A few weeks ago I posted here for the first time, requesting information on the type of truck I should buy for me and my boys to work on as a first project....many of you replied with lots of good advice and information..thanks.

The truck is now sitting outside in the parking lot...being used as a daily driver for me. We had our eyes on a 1953-56 F100, but as fate had its way, we ended up finding a very well loved and maintained, completely original, 1961 F100 Stepside with a 292 V8, overdrive, complete with the oil bath air cleaner.

The body has only two minor dinks and is very straight with only a few instances of surface rust. Mechanically it purrrrs. We think the paint may be original, but at the very least if it was painted, they kept the original color. The original owner worked for Ford and was given the truck as a gift, new, in 1961. He kept it until his death in 1997. It was passed to his son for a brief time, then sold to the lady we bought it from. She put about 5,000 miles on it during thos 4-5 years.

Anyway...there is plenty of opportunity and potential here. Lots of cosmetic work to do, replacing the bed wood, engine painting, etc.

I think we made the right choice with this one, especially given that we can enjoy driving it while we make the improvements and learn about the ins and outs of auto work.

Thanks to everyone for their invaluable input.

Mike

 

Mike, It sounds like you have found one to be real proud of. I hope you have plenty of good experiances working on it with your sons.

 

Sounds like a good choice. Happy Fording:P

 

Congratulations- a neat story of the one- owner truck and sounds like a winner! Keep the boys busy- and keep the y-block alive!

 

Mike

Sounds like a good choice. If you enjoy the process you can always tackle a disaster next time.

'fenders

 

Enjoy that old truck. But better yet, enjoy the time spent with your boys. You will value it forever. My 17 year old son drives a 63 we hotrodded together. I cherish the time we have spent together. Besides, where will they learn to curse correctly without some skinned knuckles?

 

This is outstanding!!! Thanks so much for the link....I so appreciate being connected to other people with the same interests..and more importantly..who have more experience/expertise than I do and who are willing/able to share it.

Thanks..and you are sooo right about the time with the boys....which was at the root for me even considering this project in the first place....

take care!