A Guide to Selecting a Project Truck - Continued
All Makes

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FORD: 1930's to mid 1940'S

These trucks are hard to find! Most of the good examples have already been restored or converted in to Street Rods. These trucks have very small cabs and are of simple construction. Most of all the early trucks have mechanical brake systems prior to 1939. Many of these trucks will be V8 powered, although 4 cyl and 6 cyl engines were available. Do to the popularity of the '39 -'41 models, there is an abundance of aftermarket parts and accessories. If you can find a sock running example, it will be costly to obtain. A stock restoration is your best investment on these trucks.

POST WAR FORDS, '46-'49

The 1946-49 trucks are a rehash of the pre-war trucks. Parts and materials for restoration are fair to good. The F-1's restyled cab is still not very popular. This are good service trucks, but there ride is poor.

FORDS of the 50's& 60's:

The 1953-56 F-100, known as "The" Ford collector truck. This is Ford's first modern truck with a large cab and modern engine. The strong points of this truck are it's tremendous popularity and the large amount of parts to make them like new.  If any truck can be identified as the most popular collectors truck, it has to be the 1953-56 F-100.  Their weak areas are the brakes, suspension and steering. These areas will almost certainly be wore out many miles ago if you find an untouched truck. Production of these trucks was high and many survived. You can still find these trucks at a fair price. In the rust belt of America, check carefully, as no truck is immune to the rust devil. The doors and lower cab areas are the first to go. For some reason, rust is a problem above the windshield area as well.

Fords of the late 50's and 60's are not very popular today due to their styling. Still, they are very good trucks, strong and dependable, with excellent mechanics. Many have survived due to their toughness. Single beam axles were used until the Twin I beam came into service in middle sixties. The Twin I beam trucks are much more preferred due to the improved ride and handling. From a collectors standpoint, these trucks are starting to catch on. Parts are fair, you can still get most through local parts houses or the dealer.

The Ford Unibody experiment in the early 60's, was unique, but these slab sided Fords were so unconventional that they may never be popular as a collector vehicle.

The 1967-72 F-100's are just now starting to come on strong as collectable trucks. These trucks are well built, tough and ride very well. Equipped with the Twin-I-Beam front axle, these trucks are very comfortable to drive. The toughness of these year trucks make them excellent daily drivers.  One weakness is the exhaust systems and steering sectors. The large FE block 360 and 390 are notorious for exhaust manifold leakage. Steering sector problem still plagued Ford into these trucks. Good example high mileage truck should not be frown on. These truck are tough!

From here on 73's-80's, there is not much interest from a collectors stand point. These are fine work trucks and at this point are generally uncollectable at this time. But, don't pass on a good example, these truck will rise in value as good examples become scarce. [more]

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