How do you go about selling an old friend?
It is with a heavy heart that I must part with my 1930 Model “A”Ford closed cab pickup truck.
I bought the old girl after I got out of the service in 1968, which means I've had her for 52 years. I've always believed I was the second owner, from new.
She was always a great truck, and I enjoyed having her. But, like the song goes, “You've got to know when to hold them and know when to fold them.”
I bought her in Michigan and she still has a clear Michigan title, even though I have bounced around to other states between then and now.Regardless of the fact that she spent many years in Michigan, there is very little rust. You can see the quarter panel rust on both sides. As you may know, you can buy repair patches for those quarter panels.
The truck had an amateur restoration done by my father and me many, many years ago, but it has never been hot rodded.
I can't say with any certainty that it is the original engine that Henry Ford installed, as many people swapped engines. The serial number does indicate that it is a 1930 Model “A” engine, however.
A number of years ago, I brought the truck to a professional antique automobile garage, and the owner and chief mechanic worked away on it, all the while sending me thousands and thousands of dollars in invoices, which I paid. I realize I will never get that money back,but it is time to sell. I am 75 years old and I realize I will never restore it.
After what seemed like two or three years of the mechanic working on it, he suffered a stroke. My son and I had to go to his garage to collect the truck and whatever parts were there, in my name. I didn't inventory every single item, and could not talk to the mechanic, but some things I know are missing. The right front fender, the steering column (but the steering wheel is included), perhaps one of either the steering column spark control or throttle control levers, the gearshift knob, the radiator and gas caps, the windshield and frame, and the horn. I'm sure there are little odds and ends that are missing, but those are the main things I noticed.
Obviously,a number of things have to be refurbished, but it is a wonderful truck that just needs to be brought back to life.
Here are the things that I paid to have done: the engine was completely overhauled, although it is set up at the moment, due to the fact that it has been parked for some time. Everyone has their secret way of freeing up and engine, including Marvel Mystery Oil in the cylinders and that sort of thing. The rear end was rebuilt. The brakes have been rebuilt. The generator has been replaced with a six volt alternator. Brackets are in place for modern shock absorbers.
I endeavored to take photographs of the truck from all angles, as it sits on my equipment trailer. If you require more photographs of anything, just let me know.
I will be very sad to see it go down the road, but that's just life.
Please let me know if you have any further questions.
It goes without saying that the truck will have to be paid for in full before it leaves, and unless payment is made in cash, any money orders or cashiers checks will have to clear first.
A $500 PayPal deposit is due within 48 hours of the close of the auction.
The truck is located in East Tennessee.
The best of luck to each of you.