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Old
Ford trucks: restoration
keeps them going forever
Old
Ford trucks started selling like hot cakes in the late 1940's and there
was a time when they almost dominated the whole pickup truck scene all
over the world. And they're still up there at the number one position
among the best selling vehicles in the United States. In fact, Ford has
sold more F-series trucks than any other automaker has sold any other
model of car or truck in the history of the automobile. How's that for
success?
| A big difference between
old Ford
trucks and the
other pickups was the engine. In 1932 Ford developed the now famous V-8
Flathead engine while every car made was using either a
straight 6 or 4 cylinder engine. The Flathead V8 was another Henry Ford
revolution. This engine was powerful and produced a sound that still
mesmerizes every car lover in the world! The only problem with V8s
today is the high price of gasoline... |
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The models produced in the 1930's and 1940's
are at the top of the list of trucks transformed into hot rods
in America. Look at the two models below and you'll understand why.
They look good and they project that macho image that
everybody loves. The great popularity of Ford models makes for a good
availability of restoration parts.
In 1953 Ford redesigned its pickup line and came up
with a totally different truck. Along with the changes in design they
also decided in favor of a new designation for the models of their trucks, which went from F1 to
F100. And the basic model was kept for four years, with only
minor modifications from year to year. The front axle was set back from
the previous position and that made the truck look completely different
from everything else on the road and it became a
real
classic. It's not too easy but in the listings of
pickups for sale
you can find old Ford trucks in their
original condition like this one.
If I ever get a chance
of buying a second classic pickup truck this is the model I will be
looking for. Along with the 1948 F1, this model is one of the most popular among old Ford
trucks.
How to Restore Your Ford Pick-Up (Motorbooks Workshop)
MERCURY TRUCKS
In the late 1940's Ford of Canada started selling pickups with the
Mercury brand name on them. They were basically the same Ford pickup
trucks sold in the United States but didn't have the Ford name
anywhere. They were Mercurys. Even the model names were changed from F1 or F2, etc. to M1, M2 and so on.
The last Mercury truck was made in
Canada in 1968.
After that Mercury dealers went back to selling the same Ford trucks
that Ford dealers sold both in Canada and the United States.
Old Ford
and Mercury trucks are
relatively easy to work on due to their simplicity and to the fact that
there are many parts dealers who stock almost everything you would need to
maintain one of these pickups. A good place to look is
National Parts
Depot, a large company with four fully stocked warehouses in the United States.
They have parts for old Ford trucks and they ship all over the world.
There are many
options for a good restoration of classic Ford trucks,
but we would suggest that you get in touch with the
Dennis Carpenter company, located in Concord, NC, not
too far from the Lowe's Motor Speedway. They have a
large stock of parts for
old Ford trucks
from the 1930's to the 1980's.
Ford Clubs
are another good source of information on classic Ford
pickups over the Internet. Search Google for Ford Clubs
and you will find a whole bunch of them with information
on trucks for sale, parts, restoration, events and more.
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