Hello!

I am going to look at a nice looking (in the pictures) 62 F100 step side in red tomorrow night. I don't know a whole heap about the trucks (am english, not many of these where I come from). Am prepared for awful brakes, the solid front axle, no power steering or AC and for things to randomly fail / fall off the damn thing when it's inconvenient for them to do so......

.....So bearing all that in mind, the thing's going to cost me $2000, which I think is a decent price given that it's currently roadworthy (new brakes, clutch, tires 6months old etc) and has been painted in the last 5 years - looks just scruffy enough - but not too bad, what am I letting myself in for? It's going to be a daily driver in the winter (phoenix winters aren't too harsh) and I'll be doing about 20 miles a day in it. It's the in-line 6. Is there anything out of the ordinary that I should be looking for when I go tomorrow night? Apart from all the obvious stuff, smoke on start up, weird ticks / knocks / oil pressure and operating temp etc. I'm a little nervous, I've never bought a 47 year old car before...



It's almost this tidy. But red....

Sorry for the rambling.....

 

Welcome aboard, May I suggest that since you seem to like that body style, keep looking for a 65 or 66. About the only visual difference in the years will be the grill, but the not seen is greater. I checked your profile and you are in the land of solid old trucks, so finding a good 65/66 shouldn't be too hard.

Going from 64 to 65 is like going from darkness into the light. All of the creature comfort upgrades become cheap donor bolt on rather than high price after market.

David aka Garbz is out there too and can help find one too.


John

 

Thanks for the advice. So the pre 65 ones aren't a good bet? It does seem real cheap for what it's supposed to be. I was thinking of keeping it for the winter and flogging it on for around $3500 in the spring, if the economy's better. The plan was to get into something 8cyl with p/s a/c and brakes then. I've seen running 65's in the same condition - and scruffier - than this up at $3500 - $6000. That I can't afford at the moment. $2k's about my limit.

Iain

 

65 Ford F100 Stepside Pick-up



I mean, they can't be serious, surely? I these things are worth this, I'm gonna start flipping em.

 

Welcome to FTE

Look at the bright side (pun intended), Ford Trucks do not have Lucas Electrical parts!

Flareside = Ford / Stepside = Chevrolet

Whoever is selling that ratty 1965 F100 in Phoenix is either suffering from dreams of grandeur, or has the decimal point in the wrong place.

$550.00 would be about right for this old rolling pile of miseries.

Look around, much nicer trucks than this pile can be bought for one hell of a lot less.

Suggest you join the AZ FTE Chapter, which has two very helpful members that own these trucks: Garbz2 (Dave) in Glendale, Bill W in Tucson.

 

While the 65-66 is arguably a better truck, there's nothing essentially wrong with a 61-64. If your only goal is to drive it, have a bit of fun, and flip it next year the desire for the newer, softer, bigger cab 65-66 diminishes. Particularly in an area with smooth roads, the solid axle isn't that hateful. The somewhat more cramped cab either fits you fine or it doesn't.