1938 Ford Other Pickups

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8 - Cyl.

Manual

Gasoline

1938 Ford "Estate Woodie" Flatbed Here is your chance to own a high quality woodie. This truck started life as a pickup, and was totally rebuilt from frame up like a '60s hot rod. It is the truck Henry Ford might have built for his own farm, had he thought of it. The flatbed is crafted in the true "woodie" style of white maple and mahogany veneer on a solid framework. It is strong, yet light enough to preserve decent performance through sound engineering. It is bolted to the frame. The exterior parts were fitted, then removed for finishing, coated front and back with marine spar varnish. Various parts have between 8 to 16 coats of spar varnish for a deep and extremely glossy finish. Varnish was allowed to harden between coats, then flat-sanded before the ensuing coats. After at least two more weeks of hardening, the final coats were color sanded and buffed. The wood is attached with polished marine-grade stainless steel carriage bolts. Where brass and bronze fasteners were used to fasten some pieces, the fastenings were countersunk, then capped with the heads of polished stainless steel carriage bolts. The bed provides storage, accessible through a hinged lid with a locking lift. There is enough storage space to accommodate road trips (you'll notice the folding chairs in the forward compartment). There is also ample storage behind and under the comfortable aftermarket seat, cushioned with contoured foam and a modern support system. Craftsmanship thoughout this car is excellent. The all-steel body and fenders were stripped to bare metal, and a British-trained metal bumper removed all dents to minimize use of filler. Rust was replaced with new steel. Bodywork, paint and final assembly was done by one of the Northwest's top hot rod shops. The interior, all new, evokes woodie interiors from the past -- including bent-wood maple lath strips on the headliner. It is brown vinyl. The cab is sound-deadened, including the doors. Ventilation is natural, through a working cowl vent and the front windshield, which cranks out properly. Window glass and the windshield are all new and are lightly tinted an antique green for authenticity. Flathead Ford engines are now popular, and this lovely 1948 flathead runs very well. The block was pressure-tested for cracks and leaks before a total rebuild. It sports vintage aluminum heads, dual Ford 94 two-barrel carbs on a vintage intake manifold. Because the carbs are close together and on long vertical risers, the linkage can be progressive, with the primary carb set up for easy starts, while the secondary carb is totally shut down. This provides a sweet idle and smooth around-town driving -- but once the gas pedal is pushed toward the firewall, both carbs go to work together -- and you get that '60s hot-rod experience. The engine has steel headers running dual exhausts back through Smithy mufflers. Sound is throaty and sweet. The transmission is rebuilt and stock. Because it is a truck, you may want to double-clutch, especially coming down from third to second -- but you don't have to (just better shifts if you do so). Tube shocks, aftermarket springs and a dropped front axle contribute to improved handling. The mechanical brakes were replaced with 1948-vintage Ford hydraulic backing plates and drums to improve stopping power. A 1939 pedal assembly replaced the original. The steering box was replaced with a Vega box, which improves handling. All suspension components are either new or rebuilt, so it handles solidly. However, the wide-whitewalls (bigger in back than in front) are bias-ply tires, as they would have been back in the '60s. Bias-ply tires do not track as well as radials, so, in short, this truck drives like a truck or a vintage car. It's vintage gearbox and closed-driveshaft rear end add to the experience. There is no air conditioning, nor is there a heater. It is a basic truck. So, if you are looking for a modern automobile hiding under vintage sheetmetal, this is likely not the vehicle for you. They are available, and they can be comfy. But if you want something truly unique, a truck that always draws a crowd, generates enthusiastic praise and is just plain fun to drive, this offering might fit you perfectly. The truck project was started while my son was in high school, then set aside while we together built a 1972 Bronco. He's 32 years old now, so it has been a while since the inception. The truck was worked on in stages, between other projects. The motor was run regularly, and the truck was moved often to keep brakes and other moving parts limber. It was finally finished last year and has been driven just under 250 miles since it was licensed. It earned trophies the two times it was shown, including a Top 20 award. This woodie turns heads and brings smiles. Why am I selling? For me, the fun is in the creative aspects of the car hobby and in turning wrenches and doing careful assembly. (I am right now, for instance, building a track-worthy Italian sports car). As you see from the low mileage, it doesn't come out from its cover all that often (this week it is going over to a nearby town for another show, so the mileage will be close to 300 by the time it sells. It is time to part with the truck to make room for -- and provide financing for completion of -- my newest project. Blemishes? The stainless steel on this vehicle has all been straightened and polished to a high luster. However, the hood ornament, which is a very good original piece, is chrome plated and the chrome shows some pitting (please study the photo). This does not distract from the overall beauty of the truck, but I think it does need to be mentioned. That's it. This is a great vehicle, so good luck in your bidding. If you would like to see it before entering your winning bid, come ahead. It is in Walla Walla, WA, a place well worth a visit (look it up on Google). The fine print: I am advertising this in other venues as well as here, so I reserve the right to cancel this auction if it sells before this auction finishes. The auction will run according to eBay rules, so please don't ask me to bend them. Do know, however, that the entry bid here is well below the asking price in the other venues I am advertising this vehicle. Please also note that this truck is being sold AS IS. Due to its age, there is no warranty other than to assure you it will be running and driving prior to you taking possession. Because this car is of low mileage, it likely still has some sorting to do. But it does drive and handle well, and it should be fine on the road. If you live much further than, say, Seattle, you may want to ship it, then get used to it with local drives (which is what I have been doing). All shipping arrangements are the buyer's responsibility. I will deliver it locally to a carrier or truck, but it is yours once loading begins, so please ensure that your shipper is reputable and carries insurance. This auction is for United States and Canadian buyers only, so if you live outside of one of these countries, I am sorry, I will not make an exception. Potential buyers with a score of less than 10, please contact me before entering bidding. I will not finance under any conditions (sorry), nor do I want to consider any trades. The buyer must place a non-refundable deposit of $1,000 within 48 hours of the ending of the auction (PayPal only, please) and must finalize the sale with full payment within 7 days (by cash in person or by cashiers check, which must clear before the car will be released).