It's not much to look at, but if nothing else, there's usuable parts. It's a '53 F350, with no motor/trans. I bought it with the idea of making it a driver to give to my dad someday - he builds replica Edmund's supermodifieds, and is building one for himself, and wants to tow with a pickup like he had when he was racing in the 60's. He works on his own stuff last (customers first . . .), so I've got plenty of time. I towed it home last night - it actually looked a little bit better than these pics once it was on flat ground. There's no title - PO bought it from someone, who bought it from someone . . . and it hasn't been tagged since '76. It's ugly, to be sure, but the cab appears to be in usuable shape, and it's got the extra teeth on the grill. Not sure about the rest - by the time I towed it home last night it was dark. Anyway, here it is:
and:

 

it'll buff right out, and you'll be good to go. Nice find!

 

Havi is right just a bit of rubbing compound and little elbow grease.............
Look like a great find, lots of surface rust....... but I suppose the lower parts aren't too healthy after sitting so close to the ground for a long time...

 

nice truck keep us posted.

 

Nice find. Keep us posted on you progress. That will make a nice tow truck for your Dad!!!!

Gil

 

I went over today and eyeballed it in the daylight without the weeds. Found snakes. Freaked me out, because I was underneath it looking at the rearend, and the frame moved out of the corner of my eye! One was about a 3 footer, and the other was about a 4 footer - and neither was happy to be found.

Anyway, I took some more pics, and had more time to evaluate everything. Area by area so far:

Cab - seems to be solid, even in the corners. The only rust holes are through the passenger side floor board. Even the hings seams appear rusty, but sound. Dents on both sides in front of doors that look like they were put there by cranking the doors around too hard?

Driver door - had previous dent filled with lead, and a lot of it. First time I've come accross that . . . Could be saveable.

Passenger door - small dent along the bottom, and a bit of rust-through on the bottom lip - otherwise okay.Hood - lots of old bondo over old small dents. Sprung on back half.

Grill - dented, but saveable

Wind deflectors, inner fenders - all seem surface rusty, but good.

Front lower pan behind bumper - some small dents, but overall good.

Front fenders - Passenger side, ok - driver side has issues, but might be saveable.

Front bumper - junk

Rear "tank" bumper - must weigh as much as the box. I won't keep it.

Box - Well, it was a farm truck, and the box looks like it. And since it's an express box, it's huge. Dad's pickups were both F100s, so I'll probably sell it.

Wheels - 17" 6 bolt pattern - they're NOT split rims. I thought they all were? Three of four tires still hold air (7.50 x 17)

Front and rear axles/hubs - it rolled halfway decent, considering the flat tire - so they're useable, but I'll probably sell them off and go with an F100 look.

Seat - not sure what it's out of - passenger car? It looks pretty toasty to me.

Windshield - no cracks, but has wiper scuff on passenger side. All other glass is toast or missing.

Rear fenders - assorted dents/tears - saveable if I had to, I suppose.

Frame - appears to be in good shape. I'm thinking of shortening it to make an F100 out of it, though. Dad will use a little tag open trailer, so he wouldn't need the long version. Anyone wanna trade frames?

All in all, some better than what I thought, and some worse. The snakes were definitely worse. (I don't dislike snakes, but that kind of surprise isn't high up my "fun" list.) I'll run the VIN on Monday, and I'll see if I can come up with a title. Hey, it's a $200 truck - I've done crazier things . . .

Here's some more pics:















Snake #1

Snake #2

 

snakes aside, that's a beaut!
nice score man!
I love those big express beds
JML

 

Nice truck!

The rear axle looks like a dually width axle and wheels, without the outer wheels. You could probably put on a flatbed and two more wheels, if you intend to actually use it as a tow rig.

 

Nice find! Keep the long wheel base and consider LT's flat bed idea, I like. Keep us updated for sure and a Big Thumbs Up!

 

If they are 17" rims they are most likely multi-part rims. If they are original Ford rims then they could be the Widow Maker rims, they're very disceptive, just by looking at them they look like one piece rims. From your picture I couldn't tell if there is an outer ring that holds the wheels together. One member,LiftTech has a '56 F-350 with one piece rims. He has some pictures of his rims in his gallery,
1956 Ford F350 4x2 - '56 Ford F-350

If you look on the concave side of the rims and see a 1 1/2" band then you have the WMs.

 

Looks like it's gonna be a great truck. Yikes! Those looked like copperheadedrattlemoccasins!

 

great find for $200.............I'd give the snakes back though

 

$200 for a 53 F-350 express pick up. Good deal. Personally, and considering the rarety of the good usable F-350 Express trucks, I think it foolish to kill an original express. They are not at all common, but the availablility of conversion parts (frames, fenders, etc.) to make thme into F-100's is drawing them out of the farm fields. Bob's right. Ditch the stock rims as they are the widow makers, or at least should be from factory. You have a rare, and becoming more rare truck. If you want a F-100, I'll trade you the 48/9 F-1 I've got straight across, and we can make arrangements to meet and swap trucks. Kick it around (the other options I mean) before killing that Express.

 

Looked again at the wheels. Outside lock rings. Still servicable at most tire shops. Far less dangerous than the old drop centers and other styles of multi part wheels. Most dangerous when in poor condition and suffering from bad locking seats.

 

Deluxe cab too. Even better. Would be a shame to see it get de-trucked.