As a few know, I have been on the look out for my first classic truck. Have really enjoyed reading this forum and feel I have picked up quite a lot of solid information. That being said I do not have a strong auto mechanical background and am learning as I go. I'm looking to purchase a solid running daily driver and learn as I go replacing parts or upgrading as the opputunity arises. I've recently been reading about disc brakes conversions... which spurred this thought.

I'm looking specifically at a hotrodded '38 Ford (channeled) and a '48 International on a '78 nova chasis. Have not physically seen either car yet, plan to see the '38 this weekend.

My main question at this point is... Am I going to have issues finding parts for the '38?

 

You should not have any problems finding parts for the '38, the parts market is much bigger than the market for the International. Has the '38 been channeled on the original frame? Sometimes with cars that have been hot rodded already you want to take good careful looks at the workmanship of the modifications. You don't want to end up having to totally undo a truck and start over due to poor or unsafe work doing by the previous owner.

 

Thanks Gary - Yes, my understanding is the channeling work was done on the original frame. I'm admittedly out of my league judging such workmanship. Is there a resource on this site in which I can post and request/pay a forum member who may live in the Southern Maine area for their experienced pair of eyes?

 

the only part i haven't found for my 38 is the trim for the grill.. you may try posting some pictues.. the guys on this forum really have some sharp eyes and can tell you a lot about the work..

 

Harley,
I plan to take a crazy amount of pictures this weekend when I go to see it. I'll set up a photo page for all you guys.
The seller has many cars and is very friendly on the phone - has done all the work himself and says he knows his cars forward and back.

Gretsch

 

Well the visit to see the '38 channeled pickup was a disappointment. The truck just wasn't in the shape I had expected from seeing photos and speaking with the seller. It looks to have been sitting out for more than a few winters. Seller didn't have the truck ready to go, rear tire was flat, he said it hadn't been started since last September and said it wasn't registered so I wouldn't be able to drive it anyway. Ya' would have thought if one is trying to sell a car they would try and make it look good and go for a test drive, yeah? Guess I'm a nut for not wanting to purchase site unseen or test drive?

Also... More rust then I want to deal with underneath - quite bad IMO. Drum brakes all around - which wasn't a deal breaker. Original frontend - which I want something more updated, etc etc.

Most importantly, I didn't fit behind the wheel! The channeling chopped out much more leg room than I would have thought - head room was fine - but my knees were on either end of the steering wheel which was in my crotch. Ha. At 6'1" I don't consider myself a big guy but definitely was for this truck.

It was an awesome learning experience being this seller also had several other classics on the lot. Didn't drive any but climbed in a heck of a few.

The search continues...

Ebay sucks because I don't have the time to see a truck before an auction ends. Also seems like there are many flippers who bought and owned for a short period and don't know anything about the build they are selling - not good for abeginner like myself.

Think I need to forum shop more - much more comfortable purchasing from you guys anyway.

I'll be lurking....

 

Yeah, a channeled car really cuts down on the interior room, which you have already seen. From my experience, sellers usually talk up a vehicle very good, make it sound better than it really is, and fail to always point out the negatives about the vehicle. But at least you were able to spot the things you didn't like and walked away from it. Goood luck on your hunt.