I want to find a classic Ford for me and my two sons to restore together. I found this ad in a local on-line classified. Is this truck worth restoring?

This blurb is from the ad:

$4,900.00

This 1952 Ford PU truck has a flat-head V8 which is not running with a three speed manual transmission. The window glass has been replaced, brake work has been done, has a rebuilt steering column installed, and 12 Volt wiring. Comes with many extra new and used parts. Take this pick up home for a great restoration project.

 

YES.... being a 52 owner and have restored 1 1/2 i will always say yes, but it seems to be in good condition. parts are easy to come by and they are reproducing most things for the truck: bed, rims, lower fenders, running boards, all rubber seals, cab corners, floor boards, fuel tanks, complete overhaul kits, transmission parts, every brake part needed and much more. If I were you i would go for it. I restored my 52 with my grandpa and it was a blast.

 

That truck looks to be in very good condition and I wouldn't hesitate to long because someone will scoop that truck up pretty fast.

 

Price is steep for a non-runner, count on doing wiring..."12v wiring has been done" LOL, if the stuff under the dash is typical. Look very closely where the lower front fender extensions joint the upper fenders, right at the wheel well. But it's prettycomplete.

 

Listen, I looked non-stop for 3 or 4 months on every single ebay, craigslist, internet whatever, and paper classifieds. Trust me. The key will be just what exactly do they mean by the engine not running. This is where you have to ask the questions. Is it just stuck from non-use? Or did somebody blow it up and park it? If the engine is just stuck, the price is right.

 

The price of these trucks has been going up alot lately - not sure why.

The typical body rust doesn't seem to be visible in the pictures so as Ross suggested, I would ask what body work has been done to it and by whom!

In the 5 or 6 years I've been looking at "Economy Built Trucks" I've only seen one that didn't have the cancer at the running board to fender joints and the joint to upper and lower fender - so this truck has is either "a steal"/barn find, or its had work done to it. That work will cost you more to undo and fix if not done right than to start over.

You need to go look at the truck and ask yourself (and the seller) these two questions: First, why does the truck not run. Is it just that it's been parked and not started (IOW you can bring it home and with some clean upwork it will run again) or is the engine at the point hwere you can't even get any compression on it. E-bay/Craigslist lie #9" "it was running when we parked it." Could it not run because of the "new" 12 volt electrical 'rats nest' in the picture. Ask him if it was running before the rewire!

We can fix any electrical problems you may have with the wiring if there are any for under $400 - even if you have to completely rewire.

Next you need to scrutinize the body for rust and look in the places I mentioned for some cancer. If there is none, you need to ask the owner who has done the body work on it, and when.

Ask for reciepts for parts - not to assess the value but to ascertain what work has been done to it and ask who did it.

BUT, all in all on the surface it looks like a pretty nice start for a fun project.

Knowing what I know, I think it's a tad high for a non runner, but also knowing how much more you will put into something you will get for $2000, generally, I'd say: Buy it, but take $4000 cash and hold it in you hand in front of him and make him that single offer."

 

It's good to know the guys here are as helpful as the guys in the Dents Section. Thanks for the info, we'll see how it goes.

 

I'll just add quickly, don't be fooled by the promise of "lots of extra parts". That usually means they kept all the junk pieces they replaced and are placing value on them. Junk is still junk. Depending on what part of the country you're in, it may be priced right for it's condition, or it may be only worth half that, imho.

 

$4,900.00 for a non-runner? Am I missing a piece to this puzzle or something?

 

keep looking too high a price to pay considering the cost of restoration versus resale value I know this doesnt enter into the equation when you start a project and your all full of **** and vinegar but it will after the novelty wears off talk this guy down if you can or keep looking my opinion

 

I agree that the price seems a bit high; even if running . Based on the wire nest under the dash, you would have to pretty much re-do that. Ask if the original straight axle is still in it, if not what did they graft in there and how well. You'll have rust to contend with in the places people have suggested. Haggle the price down, if possible or consider looking around a bit. IMHO. Good luck with your search.

 

Yeah, I kept looking myself and after a while I found my 51 tha was SOLID 97% rust free, plus it ran for 3500. But I know how hard it can be when you are looking for one especially in your situation with your boys. I would definitely try to talk him down.

 

These trucks are becoming more desirable as time goes on, but you can get a runner for almost the same $$$. If it is solid though it may be worth it...there can be lots of hidden issues so really check it out....under the windshield, doors and pillars, etc. Check the cab mounts also. Remember that the $$$ add up really fast as the project goes on. . Good luck.

 

I really like that year truck. I think its the best looking for the F1 body. Overall at a glance it looks really good compared to what some of us started with, but I think that price is way too hi for somethng not running and all. That's a pretty big pig-n-poke. I'm sure it needs pretty much everything. All these trucks eventually do. I think it would be good at $3000 or so depending on your local economy. But $4900 is just way too much - in my opinion.

If you keep looking you might find something better, but its true these F1's can be hard to find. So if you really want it, and all i think its OK to pay a premium, if you really think this is the right one for you. But $4900 is too much.

Goodluck

 

Not that this matters on the price, but 1952 was the lowest production year out of all four years (1948-1952). Not that many 52s running around.

There's a guy around here selling a 1951 F1, non-runner, complete, with extra fenders, for $500. I'll agree with others on the high price. $3-3500 is more like it.

I'd bet that there was some body work done to it. Notice that the center tooth is missing from the grille and the "FORD" letter are gone on the hood latch panel between the upper fenders. Either the holes for the letters were filled in, or a hood latch panel from a 1951 6 cylinder was used.