1965 Ford F-350 Flat Bed is a Budget-friendly Workhorse Project

Get the engine running right and put this F-350 to work, or restore it and make a unique show truck.

The biggest complaint with the big, modern work trucks is that they are so expensive, but we wanted to remind you about this 1965 Ford F-350 Custom Cab that was once listed in the FTE Marketplace for just $1,800. This classic flatbed truck was only a good tune-up away from being a great work truck with plenty of hauling capacity and more character than anything available at the local dealership.

The Introduction

When “Mid-Engine F1TT” first introduced us to the 1965 Ford F-350 Custom Cab that he was selling in the Marketplace, he was fairly short-winded with the details.

In average condition for the year, rust on lower cab corners, some in bottom of doors. Runs and drives, idles rough.

Actual VIN is F35DR612327, not sure what was up with the listing tool.
Not sure about the mileage, that was what is on the OD.

352CI engine
10,000 GVW

We also knew from the listing that this antique F-Series work truck has a manual transmission and rear-wheel-drive, spinning four tires across the rear axle. We can see some rust around the bottoms of the doors, so the cab floor near the doors could be rusting as well, but for the most part, this old Ford looks pretty clean for a 53-year-old work truck. After all, it isn’t like this truck left the assembly line in the 1960s only to spend winters and rainy days in a garage like a classic car.

Put It to Work

At the time, it seemed like the only thing that is really “wrong” with this 1965 F-350 is the rough idle. A good tune-up might fix that, but even in the worst-case situation, a 302 or 351 from a junkyard with a mild build would be inexpensive and far more powerful than the current engine.

Once a big, antique Ford flatbed truck like this one is running right, it would make an awesome delivery truck or farm truck. Maybe clean up the body just a bit, add some company logos and this will be the most unforgettable delivery truck your customers will ever see.

Restore It

While cleaning this F-350 up for working use is the most logical idea, some new sheet metal, a little body filler and a good paint job could get a truck like this into car show quality. Once complete, this 1965 Ford truck would most certainly be one of the most unique vehicles at any car show or truck show in America. Add some new wheels, clean up the chrome trim bits and paint up the engine bay and this 1965 Ford F-350 would be ready for the spotlight.

Anyway, we just wanted to remind you of this cool truck and the sweet things you can find in the FTE Marketplace.

Join the Ford Truck Enthusiasts forums now!

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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