Daily Slideshow: Six Sweet Slices of Ford Truck History Sell at Leake's Tulsa Auction

Lot 2132 — 1931 Ford Model A pickup (running board stepside bed) — $10,400

Lot 2132 — 1931 Ford Model A Pickup (running board step side bed) — $10,400

Though it was only produced for five years, the final Model A that rolled off the assembly line in March 1932, was the 4,858,644^th built in one of 36 body styles by 18 factories around the world. Leake’s description is even more bare-bones than the vehicle itself, mentioning only “4 cylinder engine/3-speed manual transmission” as if they came any other way. I would be more interested in info on the restoration work that’s obviously been done to bring this A to its current condition inside and out, as showing it off is the reason one buys something like this. Sure, the stock 3.3-liter four produces 40 horsepower—said to be good for 65 mph—but that’s through an unsynchronized sliding-gear manual that’s the opposite of “user-friendly,” with mechanical (read: cable-operated) drum brakes its sole safety system. But hey; Check out that color combo and sweet woodwork…

Lot 2268 — 1940 Ford Custom Hot Rod ½ Ton (running board stepside bed) — $40,000

Lot 2268 — 1940 Ford Custom Hot Rod ½ Ton (running board step side bed) — $40,000

Before you ask, yes, there’s a damn small-block Chevy 350 hooked to some kind of GM automatic underneath all that Ford steel. And, yes, you read that right. Nobody slaved away in the Tupperware mines to make this professionally-built beauty—though at least one tree was allegedly sacrificed to create its “wood bed.” Beyond its looks, this custom comes with air conditioning, a stereo, power brakes, and B&G wheels. Now, I report on the car scene all the time, and this is the first time I’ve heard of the Wilmes Collection from which this car came. Research shows that it is/was a quality operation, which would explain the high-quality touches like fine pinstriping and the data plate not being held on with Phillips-head screws. Too bad its interior is utterly spoiled by beyond-tacky “Harley-Davidson”-branded “flying heart”-logo rubber floor mats…

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Lot 2296 — 1953 Ford F250 ¾ Ton (running board stepside bed) — $8,000

Lot 2296 — 1953 Ford F250 ¾ Ton (running board step side bed) — $8,000

Our old friend the Chevy 350 is back, as are the automatic trans, A/C, and power brakes. Joining the line-up in this second-gen ’53 are power steering and a tilt wheel. And while its description calls it “restored,” make “air quotes” in your head when you read that—or re-read it; go ahead, I’ll wait—as the biggest giveaway of a hack build, no matter how great it looks, is here: Phillips-head screws holding down the data plate. And in keeping with the theme of this build, not all of them match. Why aren’t the running boards brown when the bumpers, (much later) wheels and grille are? And what’s up with that black “diamond plate” crate taking up a third of the bed? And what could you possibly haul in a bed with sides that low that would necessitate that wonky honeycomb-patterned rear window protector? And WHY TAN AND BROWN? To match the dash and wheel? That’s what the Good Lord invented pinstripe kits for. Just… boo.

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Lot 2236 — 1970 Ford F250 “Highboy” 4x4 (Fleetside standard bed) — $17,000

Lot 2236 — 1970 Ford F250 “Highboy” 4x4 (Fleetside standard bed) — $17,000

I know what will lift all of our spirits! A Ford truck with Ford running gear restored—or at least spruced-up—with true-to-Ford trim. Sure, Ford never used the name “Highboy,” but that’s just nitpicking. That this fifth-gen F-Series sports a 351-cu.-in. V8 (not available until the sixth gen appeared in 1973) spiffed with all the chrome go-fast bits detracts from this truck’s originality (for more check out user zerfetzen’s “Highboy Information Compilation”), but it IS a 1967-1977.5 Ford F-250 with four-wheel drive that sits quite high, with enough of the underbits the model should have (at least to my mostly-untrained eye) to make it look legit. Kudos to the builder(s) for sticking with a “stick,” too, as—at least in my own opinion—it’s what original Highboy buyers would’ve gone with. In fact, apart from the “Super Lug” tires and spray-on bed liner, this looks for all the world what they did buy (if you keep the hood shut).

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Lot 4129 — 1976 Ford F100 F100 (Fleetside long bed) — $4,200

Lot 4129 — 1976 Ford F100 (Fleetside long bed) — $4,200

Are you a betting person? Because if you are this sixth-generation F-Series is the truck for you. Other than saying this truck has a 390-cu. in. V8 engine, automatic transmission, and tow package, you’re left with “receipts provided” (for what and how many/much is a mystery) and the collector market’s scarlet letter: “[OK] State Assigned VIN.” There are several good reasons why this might be the case, but none of them will help you recoup your investment in the future. Also, there is also some question as to what this truck is and what’s been done to it. Is it a Towing Special? Judging by its stripes, perhaps it’s an Explorer. Its number of driven wheels isn’t mentioned, either, and judging by the state of its engine compartment, bed, and interior, this pickup has been—to be kind—“well-worn.” Yet the exterior looks near-new, including fresh paint and decals, shiny bed rails, bumpers, and chrome wheels, with the latter two wearing fresh rubber. Considering it comes with more question marks than the Joker’s outfit from the 1960s “Batman” TV series and an assigned title, it’s no wonder it sold for just a smidge over four grand.

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Lot 3154 — 2003 Ford SVT Lightning Stepside Custom — $25,500

Lot 3154 — 2003 Ford SVT Lightning Stepside Custom — $25,500

Want to waste the next few minutes/hours? Play “Where’s Waldo” with this lot’s photos and find all four TVs in this two-seat pickup. Counting the navigation screen and the now-missing passenger airbag, I’ve found two. Speaking of pics, why would the listing fail to mention the discotheque hiding under the hard bed cover of this “magazine show truck”? I mean, they mention its powertrain mods—a “polished intake tube,” “supercharger with upgraded impellers,” and “ceramic headers and Bullet 3 inch exhaust,” but apart from those, the “Boze 22 inch wheels,” and the “silver and white flames by artist Pete Finlan” (a guy that goes by “Hot Dog,” FYI), details (like the odo reading) are scarce. But if I’m generous and input 10k miles into my patented ValueTron 5000, it gives me a max “clean retail” price on this truck in the $16k range bone-stock. So, as usual, the question remains: Could you replicate this truck for its sale price or did someone pay for the mods and get the truck for free? Discuss…

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