1965 Ford F-250 Could Be Your Custom Hot Rod Cruiser

Antique Ford F-250 has a 352-cubic inch V8, a manual transmission and unique paint.

Ford trucks from the 1960s have become nearly as popular as the muscle cars from that era. The problem is that finding something like a clean F-250 from that era can be very difficult. Remember, back in the 1960s, most people who were buying trucks actually used them like trucks that towed, hauled and dealt with rough footing getting to and from the jobsite. As a result, many of the three-quarter-ton trucks from the 1960s were literally worked into the ground, but not all of them.

While flipping through the listings for the upcoming Scottsdale 2020 Barrett-Jackson auction, we found the 1965 Ford F-250 shown above. While this truck has not been heavily modified, it has all of the credentials to be a great cruiser, with the features needed to classify as a hot rod.

Bright Green 1965 F-250

The details on this 1965 Ford F-250 are short, but here is what we know. This truck is powered by a 352-cubic inch FE V8, which is the original engine. Back in 1965, it offered 208 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, but this engine does not appear to be stock. In the one engine bay picture, we can see an aftermarket Holley carburetor and a modern ignition system. We also know that it has dual exhaust, so this old school V8 might be making more power than stock. Power is sent to the rear wheels by means of a 4-speed manual transmission.

The interior of this 1965 F-250 has been restored to original, but there are some custom touches. In addition to the unique, bright green paint from the exterior being carried inside, this classic Ford has a modern radio and a skull for a shift knob. There is also a newer gauge on the steering column and a newer switch under the dash, but we don’t know what that switch does.

Finally, this antique F-Series has spray-in bed liner and air shocks, so it likely rides and handles better than it did when stock.

Ready to Cruise

If you have been looking for a Ford truck from the 1960s that is ready to serve as a great cruiser, this F-250 is hard to beat. Since it doesn’t feature a modern running gear, it shouldn’t be terribly expensive at auction, especially with this unusually bright paint scheme. The old 352 FE V8 combined with the manual transmission should make this truck fun to drive while the dual exhaust provides a little rumble.

This F-250 might not win many drag races, but it will draw a ton of attention at any classic car show in the world. Click here for a closer look and for more information on the Scottsdale auction.

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Patrick Rall

"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.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

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