1952 Ford F1 Pickup

In 1925 the Ford Motor Company introduced the first "pickup" based on the Model T Runabout. Ford offered the rear "pickup box" separately at their dealer parts department for $25.00. The box was then bolted onto the back of the vehicle as an accessory. Since the box was "picked up" at the parts department by the customer, the term "pickup" took hold for this style of vehicle. Later the box was installed at the factory and evolved into today's pickup trucks.

For consignment, a totally restored Ford F1 pickup truck. Lots of attention to detail has been paid to this truck, and the final product shows it. These trucks seem to be very popular at Classic Auto Mall, so it is suggested that you get here or call soon if this red and white beauty interests you. For visual impact and pure Americana, there's simply not much better than a classic red pickup truck.

Exterior
Vermillion Red, not the original color but a welcome and eye-catching change, now bathes the body of this truck and it displays beautifully. With its large white painted grille and wide headlights, this is an iconic design that speaks to an industrious country hard at work. A bulbous hood with bright work on either side makes its way back to a single pane windshield and rounded cab. Perfect running boards connect the front and rear rounded fenders, and the bed is made from entirely new parts. Nice wide white sidewall tires adorn each corner and are capped by Ford stamped chrome moon hubcaps over red-painted steel wheels. The tailgate functions flawlessly and a beautiful oak lined bed makes its way from the tail to the cab. Staggered walnut bed stakes create a higher carrying capacity and look great, plus help distinguish this truck from others. Bumpers have a simple design and are in excellent condition in chrome.

Interior
Swing open the red metal doors to reveal simple brown vinyl door cards and a two-tone bench seat in cream lined with brown vinyl. A beautifully restored Vermillion metal dash houses two simple white gauges, essential knobs and a speaker grille coated in smooth silver paint. The fully restored steering wheel and column front the dash while an aftermarket radio hangs below it, not far from an air vent/heater box, painted red. A carved wood shifter handles heads up the column-mounted stalk. The floor is draped in a thick pile carpet piece in brown. The headliner is a smooth stretch of brown vinyl interrupted only by a small dome light.

Drivetrain
A flip of the hood and you are gazing into a wonderfully restored engine bay which includes a rebuilt 215ci inline 6-cylinder engine, correct for the truck and rated at 101 horsepower. Bolted behind the green block is a 3-speed manual transmission which sends power to a 3.92 rear axle. Drum brakes, standard for the time, occupy all four corners.

Undercarriage
With the frame off restoration, the frame was stripped, and powder coated. As such, it's all very clean. Some surface rust on the threads of the axle U-bolts and other bare metal pieces, but you really have to look for it to see it. The bed planks are almost as nice from underneath as they are on top and clearly have been unlikely to be exposed to rain. The single exhaust and stock style muffler are in great shape and exit behind the left rear wheel. Leaf springs on both ends float this truck and it couldn't be much simpler. We note some oil drops on the green oil pan.

Drive-Ability
These classic trucks and their large, rounded hoods offer a feeling of heft and largeness even though the cab is minimalistic and comfortable. So many of these have been modified, chopped, lowered, and retrofitted with a later engine, it's nice to take a lap in a more original version complete with 6.00-16 tires meant for efficiency, not speed. The truck tracked well on our test loop and never missed a beat save for a horn that wouldn't toot. It's not blistering fast, it's not made for fast curves, and you can't count on lumbar support. But dang, this thing is fun in its own classic way, and we wouldn't have it any other way. As we pulled back into the garage, we couldn't help but think of all this truck has seen over the years.

When you saw these trucks in the 50's, they were delivering something, hauling hay, or making a house call to fix something. They weren't shiny and, in many cases, the beds were packed with materials, tools, and scrap. Now, they're a piece of history and a beauty like this is an opportunity for a collector or someone new to the hobby who wants to start with an American icon.

F1D2CS19974

F1-1/2 Ton
D-215ci I6
2-1952
CS-Chester, PA Assy Plant
19974-Sequential Unit Number

Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.

With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy listening. You can also watch on YouTube!