Classic trucks with “original” patina are still sought after and their popularity shows no signs of slowing down. This truck has nearly perfect patina and looks like a great project for someone. It can be found here on eBay with a current bid of $3,450. According to the ad, the truck spent most of its life in California and now resides in Tucson, Arizona. With a little bit of work, this would be a fun work truck, parts truck, or hot rod. Take a look!
I bet the engine looked really good back in the day with all the chrome accents. It is a 235 cubic inch straight-six mated to a three-on-the-tree manual transmission. You can see the plug wires and battery cable look newer, but there is no battery in the tray. Unfortunately, there isn’t any information in the ad regarding the condition of the engine other than it ran when parked about six years ago. The seller says it “needs some love and restoration” whatever that means.
There aren’t too many photos of the interior in the ad, but you can get a sense that it is original and in decent shape. The troubling thing is the water that appears to be puddled on the floorboards. There doesn’t seem to be much more than surface rust, but the source of the water would be nice to know. If it has a leak from the windshield gasket (or similar issue), the buyer will want to fix it or throw a tarp over it if it’s going to be stored outside.
The truck is a long box, which will turn off some people. If it was my truck, I would lose the rear bumper which will save you about six inches in length and at least fifty pounds over the rear end. How about you? Is this your kind of project?
With a lot of time, patience, tools and some cash this’d be a really great “truckin’ inta town” truck. That 6 banger will probably come back to life if it’s as tough as Howard A. and geomechs say they are-and they know from experience.
Montana, it looks to me like someone hosed off the truck before the photo, judging by what appears to be wet dirt under/somewhat around it and I’ll bet they didn’t think or maybe couldn’t close the window!
I agree, nice find, and not 5 figures either. That 6 banger more than capable, like all these, just need to bring the revs down a bit. I read, this is the last year for the “Task Force” trucks, and the “32” threw me, as it’s clearly a 1/2 ton. The “31” was a short bed, and the “32” was a long bed. Wouldn’t take much for slow rides, any kind of over 60 mph will require some homework.
That solid rear “Bardin Bumper” is a great accessory feature.
Makes it easy to step up and over the rear tailgate, as well as
the steps in front of the rear fenders.
The non-power assist steering and length of these makes
parallel parking difficult. Even more difficult is returning to the
truck and finding some VW Bug has parked inches from your rear
bumper and you cannot leave the parking spot!
No problem with that solid Bardin Bumper! Just put the truck in reverse,
gently go back, then give the throttle a bit of a boost. Away skids the
VW! The path is now clear to continue on with your daily tasks
in this Task Force Pick-Up : )
Back in the day, at least out west, these outnumbered the short boxes. Every third farmer had one. This one would serve quite well at my place. Can definitely haul a lot more stuff in this one. Now—it needs a PAINT JOB!!! No more of that ‘Lazy Bodyman’ stuff. A nice respray in the factory color and it will be something to show and use for generations to come…
The fella with the 57 Buick sedan in the mud that sold yesterday has one similar to this for sale on eBay. Short bed, though.