Hello again all,

Just wondering how rare is it to find a 1961 223 with factory automatic (fordomatic)? Mine was a forestry truck in California, built in San Jose.
Just curious..

1961 F-100, 223 ci, factory automatic and bone stock with a clean body and only patina rust.

 

One way to find out:

https://www.martiauto.com/martireports.cfm

 

Thanks for the reply. That looks like a cool site that I am going to keep in favorites. Unfortunately, the database starts with 1967 and later model vehicles.

 

OH HECK! I was just on there the other day and NOW I remember the '67 and up thing.....

 

Nice clean find, flaresides with side spares have the functional look. Flaresides and automatics were always a first choice and favorites of fleets and government agencies. IMO, very rare to find an automatic in a '61, probably less than 10%. Last year of the 2 spd Fordomatic in pickups, replaced with the 3 spd Cruisematic in '62. The warranty plate ( attached to inside glove box door) paint code should be blank. Originally a shade of light green, gray roof. Has '57-'60 hubcaps, probably installed by previous owners.

 

Mr. tripleframe

I thank you for your response!! Apologies for a delayed response@tripleframe I learned a lot pursuing plates (Vin and glove box) thanks to you. You obviously know your older Ford trucks and I would be honored if I could ask you more questions? I agree, with not much knowledge just input from others, that a 61' f-f00 auto is not the norm. It actually is a three speed automatic with the code identifier "C" on the plate in the glove box. I know because it switched three times. I'm such a *** for saying that (sorry). Is it possible Ford did that for fleet trucks before 1962? Must be another (*** question). The paint code in the glove box is blank but, it definitely is like a Gumby green inside. I assume fading on the outside. From the bad picture the roof looks grey but I think it's the faded green. Were forestry/government trucks provided with a grey roof?

Dash/doors never been cut. Actually has original factory AM radio. Not a single rust hole throughout the truck. Just the "patina rust": I purchased it from a guy that was obsessed with the truck. Part of a much larger purchase I made with him so here I am. It was a daily driver (local) for two years and has just sat for the last three years. Couple pumps on the gas, pull the chock, and she is idling first try...even with three inches of snow on the hood. He had the engine/transmission rebuilt and rear end re-geared so I can do 70 with an accurate speedometer reading. Is there a market for the old girl? Any recommendations on how to present "O Bessy" to potential suitors?

I wish I had a knowledgeable neighbor like you to "obviously" bother with questions. LOl I'm in Oregon. If you have the time I would be grateful to any answers.

Thank you,
Robert

 

Still very grateful for the info Mr. @85e150

 

There is a market for a rust free classic with an auto. Many would love to have an auto in their '61-66 pickup, many classic lovers are only getting older and appreciate the ease of driving and will pay an extra premium for this one feature alone, especially '61-'62's owners with the older non synchro 3 speed manuals. Many like the old simple straight axle trucks, don't get discouraged by the '65-'66 sub set owners who go for newer technology. I would try to get all the original paint back, if possible, scrub off all un necessary primer to get back the original finish. Some previous owners like to prime over anything that looks like surface rust, there may or may not be body work under the primer. The truck would be worth much more with good original paint that could be buffed out, simply because body work can't hide under original paint but may or may not be under a fresh repaint. A photo of a dept of forestry F 750, light green( special order color) with grey roof and a link to a Calif dept of forestry, (the fire dept division what were red with white roof) for inspiration to what these solid good paint '61-'62 pickups could bring in, '65-'66 twin I beam or not.'61 Navy truck added just for fun, note most special order paint jobs came with body color grills and bumpers, however did come with the satin black outline in background of grill design.
Forestry Department Survivor: 1962 Ford F100 | Barn Finds

 

@tripleframe ....I am impressed with the time you have spent responding..

A wealth of knowledge and thank you for all the info and inspiration. You have given me motive in finding the right "new owner", for the old girl.
I will post full pics soon.. I went to a couple car shows. Most tell me I should shave the door handles/roof rain gutter blah blah and lower her with power wing windows......... A minority tell me to leave her alone...She is a survivor. I truly like the survivor part especially when I ask them what they spent, and what their project is worth to the market. Obviously, a labor of love, and a hobby, for those guys and I TOTALLY get it!! I really like the few times, at Home D type stores, (still newish to posting and not sure about proprietary stuff like "buy Tucker cars because Tucker car are the safest brand and XYZ sucks"), where people have come up and told me their 2021-22 F... will be in the junkyard long before my girl. Open the hood (you can climb in and close it if it's raining) and if you can't figure out whats wrong....well, lots of older truck guys would have something to say to that, and yet I find it sad that the newer "generational" kids won't learn on how to fix their car/truck because, who can nowadays without all the equipment needed. For us it was simpler... a tool set, a hammer, a pine-cone and a screwdriver (and each one was interchangeable!) and our putt-putt was rolling again.

Last thing., and something I learned a long time ago......When someone older bothers to try and tell you something...LISTEN. Take what you need, but listen. Discard the rest. We all owe an effort to try (good luck) to instill some life lessons to the younger crowd. I wouldn't want to be a kid nowadays!

popsmoto