Hello. My name is Adam.
You may know me from the longest project ever on FTE (search word Eleanor).
Or you may know me from the least documented build ever on FTE (search word War Dog).
Here soon I would like to introduce you to the oldest ford non project ish I have ever owned, a 1939 Ford truck.

Once I figure out how to post pictures again on this forum.
Pics soon, with some shocking revelations (its not a flat head!) and scandalous choices (what in tarnation is that under the hood?).

Maybe even a video or two when the snow melts.

 

First off, I am not gonna lie. I bought this truck to flip initially. Only reasoning is it was something that was cool (to me) when I saw the pictures of it for sale. Price was right, came with a bevy of extra mechanicals ( 3 trans, 2 bellhousings, 4 old school poly tires and rims). Figured I had nothing to lose.
It ran, shifted, and stopped. Not bad for an 80 year old truck.

 

Looks good so far. Can't wait to see more.
By the way, just an FYI, it's not an F1, trucks before '48 were just trucks or Commercials.

 

Nice looking truck. I'd have to put original wheels and hubcaps back on it.

 

Keep your tow vehicle EXACTLY as it looks! I love it, but I agree... Original rims, widened if you must, or squeeze some 7.50 x 16 on the stock rears on the 38/39. (My first flathead vehicle), still a soft place!

 

Much appreciated. I did not know that. Fittin to correct/edit the initial post.

 

Much appreciated.

You might want to look away over the next couple of days. This post/thread will not please you over the next couple of days.

 

Much appreciated. War Dog has served my family well for the past 2 plus years.

as for original rims: Gator Pops was long ago desecrated back in the 60's. The body is all steel, the frame is still original. It appears even the radiator is original. drivetrain from end to end is not anywhere near original. More to come.

 

So I literally, as stated before, had no desire or need in my heart for another vehicle, let alone an 80 year truck.

But based on the pictures, I knew this one was different than the rest.

Maybe I buy it, do some work, and flip it. At this point (April 2020 I believe) I wasn't sure.

But here's the pics I was sent from the ad...




Now normally, green is not my color. Plus not a color for anything that goes fast (racer's superstition).
But then I saw two more pictures that told me this wasn't my great gpa's farm truck...



Does that shifter say Hurst?
Interesting buckets.
This looks a bit not stock.
What's with the pinstriping?

Then the last picture sealed the deal:



That does not look stock at all.
The last time I saw anything remotely close to those carbs was on my buddy's Countach (I use the term "buddy" loosely here).

"On my way" I tell Mr. Facebook market place stranger/hopefully not a craigslist killer dude....

 

That is neat, I bet that truck can tell some interesting stories.
Actually, the green looks good on it, it really gives it that old school hot rod feel to it, and the wheels just add to it. I wouldn't change a thing.

 

Subscribed!

🍻

 

Well, its funny you mention that. This truck comes with what I would consider a good story.
More on that to come.

And agreed, the color has kinda grown on me.

 

So the dude wasn't a rando CL killer.
He was actually a pretty straight shooter.
Took Gator for my first ride and was blown away by the sheer velocity this thing could produce. Surprised doesn't even sum up how much this truck impacted me.
"don't like it, just flip it" I kept telling myself, over and over. But my better half knew just by looking at my face that this may be a permanent fixture in the garage.

Long story short, it came with some old school polys, a 350 turbo trans, another Muncie four speed, and 2-3 bellhousings and other little random s@#$.

We agreed on a price, and it was time to bring my potential flip home.



I had to stop in at a buddy's shop while I was out that way. His boss saw me pull in and the first thing out of his mouth was "does that thing even run?"
"Like a raped ape" I replied.




I managed to make it half way home when I stopped for fuel. Rando dude at the pumps asked me 1 million questions, and then settled on, "here's my number when you are ready to sell."
I had to turn off the CB in War Dog, cause the chatter about the "giant block of red hauling some cool green machine" was a constant.
If you don't like attention, this truck isn't for you, apparently.
So after traversing the entire state home, I'm thinking "good purchase" and "it will be so easy to sell".

 

My garage is my place of Zen.
It is only when the BBC, or the Harley rips alive is that Zen is truly realized.

But this truck, having survived 80 years, needs to be inside.
So it was time to say goodbye to my iron horse.


my 2006 street glide




The bike wasn't perfect, but it was nice. And the new owner could not have been happier.




Now to clean up and prepare the space for Gator Pops.

 

JUST don't clean up the shop TOO much. It's intimidating to some of us. Looks like a rocket to me. My early driving was in VW bugs (stock 36 hp) Model As (stock 40 hp), then I graduated to '60 toyota landcruisers.... One day my HS girlfriend's cousin came to visit in a 289 mustang with a 4 speed, built engine. I Had NO idea how much fun that was to be glued to the seat back. Funny I have never ridden in or driven a fast car since.. I'm sure this will be a real blast!!!