For the most part, the Rough Start features are meant to be cars that you could drive with little to no work necessary. But if you’re focused on one particular vehicle, maybe you might be out of luck finding a running and driving ride. Would you be prepared to do a full-on Roadkill-style build to get it going? That is a question that only the prospective buyer can answer, but for an option, let’s say you wanted a truck from the 1960s. If you go in knowing you’ll need an engine and trans you might have a good shot at putting something together.
Case in point: this 1962 Ford F100 unibody. No, it ain’t pretty, but other than a couple of minor rust holes around the lower fenders, it’s complete. The battered white/green combo lends itself to the “beater farm truck” look, and at $1350, it’s a rolling shell that’s ready for an update. While a Panther subframe swap is ideal, my limited knowledge of Ford Unibody trucks makes me wonder if it’s feasible. Going old-school engine-wise while playing up the gasser truck look might be easier, but either way, you have to consider the $5,000 budget. This one is close, but I think it’s possible if you do it smartly. Focus on the drivability of the Ford and hold off on prettying up the beast and this could be the diamond hidden underneath the very rough. I think a raunchy small block Ford and a manual trans would be plenty for a low-budget build, with a cleaned up bench seat, a tach, and a functioning heater being the only creature comforts needed. But what say you?
Craigslist Ad: 1962 Ford F-100
(Thanks to Ron Ward for the tip!)
I’d love to have it if it was closer to Houston. The 61-66 F-100s have always been my favorites.
All that rust on a unibody Ford pickup is a little scary. Yes?
Unibody in this case means one piece body, but on a regular frame.
Ohhh, that clarifies a lot.
I’d rock this truck.
C Vic front end, see if I could put a Mark VIII / Tbird IRS in the back. Add SBF & attempt to get that RF fender replaced with the right color. Clean, flog, smile.
Swap a crown Vic running gear under it. You get a overdrive trans a fuel injected 5.0. Great front end suspension. And it about 2500.00 for a whole retired police cruiser. You will have money in the bank after you’re done. And it’s a relative easy project!!!!
Whatever you do – you MUST do brakes. These things were woefully lacking in the brake department.
Dad had one of these, years back we were towing a Bobcat on it’s trailer back to our house – came to a stoplight on a hill. Dad had both feet on the brakes and the weight of the bobcat was flat pushing us into the intersection!
Luckily the light changed we were good, but pls do upgrade the brakes.
Add a cage, repaint it in stock colors, lower it, add moon disks and a pissed off Y-Block then head to Elmo and Bonneville………………….wait we have already done that 😉