Up for auction, AT NO RESERVE, is a very desirable 1976 Ford F-250 4 x 4 Highboy. It is not very often a 1976 Highboy is found that has not either been over-restored or beat into submission. The truck does notqualify as a “Survivor” but is respectable enough to establish a new class – “The Working Class”! This highboy is a 100% rust free one family owned California blue plate truck! The truck runs and drives great! Drive and enjoy while doing a much deserved restoration!
The truck was sold new in Northern California to Mr. George Mussat. Mr. Mussat special ordered the truck and received a promotional plaque which reads “Custom Built by Ford for George Mussat”. The plaque is still displayed on the glove box door (see photo)!
The paint and body are 99% original with absolutely NO RUST (see photos of floorboard with carpet removed)! Almost unheard of for these highboys! Unfortunately after years of service to Mr. Mussat the truck was relegated to fire wood duty and has the bumps and bruises in the bed to prove it. The truck is very useable as is (a bedliner has been installed) but you would want to replace the bed if a full restore was being done (I have a rust free box that I had purchased to do just that and would be willing to sell it if the winning bidder was interested).
And for the balance of the body, if you look closely at the photos you will see light dents and dings in several locations. I have collected all the parts to do a 1st class restore and those parts would be available to the winning bidder. There is no major damage but certainly 40 years of bruises you would expect on a truck. All chrome is in place and in fair to good condition.
The interior is also original and in good condition considering its age. It is important to note the interior is lightly worn as one would expect for a 40 year old truck but not beat like typically seen in vehicles. The headliner and visors are fine as are the metal painted surfaces. The carpet is new and great. The seat is original and not broken down but is ready to be recovered. The seat foam and structure are very solid but the original cover is showing wear as previously noted. I love these old trucks but they have to be tidy – This interior is so original and clean it is just cool!! The door panels are original and good (drivers panel does have a crack at the top), the dome light works, seat belts are all there and operational as is the glove box compartment. And the truck is equipped with a functioning AM/FM radio! The dash pad is very nice but does have some small hairline cracking starting – It is really tough to see but does exist.
The truck runs and drives nicely. Brakes are good (new power brake booster and master cylinder), and the 360 (rebuilt 30,000 miles ago) runs great. . Transmission shifts smoothly and engaging and disengaging the transfer case is smooth (full time 4x4 on this rig). Truck has a very nice sounding exhaust. The Auxiliary fuel tank is not connected at this time (tank selector valve has been removed but I am including one with the truck). The truck will be sold with the original 16.5 steel wheels, hubcaps, and 9.50 x 16.5 AT Radials with lots of tread left – I will be keeping the tires and wheels shown in the photos for one of my other highboys).
The undercarriage shows light grease, grime and surface rust from years of use but not the dents, drips and bends from years of abuse. And no drip, leaks or slobbers which is uncharacteristic for these rigs!
What does the truck need to be a nice daily driver? The instrument cluster lights checked out (probably the switch) the horn operating (two new (used) horns come with the truck), a new turn indicator mechanism (I have one that will be sold with the truck) a new heater core and, depending on where you live, the A/C hooked up and operable (needs a compressor, I have one available, a dryer and condenser and hoses)
Drive and enjoy as you restore or strip her down and do a frame off restoration – The truck is well worth the time, effort and investment! You see these highboys fully restored going for well over $10,000. God only knows what is hiding under the shiny paint and chrome engine jewelry!
I currently have 5 of these trucks but am thinning them out to pursue other interests. This 1976 Highboy has great “Bones” and is really the only one I have not had the opportunity to perform a well deserved and worthwhile restoration.
This is a noreserve auction! Do not miss this one; they do not come along very often!
I encourage anyone interested in bidding on this truck to call me and ask questions. I have tried my best to describe the truck but things are forgotten or lost in translation, AND expectations sometimes do not align with reality. A good little chat will go a long ways in making certain the transaction is as smooth as possible. Please feel free to call Dean at 661-703-8402 with any questions.
I reserve the right to end this auction early as the truck is also for sale locally.
Thanks and Happy Bidding!!!!!