SOLD
We’ve seen lots of rusted out barn finds, some are so bad that you have to wonder what you would even do with them. Well, reader Rudy R’s truck is a great example of what you can do with some creativity and hard work. This truck was built from a mixture of parts and is currently riding on an S10 frame with components from a ’78 full-size Chevrolet truck. The cab is a ’49, the bed is from a ’48 and the front clip is from a ’52. It looks great and is said to drive nicely. It goes to show, with some hard work you can always find a use for a rusty find!
Asking Price: $16,999
Location: Brea, California
Mileage: Unknown exact
Title Status: Clean
VIN: 97HC234273
Seller’s Description: Fully Custom, only one like her in the Nation! The cab is a 1949 small rear window (new glass), the front clip is a 1952 and the rear bed is off a ’48 short box. Added Desoto bumpers (have matching rear cut down ready to install, but I personally like no rear bumper). Sitting on an S10 frame but unlike most S10 conversions the builder did not use the S10 brakes. He bought a full running and driving 1978 Chevy 1/2 ton truck and pulled everything off that. Front power disc brakes, power steering, steering column, wiring, drivetrain, 350 SBC all off the 78 Chevy full-size truck (even the rear end). What is extra special about this old truck is that she is a “driver”. I have used it all over the place including on the freeway during the hot 100 degree weather here in Sunny California – on bumper to bumper traffic never overheats and drives real solid. Older owner, so I put in custom Leather seat and new headliner – real nice and clean. My wife actually drives it often!
Body Condition: The body has dings on fenders, hood and pretty much everywhere. It’s not perfect by any means. It’s a Truck! The rust has been cut out and new metal welded in (cab corners etc). Painted with colored primer.
Mechanical Condition: The 350 SBC runs strong, 350 automatic transmission shifts nicely. Has a Lokar shifter, power disc brakes, power steering and tracks straight down the road (you can literally drive with one finger). At 60mph she is easy and smooth. The fuel tank is in rear bed so nice, safe and gives the cab a little extra room.
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This is about as resto-modded as one could get, and still retain the original looks. I like the S-10 part, but with as much work as it took to drop the 350 in, could have easily kept it Ford power. Inside is done right, no funky tilt wheels and electronic gauges. Somebody did a nice job here.
Howard, Thank you very much. Sounds like you understand the build process, on this build the donor truck for “drivetrain” (the 1/2 ton) was a friends “the trucks frame had been twisted in a accident”. It was a low mile chevy that ran great before the accident- we used the brakes, power steering, engine, drivetrain, wiring, rear end, everything we could as it was a heavy duty truck (even the steering column) the S10’s are great but those mechanical s are not fantastic when mated up with a V8. If a Ford 351 had been available would of used that just as quick, I love Ford and Chevy anything made in the U.S.A. works for me.
Rudy another amazing build on your part. You are a pro!!
’49? (with a ’52 front clip)
You got me with the headline.
Thanks!.. love the 52 clip..
For the purist it’s not.. but cool driver!
Andre, I agree!
I have owned one Pebble Beach winner and I have driven this ole Truck hundreds of miles (where as I drove the Pebble Beach one up a trailer).. She is a driver, and what is weird attracts a crowd of “normal folks” faster than the Concourse Ford ever did (I had a Sportsman). Cheers Rudy
PS. Picture below is at the City Dump a few weeks ago in 100 degree heat!..she is a work horse- all the guys at the dump stopped working and came over and took pictures
Nothing like the smell of a dump at 100 degrees!
Pebble Beach CONCOURS D’ ELEGANCE. Concourse is what you drove upon to bring the Sportsman to its parking spot.
Very sharp. But the blue oval powerful engines would work better for me.
You know the Chevy motor comes out.. I did not weld it in.. Just saying
I have a Ford Stroker motor.. if anyone is interested.. but not at this price!.. Ford stuff aint’ cheap guys..
Nice but I would have used a Ranger frame and drivetrain. But I’m Blue Oval all the way when it comes to trucks.
Nicely done. There are TONS and TONS of backwoods mechanics dropping all manner of vintage truck tonnage atop of S-10 chasses. There is even a late 40s COE Chebby sitting precariously on one within the local Craigslist. So, I’m SO glad the seller mentions the addition of full size truck brakes to stop this beast. Nice matte finish. Wonder if that will hold up for long without covered parking 24/7?
Really nice. I would dump my Corvette for this.
RubyR, that is one very nice driver you’ve built…I appreciate the fact that your wife drives it, as I believe that’s the true mark of success! GLWTS.
She not only drives it.. She owns it.. only selling cause building her one with AC.. and fuel injected motor.. yeah gas mileage.. more economical
Excellent job Rudy! The truck looks great, you have made it a usable daily driver creature comforts wise, yet kept it looking sharp and period correct. I think you have priced this very well, just be patient & ignore the inevitable haters!
Elizabeth!!!!! This is the big one !
Lamont!! You big dummy!!!
Love the look esp the wide whitewall Rudy. And that front bumper works well. Can’t give up my Chevy’s but I gotta admit the Ford trucks of that era are better looking. GLWTS.
Very nice, I remember the DeSoto bumpers as having more ripples and the 49 Plymouth bumper to resemble the one pictured on the front. Anyone know for sure?
My driver is a 53 F-100, much like this one, late running gear and suspension .A/C, etc. and I love it. I would also love this truck. Having built several of these, if someone doesn’t snap this up for the asking price, they are crazy stupid. What a deal ,and a real great driver, super old truck, that can be enjoyed.
I would have to add air, Phoenix Az. is a little warm right now!
Of course you do, that is the point. Isn’t America great.
Its cool looking but I’m not happy with the mix of body parts along with the chevy motor. Good luck to who ever…
That’s the cool part he took a bunch of odds and ends and made it into something cool.
Beautiful job and great craftsmanship And adhering to the Traditional (hate the term old school) hotrodders’ motto: use what you got laying around. Putting this puzzle together took a lot of talent and imagination; not everyone could pull this off! Far as the Chevy engine- its what you had on hand, and its good old American Iron!
The description reminded me of a good ol Johnny Cash tune, “One piece at a time”!! ” it’s a 49, 50, 51, 52, etc”!
Can’t wait to see your next Project!!
Dang! Now I want to build one but with ranger frame and F-150 running gear.
Love these old Ford trucks. Had a 51 with a souped up flathead. Put a C4 automatic in it and drove it as my shop truck daily for about eight years. Red primer, painted on wide white walls and tons of patina and fun. My 5 grandkids drove it and cried when I sold it.