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Old 10-28-2021, 06:37 PM   #1
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Default Late 31 hard top pickup

Met with someone today who has the above (late 31 hardtop), in pieces, pieced together. It’s not an original obviously but everything is original. It has some rust and comes with new cab corners, all new wood, no glass but has the rear mount. It may have a 30 tank not sure on that. Engine needs rebuild and one fender is rusted thru where spare tire is. I’m sure there’s lots of small things it needs like bolts, felt,,,,,,,,,,, . What would be a reasonable price to pay for something like this? He would have most anything to get it together and drive but to do it right with all correct screws and things I’d have to purchase. I do want a pickup,,,,,,,,
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Old 10-28-2021, 07:00 PM   #2
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Default Re: Late 31 hard top pickup

What makes you think it is not an original pickup cab?
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Old 10-28-2021, 07:09 PM   #3
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Default Re: Late 31 hard top pickup

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Old 10-28-2021, 07:11 PM   #4
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Default Re: Late 31 hard top pickup

Quote:
Originally Posted by bucket-o-rust View Post
What makes you think it is not an original pickup cab?
It has a hard top and truthfully it’s dangerous for me to think as I have no idea if it was originally that or not. He said it was and I know it’s a 31 because of the firewall. Other than that it could be a soft top originally. I didn’t know the visor was made with the top on these, is that correct?


I misread your question,,,,, it is original I did not question that. What I meant was most of the parts were not originally together as new. All parts are original though.
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Old 10-28-2021, 07:25 PM   #5
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Default Re: Late 31 hard top pickup

didn’t know the visor was made with the top on these, is that correct
Yes

There are two metal bow that go left and right….very hard to find if not there
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Old 10-28-2021, 07:52 PM   #6
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Default Re: Late 31 hard top pickup

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Quote:
Originally Posted by Oldbluoval View Post
didn’t know the visor was made with the top on these, is that correct
Yes

There are two metal bow that go left and right….very hard to find if not there
Thanks,, He does know model A's and he said everything is there. Seems like a honest guy but mistakes are made by honest people.


And just so it's clear the body, all of it needs paint and work.
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Old 10-28-2021, 08:56 PM   #7
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Default Re: Late 31 hard top pickup

Without pictures, but trying to interpret what you said, I'd think this is in the $3,000 - $5, 000 price range. It could be more if it is in better shape than what I think I read.
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Old 10-28-2021, 09:02 PM   #8
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Default Re: Late 31 hard top pickup

Here's some pictures, the two center bows are steel.
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Old 10-28-2021, 10:22 PM   #9
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Default Re: Late 31 hard top pickup

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Originally Posted by Bob C View Post
Here's some pictures, the two center bows are steel.
I’m not sure if they are there or not, I’ll check. Sorry about my description not being the best. It will take some bondo but just to smooth the pitting out and maybe to feather in patch panels.
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Old 10-28-2021, 10:53 PM   #10
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Default Re: Late 31 hard top pickup

If I remember correctly, all steel top pick-ups were late '31 with an indented firewall. Look to see if the bed is narrow and if so make sure the rear fenders are the correct wide ones. Oh, and buy a Burtz engine to save time and money. Save an "A" then drive it. LRF
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Old 10-29-2021, 11:43 AM   #11
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Default Re: Late 31 hard top pickup

'31 pickups were like all Fords in that they evolved, Henry used up all the parts on hand before switching to the new stuff. I have a '31 with all the late parts except it still has the fabric top. A friend of mine has a '31 but it was built in '32 and is registered as a '32.
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Old 10-29-2021, 12:16 PM   #12
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Default Re: Late 31 hard top pickup

Budd built the steel top and it along with soft top were available to end of production as I understand
I’ve worked on several and all I’ve seen is indented firewall on Budd cabs
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Old 10-29-2021, 02:15 PM   #13
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Default Re: Late 31 hard top pickup

My Budd cab pickup has the indented firewall, but has the narrow bed.
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Old 10-29-2021, 07:29 PM   #14
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Default Re: Late 31 hard top pickup

I am trying to value a 31 myself, was restored several years ago, hasn't run in 5 years. Paint is very nice, has some cat scratches on fenders, missing some paint on running boards. Red/Black, budd cab, wide bed, indented firewall. It has a Black cardboard looking interior, door panels, kick plates, roof, cutout around back glass. Engine has 60 lbs compression, side bowl zenith. no rear shocks, front leak. Tires cracked, but holding air. Any thoughts on value?
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Old 10-29-2021, 07:52 PM   #15
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Default Re: Late 31 hard top pickup

A lot of your description sounds proper for the truck.
However much to know about quality
To me value is a wide range based on quality $12-18k. Could be less if amateur resto and showing it
Make sure rear fenders are correct and steel fenders…they’re a big deal on a wide bed
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Old 10-29-2021, 08:02 PM   #16
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Default Re: Late 31 hard top pickup

Quote:
Originally Posted by Oldbluoval View Post
A lot of your description sounds proper for the truck.
However much to know about quality
To me value is a wide range based on quality $12-18k. Could be less if amateur resto and showing it
Make sure rear fenders are correct and steel fenders…they’re a big deal on a wide bed
Fenders are steel, they look too nice to me, The wood under the bed is very nice. Headlights are black, cowl band, black single tailight. The metal in the bed does have some rust spots, would cover with a black mat anyway. Engine is not original to this truck by the way. Do you have pix of the rear fenders?
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Old 10-29-2021, 08:18 PM   #17
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Default Re: Late 31 hard top pickup

. Do you have pix of the rear fenders?

Nope…. Do you have pics of what fenders are mounted. Could tell a lot with pics of truck
The black items noted would be correct on commercial

Last edited by Oldbluoval; 10-30-2021 at 06:45 AM.
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Old 11-04-2021, 10:37 PM   #18
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Default Re: Late 31 hard top pickup

So the cab is for sure late 31 with the metal support that supports the solid cab top. Indented firewall and a late 31 tank. I'm still not sure on the bed, if it's original to the truck or one he's picked up. Could a late 31 have the narrow bed originally?
No seats top or bottom and not sure what else may not be there.
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Old 11-05-2021, 12:27 AM   #19
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Default Re: Late 31 hard top pickup

My late 31 Budd cab pickup has a narrow bed. I have no information that would indicate that the narrow bed was other than original to the truck.
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Old 11-05-2021, 05:35 AM   #20
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Default Re: Late 31 hard top pickup

Narrow bed ..yes
I’ve only seen one original wide bed on budd cab
Others were narrow and one for sure was original
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Old 11-05-2021, 06:42 AM   #21
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Default Re: Late 31 hard top pickup

If my memory holds true, the indented firewall is late 31. The steel top was introduced in May of 31 and the widebed came along in August. Yet any configuration could be had. When it comes to the black cowl band, headlights and shroud. Which is correct, black or stainless? The world will never know.
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Old 11-05-2021, 07:00 AM   #22
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Default Re: Late 31 hard top pickup

Some of you may remember my story about the 31 a pickup that I purchased twenty years ago, and still have. I went to look at the truck which needed full restoration. While looking it over, I mentioned to the seller that the bed was not model a and the full steel top seemed odd. He agreed and we set a price of $650 and I brought it home.
It wasn't until I bought the book, How to restore your model a pickup, that I realized what I had. A late 31 steel top with widebed. Engine code was for late May of that year which is about right because engines were stamped and not necessarily installed right away. I have one correct rear fender and I'm still looking for the other.
One more thing. You will not find the correct aftermarket subrails, if needed. You have to buy full length tudor rails and cut them down.
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Old 11-05-2021, 08:42 AM   #23
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Default Re: Late 31 hard top pickup

And the subrails aren’t exactly Tudor
The cross rail at the base of the seat riser is wide like a later coupe. But can be modified
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Old 11-07-2021, 08:57 PM   #24
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Default Re: Late 31 hard top pickup

I guess I should know but I don't. Could someone post a photo of the sub rails? Are they built into the cab or is it bolted on between cab and frame?
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Old 11-08-2021, 06:59 AM   #25
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Default Re: Late 31 hard top pickup

I don’t have a pic but….
They are basically assembled like any other 30-31 coupe or Tudor just shorter of course.
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Old 11-08-2021, 07:22 AM   #26
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guys without photos, valuations are crap shoots.............really.
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Old 11-08-2021, 07:43 AM   #27
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Default Re: Late 31 hard top pickup

Btw…the sills are like a deluxe 31 coupe as they have a wider cross member at the front if seat riser

Last edited by Oldbluoval; 11-08-2021 at 07:50 AM.
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Old 11-08-2021, 08:47 PM   #28
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Default Re: Late 31 hard top pickup

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1ton View Post
If my memory holds true, the indented firewall is late 31. The steel top was introduced in May of 31 and the widebed came along in August.
Close. The indented firewall was May of '31. The wide bed was also May of '31. The Steeltop was August of '31.
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Old 11-09-2021, 09:13 PM   #29
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Default Re: Late 31 hard top pickup

No one has answered if the sub rails are part of the cab or bolted between the cab and frame???? I watched a video today where a fellow was replacing subrails in a 31 coupe and it looks like they are attached to the cab (part of the cab) as it’s placed on the frame. If that’s the case the subrails in the truck are there and solid. I’ll get photos when I can and confirm. Thanks again for all the reply’s.
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Old 11-10-2021, 02:00 AM   #30
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Default Re: Late 31 hard top pickup

The subrails are part of the cab lower structure factory fitted and integral to the cab . This is for sure as I have two Budd cabs one not fitted and one on my p/u .
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