I talked to my local DMV and they told me:
1) titles started in 1973 so a 1953 wouldn't have one.
2) a registration usually is required to transfer ownership, but if I buy the vehicle without a registration the vehicle is technically my property after owning it(Hand written bill of sale)for a year.

 

This is the listing. Let me know what you guys think.
53 ford f100

 

It all depends on the price and how skilled/energetic you are. Being on the West coast I am a little spoiled when it comes to old tin and rust...this truck will need a lot of repair panels. I would also check the frame, it may just be the collapsed rear cab mounts but the frame looks high on one side. Good luck...

 

It's a good thing you like a project because if you go forward with this purchase, you'll have one. You asked about the typical rust for these trucks; you don't have to worry, this one's got it all. It appears the left cowl post has rusted from the rocker and is flapping in the breeze. Not a good thing. It may be a typical east coast truck, I don't know. But out west, that wouldn't even be a good $500 parts truck. The fenders appear to have extra large wheel openings and may not even be from a F-100, which means your tires will not fill the wheel wells properly and look goofy. In other words, you could be looking for another parts truck or buying replacements right off. Factor all this into the offer. My 2c.

 

Thanks guys. Comments are good either way, good or bad. Its about a hour ride away, so its maybe still worth a look. At least now i will have more knowledge when i go out there.

 

As I told you in my earlier post, the son is correct, in NY state it would not have a title, but it would have a transferable registration. If the father is the last registered owner and does not have the registration (lost or misplaced) NY will require him to re-register it to be issued a new one.

EDIT: I just looked at the ad, that appears to be in CT. not New York, you had better check with CT DMV to see what their requirements are. Also, when you spoke with NY DMV, did you tell them it was a CT vehicle, that would make a big difference.

 

I did tell them it was a CT vehicle. They said they wouldnt even care if it was stolen!?

 

Anyone at DMV (or county clerks office) that told you THAT should be fired!

 

I know, i couldnt believe what i was hearing. That was after i asked if i should take the vin# to the police dept to see if was reported stolen or anything like that before i bought it.

 

How skilled at body work are you? That's going to require about 1K in patch panels and 6 months of work for a skilled restoration body man. If you aren't skilled or interested in learning it would be about 10 - 12K to have it done, this does not include paint or any mechanicals.
If you are very mechanically inclined, have a well equipped shop and some equally mechanically inclined friends that will regularly lend a hand for beer and pizza This truck is realistically going to cost 12 -15K and take 3- 10 years to ever see the road again. Not as a show truck, but just as a 20 footer driver. Not trying to discourage you, just telling it from a lot of experience the way it is so you can go in with both eyes open to what you are undertaking.

 

I think you should ask at another DMV office preferably at the headquarters in Albany, NYS is not noted for being a title laundering or stolen vehicle transfer state. There are a lot of records of owners successfully claiming stolen vehicles that surfaced many years later in another state. There was just one in the current issue of Street Rodder magazine.

 

Although CT does not require title for vehicles older than 1981, the current owner can apply for a title for $25.00. Otherwise, if he has the last registration for the truck or the receipt for when he turned in the registration. Otherwise I would not buy it for anything other than a parts truck.

 

Yea. I agree with you guys. Im not going to pull the trigger on this truck. I will look for a more suitable candidate.

 

The truest words in this hobby are, buy the cleanest truck to start with that you can afford. It is SO much cheaper in the long run, and you can be driving it a lot sooner. Here is a sampling of trucks out here, keep in mind $800 spent on shipping is worth it to avoid fighting a rust bucket "bargain truck".

1955Ford pick up
1957 Ford F-100 Truck
1955 f-1
1949 ford F-1

 

If I lived pretty close to that truck, and had the time, I'd go look at it regardless. Those two cats leaning on that trailer in that one pic look like they'd be "interesting" to talk to. But, otherwise, listen to the guys and your own instincts.......keep looking.