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Parked for 30-Years: 1948 Ford F1 Pickup

This 1948 Ford F1 Pickup spent 30-years parked in a Minneapolis garage before the current owner brought it out into the light of day and revived it. There is some work to be done before it is ready to hit the road again, but its solid condition suggests that it would be well worth the effort. It is currently sitting in Roberts, Wisconsin, and is listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has now reached $5,654, but the reserve hasn’t been met.

The Pickup is essentially solid, but it does have some rust that will need to be addressed at some point. The worst areas are a small area in the cab floor just behind the front cab mount. There is also some rust where the rear fenders meet the bed, as well as a few other spots. The rest of the vehicle does look strong, with no real problems. All of the external trim and badges are still present, as are the original hubcaps. One item that may consume a few dollars is the glass because it looks like the windshield and door glass on both sides will require replacement.

The interior of the Ford is quite presentable, and it could be used as it is. The seat has had a new cover fitted at some point, and the wheel obviously isn’t original. The rest of it looks to be nicely preserved, with little to do to have it looking good. It looks like the Ford is fitted with a heater, and as it hasn’t been bypassed, it should make life a bit more pleasant on those colder days.

The owner says that the engine is the original 239ci flathead, backed by a 3-speed manual transmission. There are some pretty obvious updates visible here, with the engine wearing Edelbrock heads, while a 12-volt alternator, along with a new starter and solenoid have also been fitted. This is where the majority of the work that I referred to is going to need to be carried out before the Ford is road ready. The fuel tank is said to be quite rusty, but the owner is including a good replacement, along with a sender unit. The Pickup will also require a complete rewire, as it has only been patched together to get the engine to run. The Ford runs and drives, but it will also need work on the brakes, along with some decent tires to replace the old ones that are currently fitted.

This 1948 Ford F1 is a vehicle that will offer the next owner a world of possibilities. There is no doubt that it could be restored to its original condition, and if this was done well, it would be worth a pretty reasonable amount of money. It could also be left in its current mechanical configuration, made roadworthy, and enjoyed exactly as it stands. It would also make a pretty good candidate for a custom or rat rod project, as it already has a great look to it. If you bought it, what would you do?

Comments

  1. Avatar Rube Goldberg Member

    It’s always the brakes. Don’t mean to be rude, but someone, and not the original owner, sure cobbled the heck out of this truck. It is, however, a great find, my favorite Ford trucks. I’m sure grandpa passed away long ago, some kid got it, lost interest and it sat. Can’t even include the battery on a $6,000 dollar truck, ( that they are probably going to make $5g’s on), IDK, that’s pretty cheap.
    BTW, check out the “speeds in gears” on the speedo, unless something was done, you won’t even get the “double nickel” out of this.

    Like 2
  2. Avatar Retired Stig

    I have wanted to build one of these as a hot rod since high school in the early ’70’s. One of my fellow students had one, in the oh so cool (at the time) “Root Beer” brown, and I just loved that truck for some reason. So, budget allowing the body would go on a modern frame/suspension unit, ’60’s Ford power, 5 speed. Absolutely no Chevy crate motors or transmission, that’s the dullest, most unimaginative custom car idea ever.

    Like 2
  3. Avatar geomechs Member

    I like the truck and it looks like a good rebuildable project. I do raise my eyebrows when I look at the engine compartment: I’m wondering if the V8 is a transplant. The battery is on the left and that is where it was if you ran a six. The V8 was always on the right. Yeah, I know it’s nit-picky but–I AM kind of nit-picky. I’m not a fan of 12V conversions but then, again, that’s nit-picky. I’m wondering if the instrument cluster has been changed. The heavier trucks (3/4 ton and up) had that 60 mph speedo plus the shift guide. Saying that, I’ve also seen the ’47 and earlier 1/2 tons with factory 4 speeds run a 60 mph speedo too. Unless this truck is running a super stump-puller axle ratio this truck will have no problem reaching 60. My ’47 cruised quite well at 60.

    Like 4
  4. Avatar Miguel

    It will be interesting to see what this truck goes for.l

    Where I am there is a restored example they want around $23,000 USD for.

    It is hard to know what they are worth.

    If this rusted example goes for a lot, That will tell me what I need to know.

    Like 2
    • Avatar Steve R

      There is too much rust to justify the price. Better to hold off for a nicer project to come along.

      Steve R

      Like 0
  5. Avatar Roy L

    What?

    Like 0
  6. Avatar TimM

    Truck looks clean enough to be a inexpensive fix to daily drive or for a good weekend ride!! Not a lot of work in my eyes!! Some rust but not bad for a 60+ year old truck

    Like 1
  7. Avatar TimM

    Damn 70+ year old truck

    Like 0

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