Clarence, my 1948 F-1 panel truck; misfortune
 

I think the only time I've ever posted about Clarence was in a "show us your vehicle" type of thread. Anyway, I bought it in February of 1973, 52 years ago. We've been through a lot together and it's taken me just about everywhere between York, PA and Wendover Utah/Nevada.

I could write a thousand-page book about our exploits, but today I've got only one story.

On 10/15 BJ Mayberry and I were traveling on I-64 in Illinois on our way to a gathering of old Ford trucks in eastern Kentucky. Sherry didn't want to go since we had taken an extended trip in Clarence last month.

Eastbound on I-64 somewhere in the east half of Illinois traveling at 70 mph a trailer wheel came flying across the median (also going probably 70 mph) and hit us head-on. Could have been catastrophic, but BJ and I are both fine. The hood flew up and caused some consternation for a few seconds but as we slowed down it came back down. The adrenalin had us shaking for a while but we incurred no injuries. Entire front clip is toast. Radiator and fan also as well as several other small items like the trans cooler lines, etc.

Illinois state police arrived about 45 minutes later and a rollback arrived about an hour after him. BJ and I are both at our respective homes in Missouri.

Clarence is in my shop and probably down for the winter.

So if you know anywhere that I can get hood, grill, radiator core support, upper and lower valences (attach to grill), or other arts to repair this would you please message me here. Those fenders are Be Bop fiberglass as when I put them on several years ago I couldn't find steel fenders. Be Bop appears to be out of business. I haven't found another supplier of 'glass fenders. Those of you on the H.A.M.B. and/or FTE (Ford Truck Enthusiasts) might have already seen this.

Yes, I'll post in the want ads, but this thread is more about the story and not about finding parts.

Re: Clarence, my 1948 F-1 panel truck; misfortune
 

OOHH, that hurts to see!

Re: Clarence, my 1948 F-1 panel truck; misfortune
 

Sorry to read about Clarence……it’s good the tire didn’t come through the W/S…….Mark

Re: Clarence, my 1948 F-1 panel truck; misfortune
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1761097357

Sorry to hear of this mishap. Glad that you are both well.
Regards Mercman <><

Re: Clarence, my 1948 F-1 panel truck; misfortune
 

I'm really sorry about that. The important thing is you're okay, but that still really sucks. I doubt the frame is hurt so it should be too bad a job to fix him back up. You take your chances out on the road; you can be the most careful driver on the planet but there not much you can do about an out-of-control tire. What are the odds that you and tire were in the same place at the same time. Better odds of winning the lottery.

Re: Clarence, my 1948 F-1 panel truck; misfortune
 

Mercman, thanks for resizing the pic. I've been trying to find out how to do that ever since I first posted this a few minute ago.

Re: Clarence, my 1948 F-1 panel truck; misfortune
 

b-t-w; and f-w-i-w; I've posted quite a few times in the Model A forum about my 1930 Model A sedan that's in my avatar. And I've only had it for less than 3 months.

Re: Clarence, my 1948 F-1 panel truck; misfortune
 

A pic sitting in my shop. The wheel/tire on the floor is what hit us.

oops; pic didn't load. I'll try again.

Re: Clarence, my 1948 F-1 panel truck; misfortune
 

I think it's commendable that you (and many others here) have kept the vehicle of your youth for so many years. Me, they seem to slip through my hands. Good story. Many would have abandoned it after the wreck, but you persevere!

Re: Clarence, my 1948 F-1 panel truck; misfortune
 

GB,

I've heard of the Jailbar Ranch; perhaps on here and perhaps not.

Glad to make your acquaintance.

Re: Clarence, my 1948 F-1 panel truck; misfortune
 

oops...

Re: Clarence, my 1948 F-1 panel truck; misfortune
 

Re: Clarence, my 1948 F-1 panel truck; misfortune
 

Wow, glad your ok, I’ll keep my eye open in my area for any parts that might fit.

Re: Clarence, my 1948 F-1 panel truck; misfortune
 

Maybe Karl Westcott here on the Barn would know of a supplier of those fenders if he does not himself.

Re: Clarence, my 1948 F-1 panel truck; misfortune
 

There a f-6 in Missouri for sale on ebay for $$1,750 . No connection , I just thought it could hep . I know the fenders are diff but it may help with the other parts . Its in Thief river falls .

Re: Clarence, my 1948 F-1 panel truck; misfortune
 

atch, so glad that you two guys were not hurt.
I hope you are able to find good parts to put your
'48 panel back to the great cond, as you had it...




.

Re: Clarence, my 1948 F-1 panel truck; misfortune
 

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I had thought of Wescotts but my initial search failed. If I were a better speller I probably would have found it sooner. Today I found them and they DO have the fender parts I need.

Re: Clarence, my 1948 F-1 panel truck; misfortune
 

Sorry about the wheel and all. Glad everyone is okay. Especially finding all the parrs you need. You are truly blessed.

Re: Clarence, my 1948 F-1 panel truck; misfortune
 

Thanks. Yes, He was certainly watching over us and we really are blessed.

I can certainly attest to your signature line: "Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer to the end, the faster it goes."

Re: Clarence, my 1948 F-1 panel truck; misfortune
 

I got nice rear fiberglas fenders for my '40 pickup a few yrs ago from R & R Fiberglas in Cleveland Tn. 6/30/03 was the date 423 476 2270. I hope they are still there.

Re: Clarence, my 1948 F-1 panel truck; misfortune
 

You were pretty close to me when this happened. Do you know what mile marker or what exit you were close to?

Re: Clarence, my 1948 F-1 panel truck; misfortune
 

The brake drum is still attached to the offending wheel! I wonder what happened to the other car and driver?

Re: Clarence, my 1948 F-1 panel truck; misfortune
 

I have to ask, did the tire have a TIN serial number? All new car ones do and buyers are registered with them whether they know it or not so consumers can be notified in the event of a recall; but I'm not sure about trailer tires. Did the officer on site note one in a report? I'm fairly certain that an officer or insurance adjuster could look it up to see whom it belonged to if there was one.

Re: Clarence, my 1948 F-1 panel truck; misfortune
 

Eastbound near MM 80 (+/-) just crossed over highway 37 a couple of hundred yards before crash. Also before I-64 crosses over the railroad.

Wheel came off of a three-axle car-hauler gooseneck trailer and they kept on going westbound. They probably didn't even know that they lost the wheel.

My friend/neighbor whose father owned a Goodyear tire store for many years and still is in the tire business tells me that it can't be traced.

Re: Clarence, my 1948 F-1 panel truck; misfortune
 

Sorry to hear about the "event" and glad you are ok.

I've bought body parts from these two vendors for my 1952 F1 in restoration:

Midwest Early Ford - URL is like the name
(they have steel & fiberglass hoods, and steel fenders)

Auto Metal Direct - URL is like the name
(they have steel fenders & hoods)

Good Luck!

Re: Clarence, my 1948 F-1 panel truck; misfortune
 

Thanks planeman. These are two of the vendors I've researched. Of all the places I've looked Auto Metal Direct is the only place that has the radiator core support. Interesting.

Here is the list of vendors I've researched:

Dennis Carpenter
Midwest Early Ford
LMC
Auto Metal Direct
Sacramento Vintage Ford
Wescott
Superior Radiator
Bob Drake
KC Obsolete Ford

It seems like I've heard of others over the years but I can't remember any of them. Can anyone offer up more suggestions?

b-t-w; KC Obsolete Ford doesn't sell most of the stuff I need in new reproduction, but Reggie has a small boneyard and sells stuff when he can. He's looking to see what he has and we'll get together in a few days. He does, however, sell a lot of small reproduction parts. He & his wife & his son are great people and I HIGHLY recommend you call them for stuff you need. They are a three "man" operation and they take care of you personally. They have no trained monkeys trying their best to make it through the day without being bothered with your problems.

Re: Clarence, my 1948 F-1 panel truck; misfortune
 

You might try Chucks Trucks llc
(203) 288-2769

Ebay has lots of listings ....

Good Luck!

Re: Clarence, my 1948 F-1 panel truck; misfortune
 

Forgot this one:

Classic Body Parts (URL is like the name)
They show the radiator support "in stock"......

Re: Clarence, my 1948 F-1 panel truck; misfortune
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1761563796

Clarence, 1948 Ford F-1 Panel Truck before accident

Re: Clarence, my 1948 F-1 panel truck; misfortune
 

FYI---

Auto Metal Direct is offering Free Shipping on orders over $500 between today 10/29 at 6PM EST and Sunday 11/2 at 11:59PM........

Re: Clarence, my 1948 F-1 panel truck; misfortune
 

Insurance took 3 months to finally agree on payment. It's been at a body shop since January. Here is what it looked like today. Karl is putting it totally together and then going to blow it apart for paint. Some parts are original 48-50 Ford sheet metal but hood and fenders are new reproduction. It shouldn't be too long now.

b-t-w; pay no attention to the two white wheels leaned up against it.

b-t-w-2; the (soft) aluminum radiator that used to be in it got pushed into the A/C compressor hard enough to break the housing. The water pump shaft was also bent.

b-t-w-3; Karl deemed it necessary to repaint the entire truck so the light blue you see is the Washington Blue paint after first sanding.

Re: Clarence, my 1948 F-1 panel truck; misfortune
 

What an ordeal, glad you are OK and thanks for the follow-up. this is a case to show the quality of your hard work, blood, sweat and tears remaining loooong after cost is forgotten. You should be back on the road this summer.

Re: Clarence, my 1948 F-1 panel truck; misfortune
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...9&d=1773200069
It has a sore troat! ;)
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1773200069

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...2&d=1773200069

Re: Clarence, my 1948 F-1 panel truck; misfortune
 

b-t-w; Karl is a regular customer at Auto Metal Direct so that's where the fenders and hood came from. I prefer other vendors but what the hay; Karl is doing the work so let him use whomever he wishes.

The rest of the sheet metal came from a private individual near Kansas City who just happened to have a '48 front clip in his way.