See below for Steve’s story.  Click on the images for larger versions.

My 1950 Ford F-1 was a 65th birthday present from my wife, Sue.  It was advertised in Hemmings and located in South Carolina.  After numerous phone calls and photo exchanges, a price was negotiated.  The truck was represented as in “perfect condition” with a Cadillac engine that ran like a charm.  It would present no problem to drive it back to California.

I talked Joe D. into flying back to South Carolina with me and driving the truck back home.  Armed with maps and high expectations, we embarked on our adventure.  After picking up the truck, we stopped in Atlanta to visit a mutual friend who owned a full-service gas station.  We changed the oil, replaced a few parts and headed home.  Less than 100 miles on the road, the engine began knocking and we pulled over near Talladega Speedway in Alabama and called our friend to come and get us.

I mad arrangements to have the truck trailered home and Joe and I flew back.  After arriving back in Chatsworth, I put a 350 High Performance engine, front disc brakes with power assist, power steering and air conditioning.  It had a 350 Turbo transmission and a 9″ Ford rear end in it when purchased.

The original paint was bright yellow over rust and dents.  I had body work done and re-painted it Brandywine with a black base.  A little pin striping added recently finished my 20 year project.