53 F-100
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53 F-100
Hey guys,
i am new. Really new. I have only dealt in Fox body mustangs and newer imports. I love classic cars though and my wife recently told me she would like a 53 F-100. Here are my questions.
I found one yesterday. Looks to have a new bed (fenders box tailgate. Even the wood). It has a 350 with a 700R4. A Volare clip. Doors are aligned nicely. Hood looks like it needs some tack welds on the hinge. Very straight. Very few dings. No Rust. Needs Front and rear glass and work on the side windows. Primered. Needs interior work. Able to drive daily if I so wished. The guy wants 7000 for it.
Is there anything important I should look for on a truck of this age or anything in particular to look out for. I appreciate any help and realize I am about to get in to a whole heap of work. But the wife wants something. Thanks.
Josh
i am new. Really new. I have only dealt in Fox body mustangs and newer imports. I love classic cars though and my wife recently told me she would like a 53 F-100. Here are my questions.
I found one yesterday. Looks to have a new bed (fenders box tailgate. Even the wood). It has a 350 with a 700R4. A Volare clip. Doors are aligned nicely. Hood looks like it needs some tack welds on the hinge. Very straight. Very few dings. No Rust. Needs Front and rear glass and work on the side windows. Primered. Needs interior work. Able to drive daily if I so wished. The guy wants 7000 for it.
Is there anything important I should look for on a truck of this age or anything in particular to look out for. I appreciate any help and realize I am about to get in to a whole heap of work. But the wife wants something. Thanks.
Josh
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Kansas City area
Welcome nytitannv-
I would check to be sure the Volare IFS is welded in good. Secondly, when you say no rust I assume it has been repaired. Did the repair involve new patch panels welded in or just bondo. You don't want the "just bondo". Check the rear cab corners, the area over the front of the fenders, the drives side floor, the front of the hood, and the rain gutters. These are some of the more usual rust problem areas. If you could post a pic or two of the truck it would help us help you.
I would check to be sure the Volare IFS is welded in good. Secondly, when you say no rust I assume it has been repaired. Did the repair involve new patch panels welded in or just bondo. You don't want the "just bondo". Check the rear cab corners, the area over the front of the fenders, the drives side floor, the front of the hood, and the rain gutters. These are some of the more usual rust problem areas. If you could post a pic or two of the truck it would help us help you.
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Having looked the truck over already once I saw no spots where rust was. The headliner was not in the truck and there was nothing on the roof. I looked underneath and found no rust. The guy selling said there was no bondo in the truck. He said I could magnet the whole truck. I will see if I can take some pics of it today maybe. Thanks for the quick replies. What are some good prices for a decent running truck?
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
If it`s as good as it sounds and is reasonably rust free than it`s in the ball park. I didn`t always feel this way till after working on mine for the last few years.
It`s alot of work to get it to this stage and quite afew dollars with still alot more to go.
I`m over the $7,000 range already and it`s still not a driver quite yet.
It`s alot of work to get it to this stage and quite afew dollars with still alot more to go.
I`m over the $7,000 range already and it`s still not a driver quite yet.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: New Mexico
$7,000 is huge if the work is shoddy and needs to be redone. If its really done well then it should be a decent deal. Still, not a great one if more stuff needs to be done. But the guys are right. I've got that in mine and its not a go yet.
The only guy that loses money in a resto is the guy that does it.
The only guy that loses money in a resto is the guy that does it.
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Joined: Sep 2005
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Without pics, its hard to guestimate. The guys are right (they have been there) in that if it is solid and runs well it is probably worth that. I don't have quite that much in mine (yet!!!!), but it is a stock truck which has not been modified (much anyway).
Personally, I would not want a ch**y drivetrain in one. That lowers the value drastically to me. I would have to yank it out and put a ford engine/trans in it. Again, that is just me. There are a lot of the old trucks running around with the other brand drivetrains. They seem to place a high value on them.
Personally, I would not want a ch**y drivetrain in one. That lowers the value drastically to me. I would have to yank it out and put a ford engine/trans in it. Again, that is just me. There are a lot of the old trucks running around with the other brand drivetrains. They seem to place a high value on them.
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