Well GM is all I really know but I like anything old. A guy approached me and has a 1951 F1 pickup truck for sale, solid truck but in pieces. I know nothing about these trucks, are they desirable? Do they look cool hot rodded? How is the parts availability, the same or worse than GM pickups of the same era? The truck has the painted grille with the 3 bullets in it, just hard to visualize it since it is all apart.
Search "ford f-1" and tons of threads will pops up. And yes they look baddass done correctly. Oh and prepare for a flaming.
F-1s are neat trucks. Like most late '40s early'50 pickups they need very little to make them Just Right
No, everyone on the HAMB hates them with a passion A hundred and sixteen pages of hate.... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=317676& A build thread on one that might give you some ideas.... www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=715567
It's a Ford man so go for it if you want something that's looks cool sitting in your driveway. But if you want to get out and see the U.S.A in style, Chevrolet is the only way to go.
Well, not like it is a slam dunk, some older stuff is considered desirable and some isnt, others taste may not be the same as mine. There was a post on a 42 chevy 2dr last week and the consensus is that they are not normally sought after, I thought it would make a cool cruiser. Anywho my main reason for asking is for parts availability, searching the net I do not see the coverage for parts like the chevy trucks have, at least for the 51 F1. Thanks for the link with all the pics!
If you need more convincing you'll find more here: http://www.fordtruckfanatics.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=5
that's too bad. i've never ordered anything from them. i can, however, attest to the quality and fit of stuff from carpenter and drake.
Same experience here. And their "good" stuff like tailgates and running boards are usually made by someone else and can be found cheaper elsewhere
There's plenty of early F1 builds,here's some reading. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=715567 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=255247 some in here http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=720828 I just got a 53 F1,i realy wanted an earlier one-but oh well....
i dont know about where your at but around here it dont matter if its ford chevy or anyother kinda truck.if its a old one and its runnin, its desireable.hell if they hotrod nashs ........
Are they desireable?? Are you looking to flip it or make it your own? Why ask us to decide if you find one desireable? And the search function is your friend.
I hope so. After I get my cab home that goes with my front clip, hoping it will be a quick sale. No telling when I am going to get the cab. Rod
Asking because desirability and popularity is a big factor on being to find parts, anyone who knows me knows I dont sell anything unless I have to so this is not a flip deal. I have never even looked at one before yesterday, like I said I do not deal with fords other than a 70 fastback mustang I built for a friend. That just tought me that I dont want to own a mustang. Most of the trucks I see hotrodded are NOT the style I am looking at, similar truck but not with the 3 tooth grille. Most look to be the 48-50 grille style or maybe a later one? The 51s with the 3 tooth grille seem to be restored to stock more than rodded, at least from the pictures I am finding. Not the prettiest truck stock IMO so looking for ideas to hot rod it, if it werent so solid I wouldnt even consider it. Thanks to all the guys with links for parts and forums, much appreciated! Last question is regarding the vin number. Truck has a tag riveted on the passenger side of the firewall in the engine compartment with a serial number. Is that the VIN? I have read that there is supposed to be a tag in the glove compartment with the VIN but I didnt check there since I didnt know about it. Which is correct for a 1951?
On my 51 the VIN is on a plate riveted to the inside of the glove box door, and also stamped into the top of the frame rail near the engine on the passenger side. The tag on the firewall is just a makers plate on mine. My low 51 F1 always gets lots of attention. It is completely updated with IFS and 4-link underneath, but looks stock inside and out. The grill you don't like is the thing people always comment positively about on mine - three Dagmars just scream the 50's, and nothing else on the road looks like it. Can't go to a gas station without someone or a group wanting to talk about it. 51-52's were cheap here 20 years ago, but now most have been parted out, restored or rodded - and go for a lot more money. Fenders, hoods, doors and some of the trim pieces are in demand since no one re-pops them in steel, and other bits including the steering gear, brakes, shock mounts and pedal assemblies are sought after by the builders of early cars. BTW, I like any old truck of any make and find that the guys around here who build and drive them have lots more in common than just the make. It's rare to see any truck older than 1960 on the road, so it's pure delight when we do.
F1 pick-ups grow on you. I happened into my 1950 F1 on accident. I had really wanted a 1954 or 1955 Chevrolet pick-up with a hydro. The Chevy didn't happen and the F1 did. I am having a great time making the Ford my own. I am currently working on lowering and cleaning up the chassis. Everything is what you make it. Some nice Mercury add-on parts and pieces do make them much more cool though....