Technical who has (or is interested in) F-1 panel trucks?

I'm interested in swapping information and/or stories.

I've had my 1948 panel truck since February, 1973.

Also, if you know of any of these resting in salvage yards please speak up.

 

Surely Clarence isn't the only one belonging to a hamber. I didn't realize how few there are 'til I started researching it. I don't think that they were particularly low production when new but apparently not many have survived.

 

Got a buddy that has some.

 

I had a '52 many years ago, traded a cord of firewood for it. It was hit really hard on the rt side so I ended up parting it out. Used a lot of parts on my F-1 and still have the engine/ trans(215).
Sorry, I don't have any pics.

 

I have always liked them and had a buddy that had one about 25 years ago. If I were to run across one for a decent deal, I would likely own it. I do know where a 42-47 panel is sitting in a buddies garage, but so far, it isn't for sale. I like the F1's better anyway.

 

I had one years ago. I got as far as installing an Olds engine and trans. I sold it when I moved to Oklahoma.
I would like to have another but that also goes for a cabover, flatbed and an F-5. lol

 

I know a guy locally that has been trying to find parts for a 59 for panel. We both know another guy that has been trying to sell a 58 panel. i think those two should spend more time talking.

 

I know of a guy in O'Fallon Mo. that has (or had) one he was wanting to sell.

 

My mate has this one for sale cheap in uk.

 

Thanks for the invite Atch. I've had my '48 F panel for just over 20 years. It was. Just going to be an as is daily driver/swap meet truck. Then I picked at a rear quarter bondo bubble. Then there it was totally blown apart, body off the frame, drive train out, etc etc. I've worked off and on for the last 20 years, mostly off. It's probably sat for the last five years without being touched. The frame and suspension are sandblasted and painted. The body work is 90+ % finished. Just got back on it this week and it feels good. Currently mounting the Toyota 4x4 pickup power steering box and headers and making new motor mounts to clear everything. Also checking boxes of used parts and four shelves of new parts so I know what I have and not buy any more duplicates. I've only done that twice or so. It has a Ford 289/AOD. That's my story and I'm stickin to it.

Lee

 

@Grandadeo,

Keep pluggin' away and keep us posted.

This thread rested for a year so maybe someone new is seeing it. So, as I said in the first post "...if you know of any of these resting in salvage yards please speak up."

There are some panel truck only parts on these things that seem to be made out of unobtanium and it surely would be nice to know where any of these parts could be found.

 

There's a 40 something Ford panel truck, Dolly Madison delivery, still has the lettering on it, in a ravine not far from me. It's been there for a long time. Not enough left to drag it out. But it hurts my soul knowing it's there, all alone...

 

I’m pretty sure I knew you had this Lee but had forgotten about it. Looking forward to seeing it done.

 

...oops...

 

You going to have Clarence at the SK500 @atch?

 

@Lloyd's paint & glass

Lloyd,

Think you'd have time at Lloydstock to show me where it is? I'm hoping/praying/crossing fingers that Clarence will be on the road by then.

Or could you take/post a pic next time you're near there?

 

@guthriesmith

Doesn't look possible. Even if every star lined up just so so I don't think it'll happen. I plan to be there though, in a late model.

Clarence is registered though and I have my hotel room. Lookin' forward to being there, meeting up with friends, and making more new friends. When I registered in 2022 for 2023 I assumed Clarence would be done. Well, you know how that goes.

 

Understood Mike. It will be good to see you again anyway even without Clarence.

 

It's story time Atch lol, me and a buddy were hanging at the shop when a guy comes in and starts talking old cars, he says he knows where there's an old Ford panel truck in the woods, been sitting for years, as long as he can remember. We told him to take us to see it. Next county over, in the middle of nowhere, we get on this farm, drive until we can't drive any further, then we get out of the truck and walk, and walk. Then finally, sitting over on a ravine, with a creek running under it, sits what I'd guess is a 46-47 Ford panel. We slid down the hill to get a good look, but the only thing good about it was the worn out lettering on the sides and rear doors. So I can talk to the guy that took us up there if you'd wanna go back in there, but there's not much left.

 

If it's a '47 or older there probably won't be anything I would need. Is the frame/running gear still there, even if toast?

If it's a '48 - '52 there might be some interior stuff I could use, even if in poor condition.

However, maybe we should just discuss in person when I'm down there. If it takes that long to get in there I'm sure that the Lloydstock weekend won't be doable.

 

Funny Jeff, I kinda forgot about it too. Several times.

Lee

 

Picked up a 52 quite a few years ago and have done absolutely nothing with it except putting it in the barn with all the other un-started projects.

 

Nice trucks. I would like to have a 57 Ford panel truck to go with my 57 F100.

 

I get you Lloyd,
Funny, maybe, but that thread of Sitting and Rotting never sees me, I don'r see it

 

I've always had an interest in panel trucks and sedan deliveries, of all makes. I've never yet come across one I could afford or could justify for business reasons.

Devin

 

This was mine, taken in the early 70's before I got it on the road. Got it usable later that year and it was a daily driver until the engine failed in early '78. Work truck, hauled motorcycles and anything else I could stuff in the back. Freeway, county roads and logging roads. It had come from a friend who had started the project and then moved out of state. He and his dad had installed an Olds 394 in it, getting mounts made and driveshaft cut, but it needed everything else to run. I ended up putting an early Hydro in it after the later Olds trans. failed. Fun truck with enough power to surprise a few people on the freeway...

 

I had a good friend who had a really nice '58 F100 version, I lost track of it when he passed away. Out here, panel trucks are very scarce, I cannot recall the last time I saw an "F" version, but there is a '46 Chevy in a junkyard about 45 miles south of me.

 

Anything new on this front?

@Grandadeo?

@Mike Miller?

Bueller?

Anyone?

 

Here's the latest update I posted on the "What are you working on thread "

Finally, the transmissions are swapped out, the trans crossmember and mount are bolted in place. And the engine is leveled up and centered. Now I can start on the new engine mounts to clear the headers and steering box. But first I need to mount the fan, radiator support, and new radiator to make sure there's no more surprises.