I recently saw a Ford '79 Official Truck (Indy 500) up for auction on the eBay auction website, and had a few questions that I thought that I would bounce off you folks. (you can take a look at the truck at <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=212588326">http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=212588326</a> )

First, was the 460 an available option on all 79 F-150s? I have chatted with the seller and he assures me it is the original engine. Anyone else have a take on this? I can't recall ever seeing a 150 with a big block in it before.

Second, have any of you seen one of these trucks? This is only the 3rd that I have ever found (I own a 79 Mustang Indy 500 Pace Car and a 79 Indy memorabilia collection), and was wondering if anyone had an idea of how many were made. I know that they are VERY rare, but woud like to get some more specific stats if possible.

Unfortunately, I am not in a position to pick this truck up right now (damn mortgages!! [img]/dcforum/Images/happy.gif[/img] ), but I hope to find one some day to add to my garage.

Any info that you have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

Cheers,
Ian

 

Are you the same person that posted about the pace truck about two months ago?


John

66 F100s
In the still cool hours of the night, you can hear chevys rusting away.

 

Nope, must have been someone else. Was any info turned up then?

Cheers,
Ian

 

Well now that I have seen the pictures I am sorry to say that I have seen one of these pickups in my neighbors junkyard. It kinda makes me want to cry now. The pickup looks exactly like the one shown but with some body damage. The pickup that I have seen did not have the 460 but other than that it is loaded just like the one you spoke about. Good luck in whatevery you decide.

Fordman

 

I just did a search and found the past threads on these trucks. Sorry to re-hash an old topic!

FYI, according to the 79 Pace Car Registry these trucks were built on the regular assembly line alongside all the other 79 trucks. Becuase it was pretty well a cosmetic trim package the Ford plant could easily accomodate this. All indications are that they have sequential VINs, so they were all probably done in one or two days (at the most) of production. This is similar to the 79 Pace Car Mustangs, which not only included special paint and graphics, but also a unique front grill, air dam, hood scoop, rear wing and interior pieces. All the assembly was done right on the San Jose and Dearborn assembly lines with no outside contracting.

Anyhow, thanks and if anyone turns up any more info on these trucks, or knows where one is in decent shape (for less than $15,000!) please let me know.

Good responses on this board! Keep up the good work.

Cheers,
Ian

 

Ian, I'm glad that you got some info. I have seen the (a) truck here in North Carolina a few times. I had believed the truck was done outside the plant.
As for the value, I think that $15000.00 is real strong for a 20 year od truck. There is one thing that I have found out in resent years, it doesn't matter what it is worth. It is only worth what someone is willing to pay, and how long you are willing to wait for that person to come along that will pay the price. IMHO the truck might be worth $5000.00. There are just too many 79 F150 trucks. You would have a real Indy nut with deep pockets, just to keep one around.

John

66 F100s
In the still cool hours of the night, you can hear chevys rusting away.

 

What do you consider as being in good shape? The one I found the grill is missing the engine is in need of new rings and seals and the box insnt the greatest. Then throw in a paint job too. Let me know what you think

 

John, I agree that $15,000 is way too much, even for a 10,000 mile rare piece. I don't think that there are too many people out there willing to pay that kind of money. Maybe if I had a HUGE disposable income... [img]/dcforum/Images/happy.gif[/img] I'll probably sit on it for a while and then contact the seller again to see if he is willing to reconsider his price.

Fordman, I am looking for something that is driveable without too much rust. I don't really want to get into replacing all the sheet metal, etc. I have owed a 79 in the past and have had to do the repairs behind the door (and the box, and the quarters, and.... [img]/dcforum/Images/sad.gif[/img] ) and would like to avoid having to do that again (good luck, right!!). The interior is a big part as well becuase it is all unique to the truck. I have just about finished the restoration on my 79 Mustang Pace Car so I am not really in the mood to take on another big project right now (why I was interested in the low mileage truck on eBay to begin with). Maybe in a year or two once I recover. [img]/dcforum/Images/happy.gif[/img] I appreciate the info though. BTW, where is this truck located?? I am up in British Columbia, Canada and most of the trucks that I have been able to locate are back east making it hard (and expensive) for me to really assess them.

Thanks for the help guys!

Cheers,
Ian

 

The pickup that I found is in eastern Montana.

 

Boy, Ian, that truck's almost in spittin' distance. Too bad the exchange on our Canadian peso is so harsh. I'm in Alberta, by the way. The 460 was a regular option in the halftons, too, as I have seen at least four Lariats with the full load and big block recently. About a year and a half ago I picked up a 79 custom 150 with a 460 for three hundred bucks; put a distributor in it and drove it home. Gave it to dad and he's still driving it. Interesting thing about it was the 'explorer' package on it. They put carpeting, tilt, a fancy seat, decals and hood ornament on a custom 150. From what I hear, it was a promotional package. I believe they ran it from the early seventies to sometime in the eighties. Anyways, sorry for getting sidetracked. Good luck in your search, Ian.

 

Hey, that is a LOT closer than any of the others that I have been able to locate! I'm on Vancouver Island, so I am about as far west as you can get in Canada, besides the Queen Charlotte Islands (spent 17 years there too!).

How much is the fellow asking for the truck Fordman (or is it for sale?)? Is the interior in decent condition? How about the frame? Which engine does it have? Sorry for the 20 questions, but now I'm curious!

Yeah, the Canadian dollar situation sure doesn't help us out much these days. [img]/dcforum/Images/sad.gif[/img] The restoration on my Mustang sure opened my eyes to the actual cost of buying parts from the US! Oh well, I guess that is the price you pay for playing with rare vehicles.

Cheers,
Ian

 

down here in the plains of amorica ford are cheap and plentiful.

 

Well Im pretty sure he would sell it but I dont know how much he wants for it. I'll ask him next time I see him (this weekend). The pickup has a 302 in it. It blows oil all over though. The interior is in good shape. The seat isnt ripped as I remember and the doorpanels are good too. Ill get back to you asap.

Fordman