Forum member’s F-1 project is still a work-in-progress, but we are certain that the end result will be amazing!
Over the course of the past year, Ford Truck Enthusiasts forum member “Splash440” has been walking us through his frame-off restoration of a 1951 Ford F1 pickup. Based on his most recent update, he still has a long way to go, but the results of his efforts thus far have been nothing short of incredible.
The Introduction
Back in January 2017, the OP introduced us to his new-to-him 1951 Ford F1 pickup. As you can see in the first images, the truck was in very rough shape when he got it, leaving little room for anyone aside from a full, frame-off restoration. Fortunately, that was what the OP had in mind, meaning that this battered old Ford F-Series was going to get a new lease on life.
I recently purchased a 51 F1 and plan to restore it to mostly original condition with the exception of safety upgrades. I would love to have my grandfather’s truck, but it has long since been sold for scrap metal. I have the paperwork for multiple years (registration, repairs etc.). This at least allowed me to know the details on the truck. After some time I found a truck identical in every way to my grandfather’s truck.
VIN Number: F1H1NR25284
Gross Weight: 4700
Wheel Base: 114
Horsepower: 87
Horsepower at RPM: 3100
Transmission: 3 speed
Gear Ratio 3.92
Color Code M (Meadow Green)
Production Code 23L602
My plan is to keep the flat six but add some period correct performance items such as a split exhaust and intake manifold. I am not new to car restoration but this is the first, Ford, Truck and Flathead.
So it begins…
That first post included a dozen photos of the truck in its poor state of repair, showing some rust on a fairly solid body, although the bed was trashed and there was some sheet metal in need of replacing elsewhere on the antique Ford truck.
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.
