I'm checking the factory invoice for my 1966 ford f250. I assumed that the saddle tanks were addons, but i've seen alot of other trucks in the region in frost (or is it caribbean) turquoise who also have the exact same placement, and doors for their saddle tanks. Those aluminium doors with key large X with one segment missing from the X, I think this is called a diamond patern, not sure, but needsless to say.

Reasons I suspect they were not a factory option.

#1: No reference to them in the factory invoice
#2: Reference to the name "gem" on the plate beneith the tank selector.
#3: The use of a clotheshanger to assest with mounting (though this could have been done by one of the two prior owners).

Sickers that may have actually been on the tanks that also refelected the same company reference, "GEM"

So my question is what this actually a factory option, and if so which is the feature one would look for to determine wether or not one has it.

 

I had a '65 F-250 Camper Special 4 spd granny gear with the same gas tank features. I bought it in Seattle from the original owner, who told me he got it as a dealer specified option. That is, it came to him new with the extra tanks, but it didn't leave the factory with them. Apparently, according to him, Ford farmed the extra tanks out to the GEM company (whoever they were/are) as a new but after-factory installed option.
Sorry I cannot vouch for the accuracy of his information. I sold that truck over 20 years ago.
Can anyone else verify this?

 

>I had a '65 F-250 Camper Special 4 spd granny gear with the
>same gas tank features. I bought it in Seattle from the
>original owner, who told me he got it as a dealer specified
>option. That is, it came to him new with the extra tanks,
>but it didn't leave the factory with them. Apparently,
>according to him, Ford farmed the extra tanks out to the GEM
>company (whoever they were/are) as a new but after-factory
>installed option.
>Sorry I cannot vouch for the accuracy of his information. I
>sold that truck over 20 years ago.
>Can anyone else verify this?

I'm also Washingotn, more tacoma though... the truck was bought from Titus Will ford sales on broadway. The origional owner passed away about 1970 or so, and I don't have the sales resscript, shocked I still have the fatory invoice. I wonder if Titus Will would still have a record of the transaction.

 

This one came from SouthGate Ford. The guy lived in Burien, and I lived at the time in Tacoma on N 7th, between Mullen and Orchard. Looks like the GEM thing may be a local thing. Anything in the phone book?

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 09-May-02 AT 07:56 PM (EST)]How about:
Gem Welding & Fabrication Inc

3039 W Commodore Way

Seattle, WA
Phone: (206)283-5883

 

>How about:
>Gem Welding & Fabrication Inc
>
>3039 W Commodore Way
>
>Seattle, WA
>Phone: (206)283-5883

I was somewhat sure that one of the stickers that fell off and flew away reflected a portland, or address, but I can't be sure. I would have thought it was stock if it wasn't for the fact that chances are if it was, then it would reflect a ford logo, or no logo at all, and also I would suspect it would be on the factory invoice. Given the following trivialitis are on it

Emergency Flasher 11.60 (with a typo of o under the 2nd 1)
352 v8 Engine 132.60
Custom Cab 95.70
4 SPD direct 96 90
650X16 6 pt STD
HD Vynel seat trim 16 80
Delux fa HEATER 14.60
2 spd elec ws wiper 4.90
AMM & oil pressure gauge 7.60
1950 lb rear spring 6.50
2 650x16 6 pttl ny spec trd 12.02
Preperation & Delivery 67.50

Given that the e-flasher is listed, I would expect that the saddle tanks would also be listed

The tag for the tank selector reads

"GEM THANK CLACKAM?S, ORE 9?"
Were ? means unreadable.

 

Extra saddle tanks, one or two, were an official dealer long bed option. There should be a lever or handle coming out of the floor between where the seat bolts to the floor and the driver's door sill plate. The dealer option tanks had this lever. Of course, as with trucks even today, there was a wide range of aftermarket stuff available for them...