Thanks very much. That's definitely the plan, it will remain stock aside from perhaps a wiper motor upgrade and the addition of seat beats so my daughter can ride in it. The guy we got it from runs a hotrod shop in Greenfield, MA. He got it from a couple who found it in a barn with 36K original miles. He had planned to modified it but didn't have the heart, and though we discussed the 'Lead Sled' chop & lower approach from dad's day, we decided it was best left as-is. All it really needs is some re-chroming, new vacuum hoses for things like the antenna, and I need to fix the radio and sort out a short in the wiring. Oh yeah - and put the new radiator in. Best of all, it has a big ol' Ford truck engine in it: 337 flat head adpated for automotive use. It could use a paint job. Someone did the heads in MerCruiser blue.

Came across this bad boy t'udder night. When it rains, it pours:

1953 Ford F350 Longbed Truck

Straight 6 vs flathead V-8, and something leaking on the floor. Bucket under the front and meter on the seat. Can't tell if it has fresh paint or is just really well preserved. Interior color is different, so probably a repaint? Never heard back from the other two, and it's a lot closer to NC.

 

Want to sell me that 57 grill? need it all for street rod I'm building ,off the nose in the back PRETTY PLEASE!!!!!!I'm Desperate can you tell

 

The blue 53 is a repaint of an un-restored truck. The paint looks good in pictures but could hide a host of sins. Inspection in person is a must. It might turn out to be a nice truck.

I find it interesting that it is a six cylinder, column shift three speed F-350. That combination can't be too common.

 

I had a similar introduction to new for 53 features when I parted out the F-250 M-H referenced in my signature. It too was a 215 six with column shift 3HD tranny. It was a bare chassis when I found it so restoring it would have taken Devine inspiration and a donor body. Stu

 

Sorry for dredging up an old thread but I have questions about the 4000 number. Is that 4000 total 9 foot express and does that include narrow and wide bed? I parted a 58 years ago that had the 9 foot wide bed.

 

Hello WB3, I just read through this whole thread again last night. I really enjoyed it and got some great input from other members. Here's a link to production numbers. It is broken down between Flareside and Styleside. You'll notice a blank for 1957 F-350 Flaresides, so I'm assuming the total is similar to other years.

Sorry, not a link - you'll need to copy and paste: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1957-1960-ford-f-series5.htm

BTW, the bed on the donor truck is not as good as I had hoped. Bunch of goober welding around the back for a homemade grain gate. Will be tough to salvage... Also looking for a side mount spare bracket. Thanks, Dan

 

My truck was purchased In Tampa fl with a dealer option napco 4x4 convert

 

Cool, I think the F350 Napcos had the toughest stance of any one ton pickup back in the day.

Still haven't found anyone that can show me another 9 foot flareside pickup with a Napco conversion. Apparently, there were a couple of 9' stylesides that were seen over the years.

Good luck with your truck. I could picture it with six bias-ply mud tires on it!

 

Love your truck. Interesting combo of single style shallow dished Budds on the front with DRWs out back. Those fronts would more commonly be found on IHCs or Power Giants. Agree some traction tires would look good. Stu

 

Stu, Nice to see you again. It took an hour, but I just re-read the entire post. Really enjoyed it, and I think a few other people did also at the time. It's still my only post, and I'm ashamed to say I haven't started the Napco project yet. I keep getting distracted by Dodges. I'm actively trying to get this factory Fargo W300 into my collection. 6800 original miles, factory DRW, 9' box, small window, my favorite front sheet metal, etc. And it's got a HEMI..! My holy grail.


Also have serious hots for this W500 grapple crane, as one of my other hobbies is collecting glacial erratic boulders.

Could get bigger boulders...



I think the "W" Dodges would compliment my D300 collection


Nice to know you are still out there helping people with your amazing knowledge of wheels. I learned so much from that thread, and thank all that contributed. I miss it, but I sure have a lot more time now... If you think you know of someone who would be seriously interested in the Napco and restoring it to original, I would talk to them. It's currently in the only space where I could put the running, driving, and functioning W500 grapple truck.


Regards, Dan

 

Hi Dan. Good to hear from you again. Hope the Fargo finds a nice new home. Have you followed our member OCDResto and his fire truck restorations? I've seen his Lil Mo Power Wagon during its restoration. It's impressive. Stu