Most classic car fans have a soft spot for old pickup trucks, which satisfy both the emotional attachment to the style and mechanical systems of the past and the rational need for a vehicle that can haul things. Proof of it on this site abounds, from Paul’s 1966 Ford F-100 to numerous other vehicles, including a 1966 Ford F-250 that I profiled last year. Seeing an old unrestored pickup still at work can brighten an ordinary day, and this instance during a lunch break certainly did. Driven by a young man who looked only slightly more than half the age of his truck, this 1969 Ford F-250 is a heavy duty workhorse of the 1960s, repurposed into a millennial’s utility vehicle. It was going totally meta by hauling away used kitchen equipment from a large chain restaurant, likely to be repurposed for use in a newer, smaller restaurant’s kitchen.
Dents, scratches, faded paint, some rust, missing trim, and other external flaws that would make a classic car look run down all add to the appeal of this 48 year old 3/4 ton, which has capacity to spare here. The door on the side of the bed is for access to the factory option tool compartment that allows carrying small items securely, giving this truck an extra measure of utility. It looks ready for another several decades of work, perhaps driven by a Generation Z owner many years from now.
When I first met my future BIL he was driving one just like this (right down to the colors), although his was a 1972. This and the next generation of Ford truck were favorites for work duty on his family’s farm.
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbside-classics-american/coal-requiem-for-a-truck/
Our ’69 was in the family for 42 years… was a great old truck, lots of good memories.
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These are known as “Bumpsides” due to the protrusion from the beltline of the truck. I have 4 of these in various conditions. My prize is my 71 F-250 Camper Special.
There are two great resources for this generation of Ford trucks. http://www.fordification.com is a plethora of information. On Facebook, the group titled Fixem Your Way 67-72 Ford F100 is a great group of very helpful folks.
That’s SUCH a great-looking truck.
I consider these to be about the best looking pickups ever. I had one of this vintage but not like yours. Pretty sure mine was former forest service truck. I never knew about the “Bumpsides” moniker.
My father’s old ’67 F250 still gets used regularly for farm work. They don’t build them like they used too!
Alas, 29 years of Ohio weather haven’t been kind to the old truck, and each year it gets a little rougher and a little rougher. Getting rolled on it’s side into a river 18 years ago didn’t help it much, either. Still runs strong though!! We use it every fall and spring, and I drive it some during the summer just to put miles on it. It’s the truck I learned to drive on.
In my observation the farmer’s market is a great place to spot old pickups still at work. One of the vendors at the one I often visit always shows up in a 1970s Chevy Scottsdale. I’ll have to photograph it one of these days.
had a fancy schmancy 72 ranger xlt for a while 390 and all the toys
didn’t get driven too much probably because of 7 or 8 miles to the gallon
Recently saw a bumper sticker on an old workhorse Dodge truck, ca.1966? That stated: REAL TRUCKS DON’T HAVE “WHEEL COVERS” Push bar bumper, hand painted, a time or two probably. And IFIR, had more rust than paint. Going strong though. Full of construction debris, and no smoke from the tail pipe.
I learned to drive on a ’68 Dodge 3/4 ton 383 / 4 barrel Camper special, back in 1969. Without the camper it rode like a stone and got 10 mpg maybe, with camper, 8 mpg, or less. Nothing “fancy” about it other than a 2 tone paint job. Loved it!
These fancy-schmancy 1967 and later pickups aren’t REAL TRUCKS. And whitewalls ad insult to injury on this F-100.
Pickup trucks and Jeeps are the only two types of vehicles that seem to be more appealing with dings and dents.
Besides old Jeeps, old pickup trucks seem to be one of the most sought after vehicles around.
A good friend of mine lives in one of those million dollar(and more) homes in Clarksville MD. 3 houses down there is a guy that owns a 1980 F-150 that is in well taken care of condition. It always lives in the garage when not in use. It shares the garage with his wife’s S Series Benz. His daily driver is a newish BMW 5 series. I asked him once why he leaves the BMW in the driveway and the truck in the garage. He looked at me and said it is tough finding a good condition F-150 and that he can always buy another BMW
There is something about a pickup truck.
I like that story. +1
It’s always nice to see an old pickup truck being put to good use. I think the old pickups look better, too, with a few “dings and dents”. I don’t believe there were any ‘designer trucks’ in 1969, were there? Quite the contrast to the $100,000 truck now on the verge of being released to the public for sale by FoMoCo.
I can’t look at one of these old Ford’s without thinking of the Charles Bronson movie “Mr. Majestyk”. Ford even used clips from the movie in their own commercials.
I endorse this post.
To me the guy with the BMW has his priorities straight!
(Apologies to Brendan ?)
I have two F100s of this vintage, one a crusty rotten 1970 model that I use to push snow. It was my first old vehicle, and, in retrospect, not the wisest purchase. My optimism and naivety caused me to overlook the fact that every body panel was thoroughly rusted and the engine was in terrible condition-in fact there was little on that thing that was not rusted through or worn out.
On the positive side, replacing body parts, the engine, and various other pieces and troubleshooting its myriad problems gave me a great education and the confidence to delve into major repairs on my modern vehicles. Since then I have changed clutches, timing belts, heads, and even engines in my Subarus, all repairs that I would not have felt comfortable doing before the old truck forced me to expand my mechanical repertoire.
The other is a 1971 model, in much better condition, that is on the road. It is used for Sunday drives, dump runs, hauling lumber and firewood, and as a back-up vehicle or parts runner when one of the Subarus is down. My favorite feature is the “three-on-the-tree” shifter.
Driving the old truck is a visceral, full-body experience, requiring the use of all four limbs, constant vigilance to keep it in the lane due to the approximate nature of the steering and to listen for signs of trouble from the engine. Because it isn’t built for speed, driving it requires a “slow and steady” mentality. Though I wouldn’t want to use it get to work every day-I prefer the comfort and fuel economy of modern vehicles-I enjoy driving it, and I like to keep old machines running.
Though it isn’t so pretty-the paint is peeling, it has rust and dings, and the body trim is rough, people respond to the old truck. It brings out reminiscences from people who had similar vehicles in their early days, compliments from old vehicle aficionados, and just plain curiosity. I dare say my Subarus don’t elicit such responses…perhaps my next car will be a 360.
These are such terrific old pickups. In a sense they are a lot like Lego blocks – when something breaks or wears out (which is a rarity on an old Ford ?), its relatively simple to swap that piece out and keep going.
What a great old truck, and it’s good to see it still on the job after nearly 50 years. I see an identical Ford around our Toronto neighborhood on occasion. I think its owner takes it off the road during the worst parts of our Ontario winters – salt does these old Fords no favors. Definitely on my bucket list of vehicles in my imaginary driveway.
Can I have this truck? Please? Favorite all-time vehicle.
Please?
I’ve been good…
My brother got a hold of Dad’s green and White ’69 bumpsdie with its burbling 390. Great truck. Dad bought it 15 years ago from a guy sitting in it in a parking lot holding a for sale sign..
There was a beautiful Camper Special in the Hershey Car Corral last year.
My Uncle bought a brand new 1971 F100 in light green, 8 foot styleside bed 302 with 3 on the tree.
Western PA winters with associated snow and salt rotted the truck within 4 or 5 years and the truck was taken off the road by 1976 as it would no longer pass Pennsylvania safety…excess .rust damage is part of the PA inspection process.