Now here is a very special truck!  This is a very straight, virtually rust-free 1949 Ford F-5 that has a new rebuilt flathead V-8 Lincoln engine.  I was told that this Ford was used in the small town of LaPine, Oregon as a tow truck many years ago.  After the winch and lift unit on the back was removed, it was purchased and converted to a flatbed by a gentleman who hauled and exported madrone burls for use as appliqués in European cars, etc.  He decided that the stock inline 6 cylinder engine was not powerful or fast enough for him, so he found a really nice, freshly rebuilt Lincoln flathead V-8 engine.  The engine itself has quite a history.  It was originally used and rebuilt in an old historic logging camp in the mountains of Southern Oregon many years ago.  I understand that it was originally rebuilt for use in an antique log truck, but ended up being sold and put in this truck instead.  Since it had been a while since the engine was rebuilt, I decided that I would take one of the heads off to take a look at the cylinder walls, etc.  Sure enough, everything looked like new.  If I remember right, you could even see the cross hatching on the cylinder walls!  At any rate, I remember being very happy and thinking, “yep, he told me the truth—it’s been rebuilt, and has either no miles on it, or very few.”   I bought a new head gasket and put it back together. 

As far as the rear end goes, the guy who owned it before me also decided it needed more gears than the 4 speed transmission and single speed rear end provided, so he put a 2-speed Rockwell rear end in it.  I was told that before he put this super heavy-duty rear end in it, he also put brand new brakes in it,and had something else done to either the gears or electric shifting unit to get it in tip top shape.  Plus, the tires he put on the rear are deep lug and have a lot of tread left.

The body of this truck is very solid and straight.  The only dents I could find are two small dents just behind and it front of the turn signal on the fender on the passenger’s side and another on the top of the cab on the passenger’s side.  These dents can be easily pushed out and repaired.  As far as rust goes, the only spots of concern that I can find aren’t really of serious concern at all.  The paint has peeled a bit on the fenders and in a few other places so it has some light surface rust with no pits or anything serious at all.  A little sand paper and it’s gone.  A few small spots at the bottom of the doors and some places on the floor boards do have some rusty spots with some flaking in a few spots, but because the metal is so much thicker on this truck than on any of the newer ones, I can’t find any rusted through spots anywhere. 

As you can see, this truck does come with its original rear end and a bunch of miscellaneous parts.  The rear end is all hooked up to the frame, but the engine, although bolted to the transmission and the engine mounts, does need to have the radiator and hoses all hooked up to it.  The previous owner had to make some modifications to the engine and transmission mounts to accommodate the larger V-8 engine.  As you can see the truck does need some work.  For example, it needs some new glass, seat upholstery, new decking, and a few other things.  Take a close look at the photos, and if you have any questions, just let me know.  It looks like all of the parts needed to get it on the road again come with it including drivelines, radiator, bolts, nuts, etc.  I think most of these parts are original to this truck, including a radiator in amazingly good condition with nice straight fins, etc.  It also comes with new wind wing glass.  As you can see, the truck is very straight for its age and even has the original stock, very rare Ford twin spotlights.  Like most of the rest of the chrome and stainless on this truck, these lights are also in excellent condition with no hazing or cracks, let alone peeling…very, very nice!  I have been told they are worth a lot just by themselves!  I kept this truck out of the weather until recently when I put it in the yard to get all of the parts together for these photos.  As you can see, the wood on the bed is shot, so if you keep it as a flatbed, it will need a new deck. 

I am really going to miss it and had big plans for it, but a bunch of bills came up and I have to sell it.  I know I won’t find another one like it, but I can’t keep it.  I hope it goes to a great home where someone will restore it like I was going to and get it back to its former glory.  I almost forgot, it does have a clear title too.   If you are the high bidder, you can of course come get it yourself, or I will assist in loading for the shipper of your choice.  Thanks for viewing this auction!