Hello fellas! My name is Allen, and I just lucked into (I think...) a pair of 1950 F1 trucks. One, a builder, the other for parts. It is going to be a lot of work, but I've always wanted an old Ford, and when a friend of mine came across these, I pounced.





^^This is the parts truck. I'm In a rough spot because I have half a dozen people telling me I'd be nuts to take it apart, I should leave it as-is and make it run and drive it...

Sounds like a cool idea, and I considered it for five minutes, but I think it (they) deserve to be returned to their former glory.

Here is the builder truck:









The builder truck is really very solid. A few rust thru spots, but very little, nothing I can't patch up. The trick is the front clip/ fenders, hood, etc. I have one hood with moderate rust thru, but is repairable, and the rest of the front body panels will have to be repop, or taken from the parts truck. The front fenders on the parts truck have some pretty good rust thru, and I'm hoping to be able to patch them, we'll see. Yes, I have my hands full, but I figured a community like this would be a good place to meet people that could give me pointers on an old Ford truck. I'm not new to restoration, just vehicles two decades older than me.

 

That's awesome! Congrats on the new toys and best of luck! Excited to watch your progress as things go. I'll be diving into one in a month or so, so I'll be eagerly watching your progress!

And, a big welcome! These seem to be some of the nicest folks on the 'net right here. Welcome to the club!

 

Welcome to FTE! First post and pictures included. That's a good way to start with us.
Just build them both up as drivers.
So what are your plans for the build?

Those front fenders are hard to come by if I recall correctly.
Keep us updated with pictures on your work.

Lots of good vendors: Classic Haulers, Dennis Carpenter, Mac's, LMC, etc. I know I'm missing some. I tend to stick with Mid Fifty who is the sister company to Classic Haulers. Napa also tends to have many parts as well, sometimes in stock.

 

You certainly are at the right place, here. First off we got a picture and then a plan.....a warmhearted welcome and don't be afraid to ask questions we are learning off of each as it goes. We have been there, you will have fun, and by the way welcome. You have a nice beginnings with that 49. Or like Joe said,"Just build them both up". To me it would be a shame to sacrifice one.

 

Thank you, and if I can find the time, parts and money... Yes. I have thought about building them both.. But it's going to take a lot of all three!

 

Thank you very much, for the welcome and the info!

 

Thank you! I have a lot to learn about these trucks. The first thing will be procuring a bonded title, as I couldn't get one with either truck, which usually makes me walk the other direction. However, I got them very cheap, so I just couldn't pass. I was told they were both 50's, but I am new and don't know how to tell the difference, if any. I'm all ears If you all can enlighten me.

 

I have heard different, but I always though it was 1950
when they first had dual wipers.

 

Welcome to the forum! This is the best place for anything you want to know about these trucks.

Good luck with your build. Looking forward to seeing your progress.

Scott

 

Welcome! The reality is that a parts vehicle is often needed to complete a build. Stick to your plan as the last thing most projects need is mission creep. If there are any serial numbers on the plates (glove box or on the firewall) or look on the top of the passenger side frame rail between the engine and radiator mounts, please share them. While limited in detail compared to VIN numbers, there will be enough content to identify the year and other basic info.

 

I checked the frame rails on both trucks, and between the rust and my poor vision, I couldn't find any numbers stamped.. and there are no plates there. Maybe after blasting I can find them. As far as tags on the cabs, the serial number plate on the builder truck is gone. It does have a glove box tag:



Here are the tags from the parts truck:

 

Welcome Allen. The numbers on the frame are not stamped real deep. Get a wire brush or wire wheel on your grinder and clean the area up of rust. The numbers are there, probably just covered in 60 plus years of stuff.

 

Thank you!
So, will the actual serial/VIN be there, so i can recover it and have a new tag made, or is this just build data?

 

Number on the frame will match the data plates if all the parts are original.
I would build both trucks for sure!

 

Here are a few more pics:

Dana 44?



Still has original transmission. I was sad to find the original engine gone.



I love the horn! Hope it works, but not counting my chickens yet.


Hood i plan to patch and use:



Parts truck hood with mostly good trim



You can see the doors i plan on using underneath ^^^

Another inside builder cab


I have a Dr. appt today, but if I'm feeling ok when i get back, I'll see about taking a wire wheel to the frame and finding those numbers. I guess I should get a build thread started as well, but in reality it willbe a few weeks before I can get some irons out of the fire and get started. I can't wait though!