This 1938 Ford Model 81C truck has been verified through a third-party inspection in June 2024 and a full photo gallery in July 2024. All inquiries will be managed by Robert Lewis on behalf of the Private Seller.

During the restoration process, this 1938 Ford Model 81C truck's original steel bed was converted to a wooden stake bed, the electrical system was updated to 12v, and the cab was restored inside and out. Finishing touches, including new Dolphin gauges were completed by the seller following his purchase of the truck in 2018.

Features include:

A rebuilt Ford Flathead V8 engine and floor-mounted manual transmission
Full restoration and repaint in blue with hand pinstriping
Blue tweed interior
Crank-operated windshield
New Dolphin gauges
This Pre-War Ford Truck is available in Tennessee as a Premium Listing on CLASSIC.COM offered by Robert Lewis.

About the model:

After Ford discontinued the Model BB in 1934, the company continued to produce pickups and trucks based on their concurrent full-size models. This family of trucks saw a range of variants such as COE (Cab-Over Engine), stake bed, flat bed, pickup, and panel truck. Initially, the Pre-War Pickups were only available with V8 engines, but in 1941, an inline six option was offered. Production of civilian models stopped in early 1942 due to WW2, and restarted for the 1946 model year. Examples built after the war were mechanically identical to 1942 versions, yet with mildly updated styling. Production continued until 1947 in order for Ford to finalize the Pre-War Pickup's replacement, the Ford F-Series. Pre-War Pickups were built mirroring mechanical developments on the full-size Ford platform, although not always the styling.

Features and Specs:

VIN: 184622863
98 miles shown (TMU)
V8 Flathead engine
Manual transmission

Modifications:

Wood stake bed
1940s wheels with new Firestone whitewall tires
New Dolphin gauges (indicated mileage was 83,617 at the time of replacement)

Due Diligence:

Third-party photos taken July 2024
Third-party inspection June 2024

Ownership History:

Jul 2024 - Available for sale in TN
Nov 2018 - Purchased by the current owner
Prior ownership is unknown

Service History:

Recent finishing touches by the seller
New Dolphin gauges with tachometer
New spark plugs and wires
New distributor
New alternator
Both water pumps were replaced and new fluids added
Rebuilt carburetor
New battery
Full restoration prior to 2018
All bondo removed and new steel welded where needed
The undercarriage was blasted and painted
New paint (including hand-painted pinstriping)
New interior with tweed seat covers, matching door panels and a new headliner
New hand built oak wood bed (replaced the original metal truck bed)
New late 1940s style wheels and Firestone whitewall tires
Rebuilt flathead V8 and manual transmission
Electrical system converted from 6v to 12v

Known Issues:

The wipers are inoperable
Minor cracking and chipping of the paint
Worn door gasket seals and windshield seals (new glass is included but not installed)
Wear on the wood bed
Pitting of the chrome headlight and windshield surrounds
Past leakage on the front of the engine

Included in the Sale:

Two sets of keys
New glass (not yet installed)
New electric wiper motor and blade (not yet installed)
4 original hubcaps (do not fit the current wheels)
Photo documentation of the restoration process