This 1936 Ford V8 Pickup is a wonderful classic deserving of a new home. It was owned by the one family for fifty years, spending the last few years hibernating in a dry garage. This gem runs and drives, needing only minor brake work to be considered genuinely roadworthy. The seller has listed the Ford here on Craigslist in Great Bend, Kansas. You could take home the fantastic flathead for $16,500.
The seller states that the previous owner, a genuine centenarian, stopped driving this Ford several years ago. It has hibernated ever since, but seems none the worse for the experience. Its Gunmetal Gray paint looks consistent across the exterior, maintaining a pleasant shine and showing no patchiness. The panels are as straight as an arrow, and the seller states that this Pickup has never suffered from rust issues. The Stakebed looks exceptional, with polished timber and stainless-steel joiner strips. The wood isn’t scratched or scraped, and there is no developing rot. The glass shows no evidence of cloudiness, and the trim is comfortably acceptable for a driver-grade classic. The wheels are an acquired taste that I find unappealing. That is a matter of personal taste, and you may disagree. It is the varying opinions that make classic debates so entertaining.
Ford introduced its legendary flathead V8 in 1932, with the first generation 221ci powerplant remaining in production until 1936. This Pickup would have been one of the last to feature that motor, and while it produced a fairly respectable 65hp at its 1932 release, the 221 boasted 85hp in 1936. This Ford pairs the flathead with a three-speed manual transmission, and a previous owner updated the brakes to hydraulic operation. The seller states that after its slumber, this Pickup runs and drives. The brakes require work to operate correctly, but it appears that is all that stands between this gem and the open road.
This Pickup’s interior is neat and serviceable, and would remain so for decades if treated respectfully. The bench seat sports a Gray vinyl cover that isn’t ripped or badly worn. I noticed what appears to be a developing seam separation on the outer driver’s side. However, a few stitches would fix it. It has matching door trims that look excellent, and the painted surfaces match the exterior shade. Lifting the appearance would be as simple as deep cleaning the rubber mat, addressing the minor seat issue, and restoring or replacing the cracked wheel.
There is something undeniably attractive about owning a pre-war classic. This is particularly true if it is a Ford with the company’s wonderful flathead V8 under the hood. This 1936 Stakebed Pickup ticks those boxes and is a classic that someone can enjoy without spending a fortune. The buyer could leave it cosmetically as-is, although I would probably source some period-correct wheels if I were the new owner. Alternatively, someone could throw caution to the wind by performing a total restoration. What path would you choose?
One nice truck, features a juice break upgrade and gentlemanly presentable except for the wheels. A set of chrome smoothies might do the trick.
I was thinking the “artillery” style wheels painted body color.
Very cool old truck. Being a retired commercial truck sales person. I particularly like the custom stake bed. Alot of thought went into the design and it came out quite nice.
I have the same truck in the 1937 version. Mine still has the wide five artillery wheels and the original brakes (that right not hydraulic). Ford actually made these rack body or (stake bed) trucks back in the day. Mine was used on the on the family farm maintaining the orchards of apples, plums, cherries and pears. Last registered for farm use in 1949. It sat in one of the barns on the property until the farm and land was sold off in 2019. I just started restoring the wheels so I could install new tires. It was given a new set of retreads in the early thirties and been sitting on the ever since.
I think that 1936 was the first year for artillery wheels as 32 thru 35 were wire wheels. Coker may have close reproduction artillery wheels. The ones on the truck “sort of” look like updated versions with stainless trim rings. If not wanting to spend the money they may look a little more like originals if painted body color, but the center cap might need painting too or changed.
WOW! Nice truck! Nice price! Won’t stick around long.
It’s a girl my Lord, in a flatbed Ford, slowing down to take a look at me,,normally I’m not a fan of these “Home Depot” rear end jobs, this looks incredibly well done. It’s tough to try and explain what a Ford V8 pickup was. With only minor mods, it could out run most cops, and the vehicle of choice for a hooligan. I,,,,would have had a V8 Ford pickup then. The background indicates a trucking company of some sort, and yep, this may have been dads truck, and the kids faced with a ton of restrictions say, the truck has to go. Too bad I just don’t see any attraction for the future.
Must have sold, posting is already gone. nice truck
A REAL HEAD TURNER.
The ad has been deleted by author. At that price it has probably been sold, with the phone continuing to ring off the hook.
Cool old truck with a lot going for it. I’m with Adam on the wheels. I did notice that the rear fenders have a notch (if you want to call it that) cut into the top to accommodate the flatbed. Only a problem if you want to go back to a pickup box.
Pretty sure the beds came from the factory like this, not a modification. I have a script bed setting here for sale, probably off a Model A truck.
The script flatbed is a pleasant variation on the familiar pickup theme, and I believe it to be original to the truck. They were available for nearly every size Ford truck from little half tonners like this, up to one and a half and two ton trucks. Many consider the script flatbeds and rack sideboards to be the best OEM bodies of their era (which lasted from the 20’s until the early 60’s, as I recall.) I don’t believe you can currently buy a light (half or three quarter ton) truck as a cab and chassis to fit a flatbed, and factory flatbeds are a thing of the past. Too bad–pickups (especially the 5 1/2 beds that seem so commonplace) aren’t of much use to many of us in the “real world” of work!
No cab/chassis on 1/2 tons but everyone has a 3/4 cab/chassis. (Besides 1 tons)
Is Script a brand name? I had never seen this style with the notched fenders. Not a huge fan of the height of the board sides. But it looks well done. Being a retired commercial vehicle sales guy. I have sold more trucks with flat beds than I can count. I wish I had a ,dollar for everyone that I sold. Wait a minute, I DO! (lol)
Gone as would be expected for that vehicle at that price in this market.
What a beautiful Truck!!!!! I hope the new owner appreciates what he has..
Artillery style wheels are available from Summit Racing also.
“Script” is the term I’ve heard used to describe the Ford OEM flatbed and rack bodies because they have a raised stamping of the old Ford logo centered between the end protectors for the long sills at the back of the body. It is visible in the gallery. The stakes and corner hardware appear to be original pieces as well, but the original sideboards we’re in two panels, at least on the 1 1/2 ton 1932 BB we had on the farm years ago. The half tonners like this had the odd fender/running board/side panel arrangement because they used a passenger car type drop-center frame, not the straight rails as on the larger trucks.
Too bad you didn’t post this one sooner ~ that thing could be sitting in my garage right now waiting for the brake situation to be taken care of and the steering wheel would be replaced with a wood wheel stained to match the bed.
I love this truck, but I, like Adam, would replace the ‘80s wheels with stock wheels and I would change the color to dark green with black fenders.
Five years ago I had the opportunity to buy a beautifully restored ‘36 Ford stake bed truck, but it was a 1-1/2 ton dually and it was dark green and black. It was a beautiful truck and it was a great deal and I wanted it really badly, but it would not fit in our garage or barn and I couldn’t afford to buy it and finish restoring my ‘62 Willys Wagon, so I let the Ford go. I’m still working on the Willys.