It’s hard to escape the “patina” on this 1961 Ford F-100 Unibody pickup, it appears to be part of the overall scheme, or theme, of this truck. With the faded sign painted on each door, I’m sure it’s a great advertising piece. It makes me want to check out that business the next time I’m in Florida! The seller has it posted here on craigslist in North Sarasota, Florida and they’re asking $13,000. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Mitchell G. for the tip.
I go back and forth on faded paint and surface rust. I mean, patina. I can see where this is incredibly eye-catching, especially with the somewhat faded sign painted on the sides, but I’d most likely want to restore this truck back to how it would have looked from the factory, or at least as close to that as possible. Caribbean Turquoise and Corinthian White is a perfect Florida color scheme and it would look beautiful with fresh paint in those colors.
We’ve seen many Ford Unitized Construction (Unibody) pickups here on Barn Finds over the years and they really could have changed everything if a bit more engineering had gone into making them rock-solid, body integrity-wise. They were only made for about three years, 1961 through about halfway through 1963 and I’ve only seen a handful of them in person. I know where an F-250 version has been parked for two decades and I dream about somehow snagging it.
The seller has done a bit of work inside but the photos aren’t the best, unfortunately, so it’s hard to see everything. There are four interior photos but they’re all detail shots other than this one. This truck is now apparently fitted with an automatic transmission but we aren’t given any particulars so your guess is as good as mine what it is. They still have the original three-speed manual, and this one doesn’t have AC, almost a must in Florida summers.
The Ford 292-cu.in. OHV V8, with around 170 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque from the factory, was rebuilt 2,500 miles ago and it sends power through an automatic now, and back to the rear wheels. It looks great under the hood but with V8 power and being in Florida, I’d be adding Vintage Air asap. They don’t say how it runs other than it has a good rumble, and I’m guessing it works great. There are new shocks, a new radiator, a new manual steering box, new carpet, LED lighting, and more. Hagerty is at $14,300 for a #3 good-condition example, what’s your offer?
I’d snatch this up in a hurry if I wasn’t so deep in other projects…
Wonder how jacked up the lowering job is???
Finger photo … +10
I’ve owned a ‘61 F100 short box, and a ‘63 F100 long box. Dad owned a ‘61 F100 short box with wraparound rear glass, and a ‘61 F250 long box. I’d love to own this truck. I’d like to show it the respect of a paint job. Sadly, too many projects, too few dollars, and FL is as far as you can get from WA in the lower 48.
Back in ’68, when I was a lot younger, they called “Unicabs”.
I’ve had about 4 unibody’s. Couple 6, couple V8. Couple big back windows. Interesting concept, and yes, I did had a ranch friend who could jam the doors shut when hauling a horse or hay through uneven pastures. Even popped a windshield out once. This one looks good, needs paint.
I have driven that truck, my cousin owns it. It’s rust free and runs and sounds great, and stops quick and straight. The frame and front & rear end are original. All the rust patina is painted on, and it looks better in person. It’s tight and you can not go anywhere without 2 thumbs up. I know my cuz is unloading some stuff due to personal reasons and I’m pretty sure he paid more than he’s asking. Good price and truck!!
Help, I’m trapped in my Unibody Ford. It’s odd these were called “unibody”, as a contradiction of terms, unibody has no frame. While the one piece cab and box did result in some stress cracking, usually it was overloading that kinked the doors, and was rare. While a/c would be a popular item, something like P/S and an automatic would make it a lot friendlier to drive. I read, it failed because while it claimed 16% more cargo space,it wasn’t what people wanted, plus the Econoline was new and the Ranchero, another unitized body, weren’t selling well, apparently farmers wanted a conventional type pickup, consarnit.
I’m with Rw. I wonder what the chassis work looks like. I had a ‘65 that the previous owner had lowered by cutting the coil springs. One of my buddies followed my wife and I to a show and said we looked like bobble head dolls when we hit any kind of bump and man did it ride hard! The problem was solved the next week with a Crown Vic front suspension. I would love to have this truck, but I the garage and is full.