There must be an underground movement among owners of old Ford farm trucks in Michigan this winter, because it seems as if they’re all up for sale. This 1955 F-500 (the ad says F-550, but I can’t find any evidence of that model in my literature) hasn’t run in years, but it ran when it was parked. Yes, “ran when parked.” It’s an old refrain that is probably true but not always relevant when those years turn to decades. All is not lost, of course, as a skilled hand at basic mechanics can almost always get these hardy old farm trucks going. They’re nice and simple and that’s why we all like them so much. This one is for sale on Marketplace in Stanwood, Michigan, for a very reasonable $2,500. Who’s interested in a classic “get it running and drive it home” scenario?
If you are eager for a drive-it-home adventure, only locals need apply, as this big 1 1/2-ton Ford is powered by the 118-horsepower “Cost Clipper” Six, a 223 cubic-inch job. With a single-barrel Holley and a “Synchro-Silent” four-speed transmission, it’s as stone-ax simple as a truck can be, but it’s not meant for high speeds. Bring along your acetone/ATF mixture to pour down the cylinders and dress warmly; it’s supposed to drop into the single digits in Michigan this week. Bring a charged battery, too. The seller says that this one’s still running on its original six-volt electrical system, which works fine when it’s been maintained, but few will argue that it’s the best option in extremely cold weather.
Also, notice the “oil bath” air cleaner. For those not familiar with it, the air cleaner’s sump is filled with a quart of heavy oil. The air is forced to make an abrupt turn above the oil in the air cleaner’s sump to reach the carburetor, and as it does, most debris drops into the oil. When combined with a mesh filter, it’s a very effective way to clean the incoming air, especially for work trucks that don’t need a lot of air flow (such as a low-revving six). Change the oil every once in a while and that’s it!
The interior looks clean enough for a 70-year-old truck, and aside from replacing the old seat cover, a good detailing might be all you need to do. In 1955, Ford added “idiot” lights for oil pressure and generator output, and the ignition key engaged the starter (rather than a push button). The cab doesn’t seem to have too much rust, especially for a Michigan truck, so it’s entirely possible that it’s lived out its life on a Michigan farm and the surrounding local roads, away from any serious road salt.
The bed has been customized at some point in its life, and the extension is the first thing I’d remove if this truck were mine. It’s neat in a functional sort of way, but it throws off the truck’s proportions a bit. Based on the pictures in the ad, I think this is the longer 154-inch wheelbase platform (Ford also sold a 130-inch version).
Like many of you, I love these old farm trucks, and I wish I had a back forty of my own so I could buy a few…dozen. Yes, all jokes about “running when parked” aside, this one will need a bit of coaxing to get back on the road, but it looks like a solid platform if you have the time, money, and most importantly, space.
Might have been an old hay wagon. 🌾
Looks like a cool old farm truck. But hard to get much info from the six pics and the less-than-twenty-word description. Might be an inexpensive starting point for someone who likes to refurbish old trucks. I’d certainly take a look and talk to the owner if it showed up at Cars & Coffee.
Wish I lived a lot closer, for $2500 I’ll be right over! Unless the engine is stuck, wheel cylinders and tires is where the money goes and I can fix both! I ain’t scaret!
About those tires… Those look to be 20 inch 5 lug wheels. I doubt there is a tubeless upgrade for them and the guys who will work on them are getting hard to find. Other than that, it looks pretty simple to get going again.
Miller Tire has a tubeless upgrade, they cut the rim off your old disc and weld a new tubeless rim back on, expansive but a nice up grade. I fixed my share of tires years ago when I worked for the trash co. those rims don’t bother me.
Yep, wish it was closer… Just bought a 53 F100 delivery truck, has the same nose. Mine has a Chevy 302 in it, when bought…
Sometime around 1970 our dad aquired a 1956 1 ton ford from our landlord, this was after one of our neighbors plowed into Dad in his 1950 Dodge pickup at the crest of a hill about 2 miles east of our house. Big old bed on that thing, all us kids would have to ride in back when we all went to see grandma, which was just about the only time we ever went anywhere. Learned about left hand threads after me and my brother Dennis broke off two studs trying to get the tires off for Dad
Test
Okay, clear for takeoff. Been having a slew of problems posting, I’m sure many others are too, apparently, someone is causing some havoc, to them I say, KNOCK IT OFF! Now, I hope this one takes,,,
I had a truck almost exactly like this, except it had a dump bed, which I don’t see here. The “extension” was common place to haul more product, and looks like a shovel to unload. I got mine from a local S.Wis. farmer in the 80s, a few miles from my place, I paid $100 and drove it home. The star in the grill indicates to all, a 6 cylinder, or a V if a V8. The 6 was highly underpowered, but the OHV was an improvement. Tires here are the least of the problems, and for as much as one would use this on the road, it wouldn’t be worth the hassle. The design is pretty cool, but for any real value today, it should be retro-fitted on a newer chassis.
@Howard. Theres quite a few of us in the same boat as you. And I think you’ve expressed everyones sentiments exactly ( both members and staff) when you said….. Knock it off!!!
I always say I learn something new on here every day. I never noticed the Star on the grill for 6 cylinder models. I’ve always noticed the V for the V8s but never noticed the star. It’s good to hear from you Howard.
Yes, I’ve had a slug of problems posting too. I hope this is the exception. However, I will continue to try to post and hope that some of them go through.
Anyways, lot of these out west back in the day. Very few of them with six cylinder engines though. Right now I can only think of two between ‘52 and ‘56 that are so powered. I think the Y-Block V-8 wins all the way. I know of one that came with a 272 but, after dropping a valve, the owner found a 312, which I think still powers it today.
This is a nice sized truck. You can haul just about everything you need on a small acreage. Even a tractor. I sure wouldn’t turn one down…
I have Ave a 52 F-6 cab over. The hood latch area will have a O looking trim piece if a six, a V8 if so equipped.
How long could it have been parked there with tire tracks in the snow?
They very well could have pushed it or dragged it with something else that’s up and running on the farm.
If I wasn’t in SE Alabama, I’d drive that baby home. I love the older F series. When I was small—years ago, my Granddaddy had a 1950 F1. I learned to drive in it, and wish I’d had the foresight to keep it.
I have a 1955 F-600 in my shop. 239 Y block, 4 speed, 2 speed rear and 33,000 original miles..The original owner had added a Heil hoist under the factory Ford Script stake body. I put new drive tires on it back when there was a old man in a local tire shop who would still work on the 5 degree Firestone rims which are the true “widow makers”!!! With some measuring several RV motorhomes use the same bolt pattern to change to tubeless.This is MUCH safer than welding on the old rims. My truck just barely fits into a 26 foot deep garage with 8 foot high doors, so this truck would still be easy for a regular home owner to drive to “Coffee and Cars”