I have a major dilemma. On Monday of last week I acquired a 64 f 100 step side (shorty) with a 292, 3 speed manual and a majorly grinding throw-out bearing that the owner thought was the rearend going bad. The guy was in such a hurry to be rid of the truck he gave me the truck and $1000 bucks for an old 68 mustang body I had, and he was selling the truck in the auto trader here in Dallas! The old F is straight and only has 1 bad spot in the passenger side bed fender well, about 3 x 6 inches where he had started to grind the rust out to good metal. There are the normal dings and a minor door ouchie courtesy of a blue hair at the local Walmart (I found 2 good doors from a guy in the same Auto Trader for $30 with glass). And some knuclehead spot welded a metal plate in the bed, but all things considered not a bad starting spot at all!!! Now comes the dilemma. On Wednesday this week my 19 year old son went to inquire about a set of Cragars attached to a 59 F 100 short step side, that he wanted to swap/purchase to put on the 64. (I had tried to buy this truck on 3 different occasions, the last of which I was told that the owner was selling it to a family friend for $2000 !) The guy looked at my son and said, "I'll sell wheels tires truck & all for $500 dollars". Now the 64 is clean, but the 59 is CLEAN! The steering box is shot on the 59 and the back glass is spider webbed but after 30 min on the Internet my son had found both locally for $200 total, and we got to check the box out on the donor truck before it was removed! The bottom line is I am now the perplexed owner of two projects with financing for only one. Since this is my first entry into a 40 year old project I'm looking for input on my odds of survival....................? I love the 64 (my dad had one) but the 59 is RARE in these parts, and it is Sooooooo sweet. Which do I sacrifice for the good of the others? 64? 59? Job? Family?

 

Cole1,
I have a '59 Styleside. It has been harder to find parts for it than most other generations of F-100's. So on that account, I'd suggest opting for the '64. But, yes, the '59 is a bit rarer and sounds like it's in better shape to start with than the '64. But then, the '64 has the sentimental value thing working...

Decisions, decisions...

Daryl

 

It sounds by your post that you already know which truck you want to build. Save the other one, and finish as time permits.

GO WITH THE 59!

 

It looks like you have a keeper there. Your son, that is.
J

 

You do the 64 and let your son do the 59. What a great father son project.

 

I agree with cobraguy. Why not do both as time permits? You two will be a pair for but only a few short years on this earth, so why not make the most of it before you both are distanced by station in life or by forces of nature. I can think of a lot worse things to do to strengthen a relationship (however strong it is already).

 

Do some of the easy cheap fixups for the 64 and then sell it to help facilitate the rebirth of the 59! Good Luck, John

 

WOW wish i had to face such dilemas...i agree with everybody else if time and space permit keep both...'59 for $500 bucks if its in decent shape your one lucky s.o.b . and so is your son...good luck
awoldog

 

My thinking is with everyone else -- keep 'em both. Sounds like a few $$$ will get both driveable, then restore one at a time. Will your son need a driver for college?

 

I would have to agree with everybody else, Keep 'em both if u can. I personaly would keep the 59' but hey thats me. The 64' has a very disirable grill. I say you build one your son the other and drive 'em both. Later,-4speed

 

May not have a decission much longer! My son Midas, as in everything he touches turns to gold, Put a "for sale" sign on the truck before he went to work today at 4pm. I just got home and I have two phone messages and one buisness card under the wiper begging me not to do anything untill I speak to him tonight. I knew I shoulda' asked $3000 instead of $2500

 

Screw the stock market, you just need to invest in old trucks! Wow talk about turning a profit. I'm assuming you meant he's selling the 59'. Who ever buy's it give 'em FTE's web address!! We need somemore 59's around here. Later, -4speed

 

No, I was speaking of the 64. I was going to have my son park it in front of the Highschool on the main cruising street this week, but it may not make it that long. Heck as lucky as he has been lately I am thinking of having him park it in front of the bank, beds liable to be full of cash when he goes to pick it up?!?!?