Hi Folks,

I'm new here. The reason I'm here is I've been wanting to build an old truck for sometime now. I went through my old research and found that I want to build a 1948-1950.

The interesting thing is, I found a possible truck to build. It's a 1950. All I know at this time is it has a new 351C, Mustang II front end, and a 9" Ford rear end. I haven't see the truck so I don't know it's condition. It sounds like he has put $20K into it, and is starting at $10K for sale.

I have no idea where I should start. I know it's hard to comment on this because the truck body etc. could be crap. I'm figuring, based on the engine, the front end, and the rear end that the guy was serious about doing it right.

Please provide any comments that you think will help.

Thank you.

 

Welcome to FTE!

Can you post some pics of the truck? This site has a lot of guys with decades of experience on these truck. They can tell a lot from pictures.

That truck may be well worth the $10,000, but it's hard to tell without actually seeing it. Others will be along to tell you what to look for, such as painted over bondo, places to check for rust, etc...

I know the fenders and door bottoms usually show rust problems, but there's a lot more to look for.

 

Welcome to FTE! Joe is right, pictures are critical here. The experts here can spot many things from pictures. Be sure to look it over closely. With the changes you mentioned be sure to check for quality welds on that work done. Hopefully you will find just what you are looking for at a price you are comfortable with.

 

Welcome to the site. You came to the right place.

It really does help to see pics along with the detail of the truck. Post as many pics as you can get. Also, tell us your general location and the location of the truck.

 

Enter the (Yellow) Dragon! Sorry, couldn't resist.

So, is this truck listed on an ad somewhere? No one is looking to mess up your deal - there is simply a wealth of knowledge to tap. Any particulars would be of help. For 10k you should be buying a truck that runs and drives. Cosmetic issues aside, the mechanics should be sound. Poorly executed front end or drive train work certainly exists. You are correct to be wary before the money changes hands.

 

I'll get pictures as soon as I can see the truck, possibly on 11/5. The Truck is not listed, so there are no photos on the internet. I spoke with him this evening. From the conversation I would say the condition of the truck is excellent. So let's assume the body is in excellent condition, with the following items. These are the features he told me about:

1950 Truck
351C - Rebuilt never started
c6 Transmission
Boxed frame powder coated / Mustang II front end
9" Rear end
31 spline drive shaft
New Axles / New bearings
New Radiator / Electric fan
Custom made bed - Hanks beds
59 Cadillac rear lights
Wood for the bed
Low car column and shifter
51 spline rear end
Primer coat ready for paint
Bucket seats
Doors need to be mounted
New gas tank
Tail gate - something about this that I didn't right down
MSD Distributor
New Master Cylinder
New Wiring harness
Sanderson Headers
New starter (something special about this
and he's throwing in another 351c

The only thing he said necessary to get it running is to install the drive shaft. My guess at this point is that this will be a good deal. I get the feeling from the details above, and talking to the gentleman that he's doing it right. I will get pictures for more input. For now, any comments? Thank you.

p.s. he mentioned a special oil pan on the engine due to the mustang II frontend.

 

If i were looking at it, one of the first things i would want know is why he quit on it. Just my 2cents.

 

He had an aneurysm recently and can't do the work anymore. He also lost his wife a few months ago. It was really sad talking to him, but he was very enthusiastic about me wanting to buy his truck. We had a great discussion and are both into cars for the same reason. We are both kind of loners, don't go to car shows much, but love cars. It was really nice to relate to each other.

He also has a Ranchero and a Galaxy he's selling. I told him I'd help him sell them if he want's my assistance. He said he wouldn't take any less than 18,000 a piece for these cars. He said the Galaxy is a 63. That's about all I know. I'll get more details on all of this later.

 

It is important, especially in CA to make sure the paperwork is in order: A transferable title that has the same serial number that matches the one stamped into the frame.

 

I've been through this before. I bought a car that was licensed through a "title washing" process. The car was sold (on paper) to a guy in Alabama. He then licensed it as a 1965 ford. The car was then sold back to a guy in CA as a 1965 Ford. DMV did nothing to check on this car to see if it was a 65 or not. I bought the car after all of this took place. I had no idea this took place. At some point the attorney general in CA discovered there were more 1965 ford cars in California than were even made. Once they discovered this, they also knew they were loosing lots of money on this deal. They set out to make examples of 20 people in CA before getting under way with a larger process. Yep, lucky me, I was one of the 20. Eventually it worked out. I was innocent, but I had to jump through lots of hoops, and was unable to drive my cobra for 2 year until it was all cleaned up.

 

Sounds like he is being honest with you and has had some misfortune recently. It also sounds like he was doing some good work on the truck.

As you know, a lot of people can sound honest and arent. Not saying he is dishonest. Just saying be careful...

Looking forward to seeing pictures of it.

 

Hi All,


It's been a while.... but I have to say.... Caveat emptor! Sounds like a great start... Hope your planning on putting another $15k/$20k into it.... It's not painted, assembled (including interior), or running/driving... yet

 

It sounds like it has the right parts which is a great start. Depending on how much you can do and what you want the end product to look like you can have a great fun ride for less than 2k in my opinion, if it is where he says it is. (Nothing personal Moe, but 15-20k, if it goes to some shop in several boxes maybe and custom paint.)

Don't know where you are in CA but if I can be of help let me know.

 

If you have the owner's name it wouldn't be difficult to check on his story about his wife, but it may very well be true, and he may be just unburdening himself, and the money is not important. I'd say the additional cost to finish is someplace in between the previous mentioned amounts depending on how much you can/will DIY:
Complete basic paint job 1500- 6,000 (DIY - farmed out) double if body work (dent removal, fitting, skim and block), is needed or high end paint is used.


Interior depending on material 500. - 2500 double for leather, fancy trim, high end shop.

Labor to complete 0 - 5,000

Misc small parts (gaskets, seals, fasteners, senders, switches, liquids, trim, etc), 100 - 400 double to triple if many small OEM parts are missing.

Tires ?, Wheels ?

 

Although this is not related to this case at all, I am reminded of an Andy Griffith episode where Barney bought a car from a little ole lady who was selling her dearly departed husbands 1954 Ford. Very well taken care of and only driven on Sunday. Couldn't help myself.