First Flathead

Sixseven

Sixseven

Well-known member
It looks like the deal will happen. I pick up the truck this week, it's an original, nearly complete, unmolested '41, 1/2-ton pickup. It will stay unmolested; it will not stay incompete. It runs, shifts and bounces, its got some rust in the typical places, has a few dents and has several different layers of paint showing. It does not have factory air, the 350 option, Mustang II front suspension, or diamond tufted crushed velvet interior.

It is drivable so I can enjoy it while pick at repairs for a couple of years to correct/rebuild/maintain several things. This also gives me time to attend car shows to see other peoples restorations, to collect parts and learn more about the vehicle. I could be 5 years out from a frame-off restoration.

I will post pics of the pickup after I pick it up with my newer pickup. Then i will change my avatar picture, too.
 
Welcome Sixseven. I joined the Barn just last month and like you have a little project that looks mostly unmolested. It's a '47 Merc sedan. No idea at all about it's history except to say it has been driven in the last 10 years. I think it was driven for years, until one day it couldn't pass the annual inspection! I intend to get her back on the road (legally) sometime in the not-too-distant future, but like your project it might take a while. You will no doubt enjoy the time you spend on your old truck as I have been on my old gal.
 
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Early look-over tells me that I have a '36 Ford front bumper. That is based on the Bob Drake bumper ID page. The back of the bumper curls down. I have a full steel pan in the bed; is that original or a cure for rotten boards? THe headlight rims are chromed. Most of the 41 pics I see show them to be painted.
 
Sixseven, GREAT TRUCK you have!!!! My truck had black walls, painted trim for headlights. I just changed the tires to white walls (used), little chrome headlight trim and pin strip and it changed the whole truck. Everything is stock on my 41, glad you got the truck.
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Sixseven Bottom of the bed should be metal. There is wood underneath the metal. Many place wood in the bottom of the bed over the metal because they just prefer the look. These we're work horses in the day, functional was the idea. Good luck with your new toy!
 
CA Born 36, do you mean like this:

IMG_1571_zps3b23b5ef.jpg

The bottom of the bed has a full weld bead around the perimeter. This is a view towards the front right corner of the bed. There is also a bar welded across the front bed panel, about midway up
 
Bruce in southern OH said:
Sixseven, GREAT TRUCK you have!!!! My truck had black walls, painted trim for headlights. I just changed the tires to white walls (used), little chrome headlight trim and pin strip and it changed the whole truck. Everything is stock on my 41, glad you got the truck.
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Your truck is a beaut! I like your rear view mirrors, i have the clamp-on type; probably aftermarket.
 
I'm pretty sure you can buy that 'new car smell' in a can nowadays. Congrats on the truck. Looks great to me!!
 
I'm very envious of you. The 40 &41's ar my favorite trucks. They were also voted the best looking truck of the 20th century by somebody.
 
Ol' Ron said:
I'm very envious of you. The 40 &41's ar my favorite trucks. They were also voted the best looking truck of the 20th century by somebody.
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Hey Ol' Ron, good to meet a fellow Vermonster, I grew up in Essex Center and was a member of the Vt Auto Enthusiasts (VAE) back in high school (70's). I can't remember too many names except Clark Wright and Mr. Bettis from up rt 15, Morrisville way. Betti's was a big Buick collector and had a killer junk yard.

Would that person voting best looking truck of the 20th century have an avatar photo similar to yours?
 
Sixseven unfortunately it looks like someone has welded in a patch for your bed bottom the original has some beads that run the length of the bed, and there would be an access for the fuel sending unit toward the rear of the bed. Someone else would have to provide a picture as unfortunately I let my truck go years ago. The rod across the back bed wall is also a custom addition, maybe to straighten the wall. Many of these would get a bow, causing dirt to gather between the bed and cab rusting out the cab.
 
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sixseven,
How I wish your '41 would be ready to go to the BIG Gettysburg Meet in
mid June. My plans are to drive my '41 1/2ton down...to haul parts, not to show.
If you can make the Meet look us up in the swap meet. Ours is maroon with black fenders and is still a working vehicle.
Charlie ny
 
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