’t seated and it let go. It shaved a little piece off one boy’s thumb and broke the nail, and continued up into the roof truss turning it into match sticks.
Long story short, chain it down or put it in a cage.
Now, in our region out west, I can think of 30 tire shops, and there isn’t ONE of them that will refuse to work on a wheel like this. Some of the younger kids ask questions but they work on them. If they refused, they would lose a full third of their business. You just have to get used to the fact that you’re playing with a potential bomb and you need to take certain safety precautions. Remember, when that thing beads, it makes one heck of a bang!
I have commented before on this. A gas station aired one up (10.00-20) using the top and arms of a single post hydraulic lift. It let go and took the lift (post and head) out through the roof of the station. I happened to stop there just after it happened and there were no injuries but several people walking around very dazed. Better off to find one piece wheels as there are very few non-radial tires out there these days and a two piece/split rim is not recommended for use on a radial tire. Too much force transmitted to the outer bead area instead of directly into the wheel itself.
One night in a God forsaken rail yard in Chicago, about this time, picking up my wagon, and the rail would change bad tires 24 hours a day, just had to find the guy. So this trailer had a bad tire, find the guy, no problem. Takes old tire off, puts another 10-20 tire on, lays it on the ground, puts the air hose on( no chain) and walks away. I was about 25 feet away, and it looked like he put a bad tire back on, I took 1 step and thought, what if that tire blows,,nah, just then KABOOM, any closer the ring would have taken my head off and I would be typing this delightful story. The guy comes running back, what did you do,,what did I DO, you miserabe$@*&%@. When I got home, I told my ex-wife, she said, yeah, I had a rough day too,,,
I remember there was one up here in Baja Wisconsin in regular use until 2015 or so. Until I saw the location, I thought it might be it.
Not an original owner truck…the person that sent you that info read it all wrong. The seller is not the original owner, but the seller did mention that the engine had been rebuilt by the original owner, and that is how the ball bounces. Still, it is a cool truck and would be a fun project!
It says “ONE OWNER” in the title of the craigslist ad. I agree though, the phrasing is confusing/misleading.
Yes, I saw that, so I am now to assume that the writer of the ad is not the original owner, just a helper posting the ad. It is confusing when the post mentions the original owner as having rebuilt the motor, so is he talking about himself in the second person? LoL. It’s all good, no harm, no foul.
Yes those look like the 5 degree Firestone rims that Ford used in those days, I have the same on my 55 F-600, and they ARE the true widow maker’s!!! Very different and much more dangerous to work on than a normal snap ring tube type rim.. And NO old time tire men who knew how to work on them left!! With some measurements and research there are some RV motorhomes which have the same bolt pattern to be able to replace them, I just cannot remember which right now?? As you all know by now, I am a refurbish man. This truck is an excellent entry project for someone to get involved in the antique/historical truck hobby. If it runs $3900 is NOT a bad price. If not start dickering as the brakes will have to gone thru. Looks like a good cab and glass (mostly surface rust??), an easy body to repair, and will fit into a 10X30 garage or carport. Fixed up it will make the new owner a great weekend work horse and conversation starter at local shows, cruise ins, and cars and coffee. A WHOLE lot less work and cheaper than going thru placing that cab and fenders on a modern chassis.
Crow is so hard to eat, even when it’s hot. You’re right; those are the genuine item. I should’ve enlarged the picture.
On the ranch we ran Internationals and GM upon which I’ve never seen widow-makers. However, when I went to work in a repair shop, we got lots of them. I’m sure I was 20 years into the trade before I heard the term, “Widow Maker” though.
Yes, they are available Howard. Just measure the. bolt circle and start searching. I was able to find a set for my friends ’39 Chev. They came off an ISUZU commercial truck. ( most of their wheels are 5 lug. vsearching
If you never transfer title it could change hands 20 times and still technically be a one owner. This would be a rig I would love to have and get back on the road.
I think changing to a newer chassis is a good choice. Especially if you have a loader or a forklift. Remember, you get superior brakes and a better ride.
Bdox
Bruce, That would depend on what you want to use it for!!! If you want to make it a daily driver / custom show truck yes go to the expense and effort of moving the cab onto a newer chassis. But what I personally would do is make it roadworthy and use it as a weekend work horse that I could drive to Cruise In’s, local shows, and Cars and Coffee. Each to his own depending on his needs, checkbook, and expertise.
I just sold a real nice F350 with a V-8 and hydraulic dump for $3500. I have too many trucks, they need to go.