1936 Pickup, Convinced Myself I Don't Need It

[VeryTangled]

Howdy Barners! Well, this DIDN'T follow me home today.

For some reason I was reading one of the lists of stuff for sale and saw this at 15K$ OBO. I went to look at it today, but convinced myself I can live without it. Didn't even sit behind the wheel.

What do y'all think?

It runs and stops according to the owner who took it in trade in a deal for a '56 Mercury. I heard it start, not too quickly at that. Non-Stock stuff includes front tube shocks, 12v electrics w/ fuel pump, trim rings. It's missing the rear shocks, splash pans, some thing fishy with the horn rod, it pulls out about five inches, and battery cover. The spare tire cover is very reminiscent of the one on our Phaeton, but doesn't have a lock in the center? Is that a typical spare tire cover? The X Member is banged up some, otherwise it's amazingly dent free!

There's also something fishy with the serial number, wrong font and size, wrong number format, no stars. I didn't inquire about the title.

The front spring has a leaf slipping out of place.

Instead of rods for the hand throttle and choke it has cables?

The starter switch looks a little odd.

The brake adjuster is not like the ones I've seen before, any comments?

I'da hurt the guys feelings if I had made an offer. I'da snapped it up at half of his starting price.

-VT/JeffH

[VeryTangled]

More photos

[Vic Piano]

Hi Jeff, I don't know much about the "early" trucks but, I don't think that pickups had metal tire covers, nor did they come with "banjo" steering wheels. Photos are forgiving so its difficult to surmise the actual condition however, if you are looking for a "driver", it might be fun at the right price...

[RobertB]

Looks like a nice driver, but I agree with about half the asking price.

I scan Craig's List often looking for a 32-46 Ford pickup daily driver. It seems the Hot Rod guys asking $35-65,000.00 for their cars have effected the owners of the drivers into thinking they have a really valuable vehicle.

I wonder how many of those mega-thousand hot rods actually sell, and how may of the drivers sell for their asking price.

I know a local guy with a "model A" pickup listed at $11K went most of a year before he sold it. It was barely driver condition and the Model A body was only the doors and cowl...the rest was something else.

[jimTN]

Looks like a very good driver with the really expensive work done. Has to be a fairly low mileage trk to have the metal bed floor still in good condition. I noticed a couple of things, in the pic that shows driver side of firewall, the cab mounting to the frame either is rusted out or has a flap of paint hanging out. Also it will need a gas tank cleaning because of all the filters I see. As for the steering wheel, this may have come that way from the dealer as a add on. Looks like the headlight switch has been changed to an aftermarket dash switch and that is why the horn button and rod pulls up. If the cab mounts are all right, I see nothing serious or very expensive to fix and I am sure there are a lot of truck owners out there that have spent well over half of what the asking price is just ot get to that condition.

[BlueSunoco]

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I'm with Jim. I've seen '36 pickups sell for that guy's asking price in worse shape, and I watch the '35's and '36's because they are a sharp little pickup,,,,,good ones seem hard to find. I think around ten would be a pretty fair offer, looks like a decent pickup to tear down and start over at least most of it looks to be there.......

[Ross F-1]

I tend to agree with Jim, $15k doesn't go very far, and if the body is as solid and nicely painted as it appears, that's close to bargain territory. Especially in the DC area.

[Heard]

If all you want to do is buy it an drive it, then maybe....

But I look at a vehicle like this and think, well, it needs just about everything to get it to where I would want it. Paint and probably some body work under there judging by the rust around the drip rails. A fair amount of mechanical work, etc. etc. And if I have to do all of this work anyway (even doing it myself), I would just as soon start with a vehicle at half the money. And that doesn't even start to address the title/VIN issues

My .02

[AnthonyG]

I like it, probably would've offered $13,000 and maybe bumped up a little if he didn't take it. Would have been a fun driver / worker. Driven as is and fixed as stuff needed.

[VeryTangled]

Hi All, Excellent comments, keep them coming. My temperature is rising.

-VT/JeffH

[Sixseven]

The truck looks mostly complete with a few easy to fix issues. It is said that a whole truck in parts is worth more than the truck whole. That said, for a very nearly complete vehicle, the $13K Anthony suggested seems like a fair price. Don't part it out if you buy it, that would be a waste of a good truck. The paint seems recent, is the body hiding rust and bondo?

[VeryTangled]

Hi All, Bill W. Would I be in a lot of trouble if I wanted to put it back to original shocks front and back?

-VT/JeffH

[VeryTangled]

Sixseven, I only saw it in the garage, as you can see he had the Dodge van in front of it so I didn't ask to see it in the sunlight or take it for a spin. I was going into it sorta cold, I didn't even bring cash to put a deposit. So I can't say how much filler is on it, but I'd say more than meets the eye, judging from some cracks I observed I'd expect to be shocked if the body was media blasted. The paint, I'd say is horrible for show quality, but not really an issue as the truck sits. There are exterior finish issues for sure. I have questions about the window seals also, if they're shot that's big.

The one piece that seemed tweaked/bent was the hood. Bent areas a little more than normal for 75+ years old, but not straight in the areas where it latches. None of the four latches worked well, and there were some serious wear spots where it meets the fenders.

-VT/JeffH

[AnthonyG]

Jeff, I know at least a half a dozen guys ready to make an offer at $15K or best offer running in relatively good shape no contest man. Buy the dam thing. I want it and may drive to DC and make an offer!! It don't look that bad.

[FHFD]

Doesn't seem too far out of line, price wise.

I've seen worse for more.

[Talkwrench]

Ok to give you some idea, I bought my 35 only a few years ago for a little bit more than that asking price, What I got was... basic truck in overall good condition next to no rust, but bumps n lumps for the years but straight. It needed all new glass, door trims, winders and the metal hump for over the trans etc, new brake lines, things where held back with bits of fencing wire, springs where taken out to lower it, down right dangerous!, stupid stuff like that. What I did get was a newly rebuilt 37 block [mint motor!] , together with a 39 trans, juice brakes, lowered axel, generally really good running gear. Since then Ive added lots of stuff, Shocks, reset springs, anti sway bar, electronic ign,, radiator, pumps, rear brakes, master cyl.. well look the list goes on! None of which has really broken the bank, I think $850 for the re-core was the biggest spend.. Remember I drive this pickup every day unless raining. I will attach some pics of what it looked like when I bought it.
Hope this helps to compare

[ford38v8]

Originally Posted by Heard

....And that doesn't even start to address the title/VIN issues...

Title and serial number ? Run, don't walk. Get out of there and don't look back.

[Talkwrench]

or you could just buy this... I think its well over priced, even if Vern touched it...
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/4438720461.html

[BILL WZOREK]

Jeff:
Going back to original shocks is not a problem, That being said if you go back to look at it just check where the shocks mount ( You mounted the ones on your car )
so you know where to look, make sure nothing has been cut off or welded up.
Still not a problem I have a chassis spec sheet some where to show the shock location.
if you need to redo the mounting holes.

[jimTN]

I would add that putting brake floaters in would also be a desirable thing to do if they are not already there.

[Brendan]

Jeff, what is with the front shocks? it looks like the lower mounting is using part of the brake lever

also is the fuel line drilled through the frame. and I think the steering wheal is a 37 wheal.

[Brendan]

oh I saw what is up with the shocks !

[Shadetree]

Other than the serial number and title it doesn't look all that bad. Good bodies are hard to find, you can fix the mechanical issues, as parts are readily available.

Picture it as if it had a nice shiny black paint job...With a green pin stripe...Ah yes!

[V8ER]

You can't do anything else until you resolve the serial number and title questions. The steering wheel, shift lever and bumper are not 36.

[VeryTangled]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks Bill W. for your reply to my questions.

I'm adding a few more shots. Is the area where the firewall meets the frame rails correct? I'm thinking along the line the firewall may have been switched? Not sure yet.

Brendan, these are the best shots of the fuel line that I have, when you asked, did you mean where it is coming thru the frame rail and up along the firewall as in the bottom right of photo #1?

-VT/JeffH

[Henry/Kokomo]

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V8ER X 2 for sure!

[the cooch]

How badly do you want to be seen drivin' the thing is the question! We would definitely blow right past $13-$15 thou to get "the Cooch" to the same state as this p.u. body wise, and I personally like some of the alterations that previous owners have made to improve daily use in combination with original running gear. Any old ride will need personal touches when changing hands, at least as far as safety goes, for the new owners peace of mind. I would drive it, and subtract the cost of changes you'd make while discussing it with the seller, and let an offer materialize in the magical garage air. Worse thing that could happen is you actually will have to buy it for a little more than you wish it was...

[BlueSunoco]

I see the potential in this pickup. Surely the title and VIN couldn't be a deal wrecker?? It can be straightened out but let the seller know that it may be a bit costly for you, and offer a little less money than the asking price. I'd go for it if I were you...................Good '35 and '36 pickups are getting harder and harder to find, they're dragging junk out of the weeds and they become(yuck) street rods and rat rods. A '35 or '36 put back to original, is the way to go.

[flat-v8]

That is a real pretty truck! If that was for sale around here for $15K I think it would be gone quick. My '36 is a peice together truck, mostly from swapmeets. Big truck cab mounted on passenger car frame, '46 motor, '37 bed, everytime I drive it, somebody makes an offer to buy it!

[mhsprecher]

I am in the go for it camp. Of course, you could spend a small fortune on it if you wanted to but if it's a good driver and seems solid, it is a great starting point.

If the SN matches the title, who but a purist would ever know if the font size on the number wasn't right? It might be a problem, but probably not.

[Brendan]

Jeff, my fuel line comes up in the frame , where the x member and the rail meet right at the joining point. the frame rail looks drilled

[Mike B]

Originally Posted by VeryTangled

There's also something fishy with the serial number, wrong font and size, wrong number format, no stars. I didn't inquire about the title.



-VT/JeffH

This would be my only concern.

Here in Ca., when the CHP verifies a vin/serial number, they have little booklet of expamples of all years to compare to.

[VeryTangled]

Hi All,

Mike B, thanks for the contribution.

Reference pix #4 from the original post. Do y'all think this is a legit font? Aren't the 4 and 6 wrong? I'd like to think that these are some of the last digits and there may be a * at the end of the 48604.

After going to the Jalopy Showdown today and seeing lots of flat engines, I'm warming to this little truck. I may be making another trip to see it. Ultimately I want to see it up on a lift, and determine how much of the front clip is original.

-VT/JeffH

[ronn]

trucks are hot right now and 15k is probably just about right.
Early 30's-early 50's ford and chevys are bringing more then cars.......
model A pu's are not in the same realm, a completely diff purchase.
Who cares about no stinkin title? it either has a good one or it doesn't, no in between.
At 15k, I'm sure the title is fine.

[Mike B]

Originally Posted by VeryTangled

Reference pix #4 from the original post. Do y'all think this is a legit font? Aren't the 4 and 6 wrong? I'd like to think that these are some of the last digits and there may be a * at the end of the 48604.



-VT/JeffH

Looking again at that pic, along with the pitting on top of the frame, that sure would be hard to duplicate/fake, but the numbers (just from the few I've seen) looked a bit spaced apart.

If my nephew comes over tonight, I'll get a pic of a '36 (or was it a 35?) car frame that has really nice stamping on it...I'll lay a tape next it it so you can kind of compare.

I think even before heading back again, I'd make a call, let him know you're interested, but want to make sure the title and frame numbers match.

For all you know, he may not know.

[flat-v8]

Her at my local DMV I had no problem getting a new title. Registered as a 1936 but built on a 1938 car frame, I just wrote the frame number down, provided a picture and a bill of sale, and they mailed the fresh new title! That frame number doesn't even relate to a '36 with a v8 85, the passenger car frame originally had a v8 60! They have no idea. I came back with a pair of YOM plates I hand painted, they said Wow, those are nice! Here's your 5 year sticker!

[BlueSunoco]

VeryTangled...you fool around too long and you're gonna be VeryLate!!

I hope you got cash in hand Sunday(tomorrow) and get that truck. If not, you WILL be kicking yourself. Sounds like the consensus here is, the price is in line for what it is. Look around for another '35 or '36 that isn't all cobbled up beyond hope, not many around anymore,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[B-O-B]

this on is in Sherman Texas for just a bit more. Plenty of good buys out there just look around. If you do decide you gotta have that one take a few adds with you to show the seller .

[B-O-B]

Another pic of the truck in texas. Craigslist

[JM 35 Sedan]

Jeff, I don't know if you saw this one recently here in the for sale section. It looks like a nice truck but the price is a bit more than the one you are looking at....

http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...ight=35+pickup

[ford38v8]

Jeff, I know you've heard the expression "Buy the best example you can find, even at a premium price". Is that truck really the best you can find?

[JM 35 Sedan]

Jeff, to Alan's point, and knowing how nice your '36 Phaeton is, I doubt that you would be happy with that pickup until you spent the necessay time and $,$$$'s to get it on par with the Phaeton. JMO

[Zimmco]

Jeff,
I'm with Alan and John on this. I see a lot of problems on that truck everywhere I look. You would ultimately spend a lot less with the one John pointed out.
Al

[VeryTangled]

Hi Everyone, Thanks very much for the comments. I appreciate your thoughts.

The one that is on our Swap Meet is very nice and likely working in every way. Nicer than what I was even dreaming of getting. I was thinking of having a really close to original, semi-beater, rain and shine, truck to commute with. It's a 15 mile round trip, eleven lights and two stop signs each way.

The wife doesn't often say good stuff, but she recently pointed out that I have two modern pickups already!

Thanks again everyone for the lively discussion.

-VT/JeffH

[BlueSunoco]

Just wondering how you came out.

That link to the red '36 looked like a good potential too. Money ahead to buy one already done and needing little work. depends on your ability and skills to do it yourself.

[Steel 35]

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I spent that just cleaning mine up and bought no major parts, except paint and that was half.

[Shadetree]

This has to be one of those coulda-shoulda deals a few years down the road. I have had lots of them!

[JM 35 Sedan]

Originally Posted by BlueSunoco

I believe the man really wasn't very serious about this pickup, just wanted to stir up a discussion here. Otherwise he would have bought it or given an update, or passed it off to a buddy. Maybe he was just wanting to flip it like the reality TV car shows and wanted to get free appraisals and create an interest for the truck, here, like that fellow did recently with his newly acquired '33 Ford three window Coupe that could be had for 97K.

Nope, I know Jeff well enough to know he is not a "flipper". I am sure he came across this truck advertised somewhere and called the owner to make an appointment to go look at it. He was thinking this might make a good driver/beater to get around in rather than putting a bunch of miles on his very nice '36 Phaeton. Before he went and looked at it, reality probably set in and he realized it might not be that practical to own this truck anyway. So he kept the appointment to look the truck over carefully and take a bunch of pictures to show others what it looks like.

[BlueSunoco]

Gotcha John, I stand corrected. Post deleted.

[VeryTangled]

Pretty good read guys. I saw it advertised, wasn't really looking, but have always dreamed of having a truck that I could drive every day. I don't even know how uncomfortable it would have been for me behind the wheel.

I wasn't really trying to stir things up, just looking for thoughts from the community. Oops, maybe that is the definition of stirring things up?

Shadetree, I hope you are wrong, but, as you say, it's the ones that get away that haunt you.

-VT/JeffH

Edit, added: The guy who has it now _is_ a flipper. Also one of the things I did ask was how big a hurry he was in to move it, and he said he'd promised a daughter to get the chance to drive it over this holiday weekend.

My transmission is still in neutral.