Late 31 hard top pickup

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History

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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,,,,,,,,
 
bucket-o-rust said:
What makes you think it is not an original pickup cab?
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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.
 
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
 
Oldbluoval said:
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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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.
 
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.
 
Here's some pictures, the two center bows are steel.
 

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Bob C said:
Here's some pictures, the two center bows are steel.
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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.
 
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
 
'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.
 
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
 
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?
 
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
 
Oldbluoval said:
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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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?
 
. 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
 
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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.
 
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.
 
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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