1945 Ford Pickup

Description

Here's a rare truck that an entire nation was eager to see. As World War II was winding down, civilian production began to gear up again. An industrial giant like Ford had access to steel even when it was in short supply, and so it was able to get a few new trucks back in the hands of Americans at home. This 1945 Ford pickup was one of those lucky few.

It almost feels like this truck should be painted red, white, and blue, but instead it's a more calm military green with black accents. This is an older paintjob, and on a truck this honest, it just fits nicely. It's a similar case with the real wood truck bed, which shows signs of carrying a workload but no severe scratches or impressions. Don't be tempted to replace the bedrails or bumpers with chrome. This pickup has earned its stripes while coming out of a tough time of shortages, and the lack of brightwork tells this Ford's history. In fact, you might see other trucks from this era with side-mounted spares tires, but that is not necessarily correct. Rubber was also still in short supply in 1945, and so staying true to the unique model year, the spare is not mounted on this one.

Trucks were the first civilian vehicles to come back after WWII because they were the workhorses needed to help rebuild in a peacetime economy. There's no better reminder than with the no-nonsense interior. The brown gives a hint at this pickup's original color scheme, and everything feels nearly original, even the heater. That means there is a bit of wear and tear in places like the gauges and the steering wheel, but it's those minimal marks make you wish this pickup could tell its stories of the last seven decades.

While these trucks looked very similar to their pre-war counterparts, Ford did improve the engine and chassis. The 239 cubic-inch Ford flathead V8 was now standard issue. Back then this was great for hauling bigger loads, but today it just adds to this pickup's industrial symphony of simplicity. It is a rhythmic roar that feels like being in charge of a mini locomotive as the tempo increases with the acceleration. The three-speed manual transmission shifts crisply and the brakes have been properly maintained. Leaf springs, solid wheels, and bias ply tires are far from modern, which makes them perfect in this time capsule of a pickup. In the end, the full experience of being behind the wheel feels like rolling history.

This is a truck that gets respect everywhere, and that's even before you tell them what year it is. This pickup has so many stories to tell that it's ready to be your new best friend. Call now!!