On February 10, 1942, Ford Motor Company stopped civilian production to focus on the war, so 1942 models are uncommon and interesting (if not particularly valuable compared to, say, a ’46 model). For 1942, the Ford’s front end was restyled into what some call the “Jailbar” grille (for obvious reasons); I like the look, and it’s hard to go wrong with a Ford truck from the ’40s. This one is being offered for sale on eBay in Siloam Springs, Arkansas; it’s located at a hot rod shop, and the owner says that he “just turned 82 and [is] dumping all his cars and bikes.” If you like the worn-but-loved look of this ’42, the asking price is $18,000.
Ford offered four engine options in their 1942 models. The first was a 30-horsepower (or 40, depending on what you read) four cylinder based on the tractor engine in the 9N. (One still exists! Here’s an interesting thread on Ford Barn.) There was also an optional 90-horsepower six and two flathead V8s, a 90-horsepower (or 95, based on what you read) 221 and a 100-horsepower 239. Obviously, this is one of the V8s, although the seller doesn’t mention which one. What he does mention is that it has a set of aluminum Weiand cylinder heads (it is a hot rod shop, after all). It will also come with an Edelbrock dual-carburetor intake manifold, although it’s not currently installed. The engine has been rebuilt at some point, and it has been converted to a 12-volt electrical system and an alternator. These are worthwhile upgrades, but I can’t be the only person who would prefer a six-volt generator, can I? Can I?
The interior looks appropriate for an 83-year-old work truck, and I wouldn’t change much aside from the red paint on the shifter handle and the brake pedal. One item of note: Did somebody weld an extension on the brake pedal to extend the pad toward the tunnel, ostensibly to locate it closer to the accelerator? Maybe the red paint is playing tricks on me.
Although the bench seat has been replaced by something more modern, the original seat frame and springs will be sold with the truck. See the “Ford” cap in the bed? It covers a hole for the fuel filler; there’s a fuel cell in place of a standard fuel tank. It’s safer, I guess.
Aside from an old set of tires that the new owner will want to replace (I’d go with blackwalls on this truck, personally), the Ford is apparently ready to drive. It has a good clutch, transmission, and rear end. The oil pressure is good. The front end is tight. But is the price right? The seller’s website has it listed at $25,000, so it’s been reduced, and I don’t think $18,000 is out to lunch. What would you pay?
That intake manifold isn’t worth anything unless you want to move the alternator. Idelbrock makes a manifold with the two carbs just behind the original generator that doesn’t require all the work of relocating a bunch of parts. I’d keep the whitewalls and paint the bed.
I’m just getting into flatheads having just inherited my dad’s ’40. This one’s got me drooling. I love em used. And those heads. Perfect.
Think I’d leave it as it is and just drive it. Maybe use the original fuel tank as a backup to the fuel cell to increase the range and get rid of that goofy brake pedal thingy too. WTF
were they thinking? And while they may not have built any cars at Ford during the war, they cranked out thousands of trucks and Jeeps as well as the Consolidated B-24 Liberator bomber. True, you don’t see many ’42 pickups, but I have seen a few ’43s and one or two ’44s. Dad told me that they didn’t change anything on these trucks. They just kept cranking them out. He also said that he saw one that had a
4 cylinder in it. He went on to say that only the armed forces
got those and the one he saw belonged to a friend that bought it from the Army-Navy store in Bloomington. You just walked in and told Mr. Morgan you wanted to buy a war surplus pickup truck, and this is what you got–with a 4 cylinder in it. And when the truck was ready, he called you and you picked it up at his store. I’ll bet that’s how a lot of farmers replaced their worn out pickup trucks too. Nice old truck. Hope it tinds a good home.
We had a 1945 1-1/2 ton dump truck on our farm. It was bought used from a coal company. Coal was essential, so they were able to get a new truck. I loved that beast!
Nice truck, there’s not many of this style left in this good condition. Trucks were usually abused and worn out back when this one was new. The wood bed floor looks good but it originally came with a stamped metal floor. I wouldn’t change it back. There were some rear suspension improvements over the previous models too, like parallel rear springs to replace the single spring. I had a 46 like this and it had only one windshield wiper but I don’t see any wipers on this one. It only came with a tail light on the driver side too, but a tail light for the passenger side was optional. I like the changes that have been made to it but I hope the buyer doesn’t get too radical with improvements.
Ohhhhh, but the sound of a ford flat head, slightly souped up with duel exhaust……mama mia!
Great sounding motors. 👌
My first 4-wheeled vehicle was a ‘47 which is nearly identical to this one in appearance. The only immediate difference is the Ford script on the hood; prewar was cast and postwar was stamped. Anyways I’m the second owner and I went to school with the original owner’s kids. Hard to believe that I’ve owned that truck for 58 years now. Bought it from the Chevy dealer in ‘67 for $90 and drove it home. I had a dream about having one of every flathead V8 Ford pickup from ‘32 to ‘53. Might be able to realize that in die-cast but having only (2) full-size ones in my collection are about all I’m going to get. This one could certainly come to my place…
I’ve got one like this, titled as a 1945. I need to get it out there for sale as I have too many projects (285 at last count). Mine doesn’t run, I was thinking about $4500.
I completely agree with you, Aaron, about preferring that this truck was still 6 volt. I, too, am a purist. My ‘63 VW Beetle and my ‘46 Ford 2N tractor are both still 6 volt and I am keeping them that way!
You don’t get to crank that flat motor very long on six volts. That’s an eight cylinder engine. Ask me how I know. 12 volts spins the engine so much faster for a start. When I bought my 40 half ton it was tired and wasn’t happy to light many times. Even after I rebuilt it and I did mercury crankshaft and rods, isky bump stick. Hot weather 6 volt is a problem. That isn’t any 4 cylinder!