1950 Ford F5 Tow Truck Perfect for Work or Play

Work Life

Of the many trucks used for tough jobs out there in the world, few work as hard as the humble tow truck. Since the very first car broke down, folks have realized that there's money to be made helping those stranded motorists get their vehicles back home or to a repair shop. And we're betting that this stunning, restored 1950 Ford F5 for sale at the St. Louis Car Museum has done more than its fair share of that in its lifetime.

Preservation Job

According to the seller, this Ford was left in Kansas once its serviceable life was over. But thankfully, some kind soul came along and rescued it, preserving all the characteristics that made it such a great rig in the first place. 

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Full Refresh

That included a full mechanical refresh, including brakes, ignition, exhaust, fluids, fuel system, electrics, and pretty much everything else. The original drivetrain was replaced with a much more capable 1970-vintage 302/4-speed manual combo, however. 

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Display Only

Sold as a bedless commercial truck, this particular Ford F5 was fitted with a custom piece from the Butler Manufacturing Company. The original chain-driven PTO-operated towing apparatus was no longer functional, so it's been replaced by a handmade boom that's described as being suitable "for display purposes only." 

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Looking Good

But truthfully, this old tow truck deserves to enjoy retirement on the cushy show circuit, anyway. The classic white finish still looks fantastic, despite being a little old in the tooth. And everything else you'd expect from a vintage tow truck is intact and present, too. 

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Comfy Confines

The interior looks no worse for wear, either, despite the fact that the seller reportedly hasn't touched it. We're betting that it has been redone somewhere along the line, however, as it sure looks to be in great shape. 

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Built to Work

The interior looks like any average F-Series cabin from this era, which isn't really a surprise. Back in these days, Ford didn't bother to differentiate them much or try to add too many luxurious features. Mostly because these trucks were just built to work. 

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Rough and Tumble

You couldn't tell from the outside, of course, which packs features like a large front push bumper, rear and front spotlights, cab lights, and a toolbox. Not to mention a set of large commercial wheels and beefy (for the era) tires. 

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Full Monty

After plucking this old truck from Kansas, the seller did refresh it quite a bit. They added the vinyl graphics, which are a nice touch. They also repainted the wheels, added new tires, and completed a full list of maintenance to ensure that it runs and drives properly. 

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Just Right

And to be honest, that's pretty much all this old Ford needed. It doesn't require a full 100-point restoration or fancy paint. You wouldn't expect that kind of stuff on a tow truck, and we think that it's just perfect without it! 

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For help with your maintenance and repair projects, please visit our How-to section in the forum.