So a few days ago my friend told me about a truck that he knew was sitting outside a barn on a Ranch in California. He told me his good friend's dad owned the ranch and was lookin to clean out some of his collection to clean up the place a bit. So we got in touch with the guys son, and we all headed out there yesterday, about a hour and a half drive or so to get there overall. When we got there, i saw a beautiful 1940 Ford truck. Now for me, personally, aside from maybe carmen electra and scarlett johansen there arent many things on this planet prettier then a 40 ford truck. The truck was brilliant. Steel primered over, and the interior taken out for paint that never happened. After a while of hanging out with the family, which was awesome, i mean some of the kindest most hospital just cool people to hang out with, we went and checked out the truck. But first, i heard a story from Don (the owner) how when he was a young hot rodder... He told me this story about drag racing on this road in town with his 40s plymouth coupe, hemi powered against a guy from the next town with his 63 fairlane with a 427 thunderbolt. right when they were getting ready to go, way off down the road some headlights approached and pulled over by the buddy who was designated to drop the light to start the race, and apparently it was two deputies. Well, don's friend, a bit daft, told the cops, "hey there officers, im just bout to drop the light on this drag race" and when the cop offered to drop the light for him, he let them! So as the story goes they are tearing *** down this back country road, and as they approach the flag dropper, there are two deputy sheriffs standing there with their friend scrambling to their cars. Well he just keeps going all out, and pulls into some old timers barn, shuts the door, and runs up to the old timers house... as the cops pull up looking for a red plymouth, the old timer walks out of his house, and says, "nope just me and this kid here (Don the driver) sittin for about 5 hours"... so he got away just like in the movies, haha Anyways, so this truck is sweet, he agrees to let it go for a 3500 bucks, with a bed full of parts, and every single item to build the truck from window moldings to door handles to extra stearing boxes and radiators. The history behind the truck is, some hot rod builder in the 70s from our town started building it, and put in this '58 or '59 Olds Rocket 371 j2, the strombergs, and set it up to a lincoln zephyr trans. Then he cut the rear cross members up to lower it a bit, but kept he same suspension. It hasnt been worked on since then. Its clean, straight, rust free, and the motor was rebuilt prior to the isntal and is clean and solid. I plan on keeping it as much as what i figure the guy in the 70s would have done. heres some pics.
Good for you! Looks like you have a good start. I bought a '41 last fall, and am having a ball updating and refining it. Steve
Great truck,is that your shop ? It sure is purdy,love to have the truck and shop......good luck with her...................YG
You have a great start there. My '41 is no blue-ribbon show dog, but it's fun to drive, and useful as a truck. Keep us updated as you put yours together.
I'll probably never find a '40 pickup like that, but I could build one like that! That thing is *****in'! You are a lucky man!
Nice find and you were lucky enough to meet someone who knew what he had and didn't try to nail you to the wall on the price or give you the im gonna fix it up someday bs thats a great story good luck with the truck.
You'll have to bring it out to the North-South Run at the Emb***y Suites in SLO this August, lots of 40 lovers at this show.
Man, that's a great score but I have to say, I've had a few and I'm very partial to the 40-41 Ford p-up. Jerry Berger of the former Street Rod Builder editor fame has my old red 40 p-up and I've got one in the build process now. Good luck with it and keep us posted on the build
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