I was just over at the house we are moving into and there's this old Ford in the woods at the back of the property. The the guy we will be renting the house from said its been there as long as he's owned the house and just hasn't gotten around to dumping it. He said I could have it if free. We weren't there that long but I did take a quick look. It looks pretty solid, a little rust and some dents but nothing major. The paint is covered in moss but some rubbing compound would make it look new, someone repainted it. It has a stick shift (on the floor, I think 3speed but the ball was worn out and I didn't shift it and count) but I wasn't able to able to open the hood so I don't know if it has a V8.
Can anyone tell from this pic what year it is and what engine it might have?
From what I've seen it looks like a 58 hood but a 60 front end, chrome trim bar between headlights and square turn signals.
It's a style side and I think it's a longbed.



When we move in I'll just use my SUV to pull it out and see if I can get it running.
I'll get more/better pics when we move in.
I know almost nothing about old American cars. I'm experienced with cars and engines though, just never been interested in American but I think it would be really cool to fix it up.

 

Why not just restore the 58

 

What do you mean? I'm trying to figure out what year this vehicle is.
The only other vehicle I own is an '89 Mitsubishi Montero.

 

 

It's a 60. At least that's what the grille is. The 58s did have a round parking light...

 

The engine would either be a straight 6 or a Y-block V8 if it's stock, most likely a 3-speed manual from your description. (or were '60's column shift if 3-sp, floor shift for 4-sp?)

 

Welcome to FTE

1960 grille / 1957/58 hood (B7C-16612-A).

1957/58's also had a emblem (B7C-16607-A) front center of hood, which is missing on this one.

 

Welcome to this Ford truck site. I wonder if this is a test, as your handle reads f100 racer, so I would guess you race Ford F-100 trucks, or have an 08' F, but your post says you know nothin of old american cars. I just curious. And congratulations on both the home purchase and the free truck, most of us would be so far ahead with that kind of a headstart on the cost. The truck should make for a fun hobby or project.
Jon

 

I suggest you get it titled into your name first.

 

What better way than to start today with a freebie!!

 

I went back today and took a couple more pics and a closer look. Someone removed the plate on the door jam with the vin# but maybe there's one under the hood. I took down the plate number but don't know if that will help, it had 2003 tags so I'm thinking it's only been sitting there for about 5 years not 50. It is a 4 speed on the floor, the **** says 4 and I shifted and there were definitely 4 gears. The hood mechanism seems to be jammed, I could not get it open and could not find a release lever in the cab.
Obviously it needs a lot of work but it looks like a fun project and my buddies are all trying to get me hooked on American cars.




Also we are renting it not buying, I didn't talk tom him too much about it but he said he doesn't know how it got there and that I'm more than welcome to have it for free. Either the previous owner or renter left it there.
About the user name, I just picked it.

 

If it's abandoned..go for it ...your buddies will love riding around in the back seat,,LoL
Seriously though, ..it's a classic and if you can weasel a clear title ...what's not to like??

 

Like, I said, get it titled. Vehicle could be claimed abandoned by the homeowner, after a certain number of days, and then the titling process can be started by the homeowner as a bill of sale, and (for MN it's 3 years) become a bonded title. That way whatever work you do to it, the title holder can't come back and legally claim it.

 

anyone know how to get the hood open on one of these? I could not find a release inside the cab or in the grill. I tried prying on the clamp but that wouldn't work either. I looked underneath and it does have an engine, just don't know which one.

 

anyone know where exactly the hood release is or what the best way to get the hood open if someone took the release off??