I’d planned to wrap up my posting on GM wiper tech today, but walking out of a local LA Taco shop I saw this definitive Curbside Classic, and wanted to share it while the pixels are still hot. I love old trucks like this, since the yearly styling changes makes identification so much easier.
As this image demonstrates. I think the evolution of the third generation truck styling demonstrates that the current trend of “butching up” truck styling isn’t a recent phenomenon, but has been going on for 60 years. Notice how the hood gained a power bulge and some stature over time, and grille grew wider and thicker every year. However, I’ve always found the styling of the’60 model very attractive, perhaps because I remember one sitting outside my Great Uncle’s house in Minnesota back when I was much younger (as were these trucks).
The lighting isn’t perfect, but I think it’s clear this truck is completely original, and a base model truck that’s spent its life working.
The F-250 extended cab sitting next to it provides a nice contrast, as a modern example of a base work truck. Taller, longer, wider, it’s still a stripper model designed to transport folks and material to a work site, with no fuss or muss. The patina is less advanced on the newer truck, but the likelihood of it staying in service another 40 or 50 years seems unlikely, even in the mild climate here in Southern California.
But what a great patina we see on the older truck. Through some miracle, the sheet metal maintains its original contours, with the only real damage showing up in the form of minor dents and scratches to the (original) paint. Some may ask, “Isn’t there a point at which California vehicles show signs of body rust?” This truck, though eligible for an AARP card, has yet to succumb, loudly scoffing at the thought of rust perforation.
Unlike many people posting cars for sale on Craigslist, I’m more than willing to show you all four fenders on this truck. Like Norma Desmond (another elderly LA resident), our truck loudly declares “I’m ready for my closeup.”
As a rule, I don’t associate bumper stickers with work trucks, but this message on behalf of our POWs seems appropriate for a working man’s truck. Thinking it over, it may have even been applied during the height of the Vietnam War. Car club plaques have become cool again, so that Regents plate may be a reproduction, but there was a Regents club in North Long Beach and the patina nicely matches the truck, so let’s call it real.
Finally, the office. As far as I can tell, the tach and gauges are the only aftermarket accessories on the truck, and the replacement vinyl seat cover the only restoration work. Here’s hoping this truck keeps working on the streets of LA until its Centennial in 2060!
For another take on 1960 F-100s, check out Paul’s article: Ford’s Tonka Toy
I love it. A work truck with lower profile so that you can access the bed from the side without lifting things over your head first.
Trying to guess its biography…
Lack of dents + grannylow + tarp tiedowns = farm usage.
The wraparound rear window wasn’t base level, a little unusual for farmers. The tailgate was always there, so no campers.
Comparing it to the modern Monster Truck makes it clear why people who work with their trucks still prefer pre-1990 trucks and compacts.
I had the BuddyL sheetmetal toy pickup that seemed based on this gen of Ford truck. Mine was green.
The rear bumper and tailgate do not look to be factory.
Check out the truck in Paul’s link-
This fenders on this one match up point by point, but there are reflectors added below the tail lights. The tailgate is not embossed “Ford,” which may be a year by year change, or may indicate it is a replacement part. Supporting the replacement part theory, the tailgate paint color also is a little off.
Back then pickups came without any bumpers at all, so they were typically aftermarket. Or as in the case of my truck, it looks to be a home-made affair welded up from a piece of channel iron.
Even as late as 1996, the the rear bumper was listed as optional equipment on the F-Series.
Back in my Boy Scout days, one of the older boys in my troop got himself a new Ranger. His truck also lacked a rear bumper; it was considered optional equipment on the Ranger too, apparently. He never heard the end of it, constantly getting ribbed about how he was too cheap to get a rear bumper for his truck. This would have been in the early to mid 1990s.
Rears optional just like sun visors, arm rest, and the like. The one on the back of my 65 when I bought it 12 years ago.
I love the way the flat faces sculpted into the metal around the wheel openings looks like about everything being built today. I recall reading somewhere that there is an aerodynamic benefit? Although maybe not on this truck.
Am I correct in observing the front hood emblem as having the gear with the lightning bolt figure? That little indicator of the inline six under the hood will probably explain why this one is still humming away. I occasionally see really old Ford trucks out and about. I cannot remember the last one I saw with a V8 insignia. That old Ford six does not get enough credit as one of the great postwar engines.
It is a six. And although that was a fine engine, my theory is that the V8 trucks were snapped up by guys in decades past (and bestowed with twin shorty pipes and cherry bomb mufflers, bigger wheels and tires and such) whereas the sixes were passed over by them as being too wimpy. Of course in recent years the sixes finally come to be appreciated. And thankfully mostly unmolested.
The Ford six is still in production today, powering airport moving equipment, pumps and a whole lot of other applications. These engines were overbuilt and were pretty much as far as an engineering model could go. The only engine I have seen that was close would be the Chevrolet 230-250-292. They are also the two engine families I have never seen blown up. I can see loads of exploded and or worn out Chevrolet and Ford small block V-8s but never a six.
Correction. My Uncle Ron blew up a 250 Chevrolet by not changing the oil for ten years.
You’re referring to the next generation Ford six (240 & 300) which arrived in 1965. This truck would have had the previous generation six (215, 223, 262) which were built between 1952 and 1964.
FWIW, these earlier Ford sixes shared a number of design aspects and even some parts (the whole valve train) with the Y Block V8s, including an intrinsic weakness in the lubrication of its valve gear. Presumably this was not huge flaw, but it was the weak spot in both these generations of Ford sixes and V8s.
The 240/300 six is pretty universally praised as the best of the Big Three sixes, but then it came along after the other two.
I wouldn’t say it was materially more durable than the other two, although it is considered bullet-proof, except for its fiber cam gear. But it also has the benefit of a twelve port head as well as large displacement (300), so it is capable of generating more torque.
Well here is an original one to view.
What a great find, thank you so much for sharing since I quite love looking at these photographs.
Looks like this truck has mid-1990s Lipstick Plates with the smaller font so perhaps this truck was originally sold elsewhere.
http://15q.net/ca.html
I love the primrose yellow paint. I’m trying to imagine that on a modern pickup. And I’d forgotten the sheetmetal on the insides of the doors – certainly more durable than moulded plastic.
With a screw mounted access panel for repair of the winder mechanism or door latch. So much easier!
Looks likes the older brother to Paul’s truck. Virtually a dead ringer right down to tie-down hooks. Would those be factory? Or rather dealer-installed or aftermarket? Also, did the ‘61-‘66 Fords have a larger rear window available than the one in Paul’s?
The rear bumper on Paul’s truck is obviously homemade, or rather…custom made. The rear bumper on the ‘60 is clearly a factory made type, though it does have a “western” look to it.
As far as an F100 is concerned they all had the rear window seen in Paul’s truck which is the same window in my ’65. I’m going to guess the same is true of the F250 and F350 also.
Tailgate appears to be made of stout steel, made on the farm/ranch?
Our shop truck at the service station where I worked for three years in the late sixties was red with a three on the tree. Otherwise the same as in this post. Pleasure to drive all around, enough power. Reliable. These are keepers.