How to trace history of an '51 F3 pickup ?

[Baron_Bergamot]

So on further inspection the handbrake lever is located next to the shifter, in the same gearbox cover plate, not in the footwell. It is absolutely wearing 17" split wheels with 7.5x17" hoops as you described Stu. Might look at changing those... I didn't take any wheels off the other day when I was with it but I have the bed lifted so I'll have a measure of the drums, but potentially Bendix brakes based on the lever location you described. Hopefully. As the brakes do need work as two of the four are binding a lot.

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Originally Posted by GB SISSON

There was a place on Memorial Highway in Mt.Vernon Washington called 'Barn Fine Classics." It was going great guns until the Great Recession put an end to the fun (for a while). I bought a 51 F3 in Mt. Vernon about 2004. It had been brought out from N.Dakota by a guy from there that traveled here seasonally and always brought a truck to flip. I sold it maybe 5 years later here on the island, but it dissappeared soon after. I bolted up a set of 16" wheels from a '90s F250. Any signs of 'Old Glory' under the hood paint?

The paint on mine is by my eye all original vermillion red. I can't even see anything that looks like its been repainted or touched up. Also mine has a hellova front bumper extended out from the chassis rails by a foot with a tow ball on it (my guess is early modification as they are gas welds).

I did however have a closer look at the keys that came with it, and it has keys made by companies from Indianan, Wisconsin, Ohio and Alabama. Which perhaps traces is movements a little. I'm not sure why someone would order keys from so many different states (700 mile radius) for any other reason than being there. And one other key which seems very old and worn smooth with "DAK77" stamped on it but no other markings. Interestingly only two keys actually do anything, the ignition (stamped All Lock Co. Selma, Alabama) and the gas cap (stamped Stant MFG. Co. Incorporated. Indiana)