Need Some Pointers on Buying an Old Truck

[TJR178]

Ok all you old car freaks, I need some help.  I'm going to look at a 1951 Ford F1 Pick-up on Sunday.  My mom wants to get it for my dad for his 60th bd.  He always talks about wanting a '51.  Anyway, the truck has a 302 in it and looks good in the pics.  It's an older gentleman that's selling it (not the original owner).  He says it's in good shape and runs well.

So:

1) What do I need to look for?
1A) Anything model specific?
2) Price is $6500, thoughts?
3) I'll take any advice.

I know how to buy cars that have been made during my lifespan, but nothing that is close to 20 years pre-me.  I know some of you love to restore vintage cars, so hopefully I can get some of your advice.

I appreciate the help! 

[Oldfisti]

Not much input here but I would make sure the motor swap looks good and not cobbed.

[zooom]

 
does your Dad want an origional truck, a restoration project, or a modified/modernized turn key truck?....the answer there can change it all in a moment....depending on mods he may want or want to do and his level of tinkering he may want or not, or how he wants to drive/use it can make this a crappy purchase or a good one...

[RAT900]

Get up under it and look for structural chassis rust-through, and/or rusted out support braces affixed to the chassis (to support attached body sections or drivetrain components leaf springs etc)

check the steering gearbox mounting point and make sure its still secure to good metal

motor mounts good?

Tranny whining like my ex-wife?

at 6500 I would expect tight steering, good brakes and a decent drivetrain  with a body/bed/interior that could use some renewing

electrical is pretty straight forward on old trucks don't let that put you off

shame it doesn't have the original motor

[zooom]

shame it doesn't have the original motor

+1....woulda been a 255  straight 6 Cylinder wouldn't it?

[RAT900]

or possibly a flathead V8

Flat 6 and 8 were the choices

[ducpainter]

+1....woulda been a 255  straight 6 Cylinder wouldn't it?

Nope 226 flathead 6

or 239 flathead 8

[Howie]

shame it doesn't have the original motor

Maybe, to each his own,  but you bring up a good point.  Dad may not want a modern engine or other upgrades.  I would find out before purchasing the truck.

Rat, when are you bringing that BSA down to Matchless?  A beer will be waiting for you.

[RAT900]

Maybe, to each his own,  but you bring up a good point.  Dad may not want a modern engine or other upgrades.  I would find out before purchasing the truck.

Rat, when are you bringing that BSA down to Matchless?  A beer will be waiting for you.

I just got the paperwork on it, the seller found the reggie it was last on the road in 1985...as a Norton despite the G15CSR serials

leads me to believe it is a Berliner Motors Import Matchless that they rebadged to be a "Norton 750SS" (not to be confused with the later Commando SS) for sales appeal

That would explain why it has the smaller P11/N15 tank on it

Anyway the timing is way off I think the magneto advance unit slipped on the taper shaft when the guy re-built the motor for me

It will only pop and burp

So I need to get a degree wheel and pop the timing cover and sort through that

Since it is outside now in the garage I am waiting for warm sunny days to inspire me to plunge into it once more

I hope we still will have warm sunny days before the end of the world 

[TJR178]

Hey thanks guys.  Dad doesn't care if the truck is original or not, based on past talks.  He once saw a '51 with a Caddie engine in it and was ready to right a check before it was sold.  That thing was heavily modified.  I want to be sure that, if we get him a truck, it's turn-key and ready to drive.  He'll definitely put his own flavor to it.

I was told on another forum to look for body filler at the fender seams.  These things have a horizontal line where the top and bottom halfs of the fenders mate.  I can see that this one is filled.  I'll definitely be taking a magnet.

Thanks for the list RAT!  I'll keep all that in mind when I go check out the truck tomorrow.  I appreciate all your help guys!