Details

This 1938 Ford Model 81-C truck was the project of a father and son team who converted the original steel truck bed to a wooden stake bed, updated the electrical system to 12v and restored the cab 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
• 99 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 - view the inspection report

Ownership History

• Jul 2024 - Available for sale in TN
• Nov 2018 - Purchased by the seller from a gentleman who restored it with his father.
• 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