Hey all, just picked up another project, this time around a 77 f100 flare side shortbed, original air, 302, c-4, pulled it out of a barn and its covered in bird crap, dust, and mouse debris. However no holes in floor, good cab mounts and cab corners, its got the entire front end end removed, fenders, inner fenders, core support, hood, the entire bed is disassembled and removed from the frame, PO was "gonna" restore it, and it sat like this for almost 10 years. Takin a better look at it today I noticed a tag in the driver door jamb, that said something to the effect of "This vehicle has been altered 3/77 by Midas International somethin somethin somethin"
What alterations did "Midas international do and why"?

 

nice man, just picked up a 77 f100 myself. yours sounds nicer though. curious, what did you pay?

 

Im gonna take a shot in the dark here and say maybe it was took to midas and the tire size changed or dual exhaust or something was installed? Kinda how some of the lift kits come with a sticker saying it's been modified. But like I say im just guessing

 

Well, Ill try to post some pics here soon, I paid $400 and everyone says I got a steal. The tag in the jamb looks pretty official, I cant really see them putting a tag like that on there for dual exhaust or something, Im not sure, Ill try to post a pic of the tag soon

 

damn thats quite a steel. put up some pics!

 

ok, cant figure out how to post pics here but, if you wish I took a couple cell phone pics and put them on my profile in an album, Ive researched alot and still cant find any definitive information on midas alterations to fords, any body else have any ideas?

 

Since Midas was known for brakes and exhausts I would look at both of these areas for non standard parts. Could be the brake linings were changed out to special lining or the exhaust system was modified. Is the cat on the truck? Could have been removed for off road? Cats had a reputation for setting grass on fire back then. Could have been restored to stock at some later date also.

 

sweet find i have a 77 flare side short bed as well. i love mine, im in the process of re-restoring it right now.

 

there was a Midas company that did van conversions back then.

 

My bet. Maybe a farm truck (don't say if it is 4x4) but I bet it has something to do with exhaust changes, probably removing some emissions equipment.

 

hmmm. It is a 4x2, it has duals on it but definetely not original, they look like they were put on right before the truck was torn apart, interesting other thing frame is almost free of surface rust. The truck is a sky blue now, but was obviously red from the factory, however, whoever repainted it took the time to do an extensive color change ( I work in a body shop so I know what it takes) the interior was also changed to the blue (midas conversion?) its weird that they went to the extent they did to do a color change, they didnt miss anything on the truck except the firewall directly behind the engine and the front of the door hinge pillar. The rest is blue, bottom of steps, back of cab, all bed panels inside and out, cab floor, kick panels, everything, also has blue dash pad and sunvisors. Next step is to get it running.

 

maybe thats some sort of midas warrenty tag. i know my dad had some mufflers with a midas lifetime warrenty on them.

 

I'm sure that tag was for aftermarket dual exhaust. You got a similar tag with Crane camshafts back in the day too. Usually, nobody put them on unless you lived in an area with an over-achieving cop that liked to bust people for illegal modifications. That tag says it's a modification, but legal. Sand it off and forget about it.