The Ford Barn

Dave1931Pickup · 02-05-2022, 09:56 PM

I was able to drive my not finished '31 CCPU today. The last time I drove it was 1966, just before the Navy took me to far and interesting countries. The truck has been in storage and in pieces since then. I had started to restore it while in high school but never finished, then after the Navy life just got in the way. I still have a lot of body work left to do but it was fun to drive it after so many years. You are probably wondering about the 80 pounds. When I was driving it in high school I remember fitting in it easier than today.

Dave Mellor NJ · 02-06-2022, 12:08 AM

My name's Dave and I also have a 31 pickup. I was also in the Navy.

ndnchf · 02-06-2022, 06:40 AM

My name is Steve (but you can call me Dave

) I too was in the navy - Retired after 20+ years of service. I had a '31 pickup back in the 1980s. Ive always regretted selling it. After I retired I put a lot of weight on. I often thought of getting another A model truck, but knew that at over 280lbs, it would be very uncomfortable at best. But over the last few years I made a serious effort to lose weight and get a little healthier. I've lost over 80lbs and and feel like a new man. A few months ago I started looking for another pickup. An old friend has a sweet driver grade '30 that I've always admired. He agreed to sell it to me. I went to see and it sit in it last week. To my great surprise and pleasure, I fit in it quite easily! The seatback has been thinned, which helps. But after reading so many stories of big guy struggles, I was apprehensive.

Sorry for the short story being long. But wanted to say that you can make it work!

nkaminar · 02-06-2022, 06:48 AM

Congratulations on getting it running. Must be a great feeling. Please post photos as you finish it.

Will N · 02-06-2022, 10:42 AM

The pickups are the body style with the least room between the seat back and steering wheel. I saw a pickup at a meet once where the owner had grafted into the body about 4 inches behind the door, moving the back of the cab backward. This allowed him to move the seat backward. It was very well done.

Synchro909 · 02-06-2022, 03:56 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Will N

The pickups are the body style with the least room between the seat back and steering wheel. I saw a pickup at a meet once where the owner had grafted into the body about 4 inches behind the door, moving the back of the cab backward. This allowed him to move the seat backward. It was very well done.

There was a company here that produced those bodies and I expect the body you saw was one of theirs. For some inexplicable reason, they wouldn't sell to a restorer, only rodders. It came as no surprise to me when I learned they were ceasing production due to lack of demand.

WHN · 02-06-2022, 05:50 PM

75 years old 260 lbs, 6’5” tall. Sport Coupe. Hard getting in and out. Forget working the pedals.

Not like 60 years ago. 180 lbs than.

I wonder if the car has gotten small or is it the older owners who have changed?

Enjoy.

ndnchf · 02-06-2022, 06:00 PM

It dawned on me 3 or 4 years ago that there are fat men and old men, but very few fat old men. I want to live to be an old man, so changed my ways and lost over 80lbs. The bonus is that I now fit comfortably in a model A pickup :-)

Eccentric Old Guy · 02-06-2022, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Will N

The pickups are the body style with the least room between the seat back and steering wheel. I saw a pickup at a meet once where the owner had grafted into the body about 4 inches behind the door, moving the back of the cab backward. This allowed him to move the seat backward. It was very well done.

It was an AA truck, right?

I saw that on eBay recently.....can't remember if it sold, or not.

eog

ronn · 02-07-2022, 09:21 AM

I believe brookville makes those extended bodies...... rodders love them.

KenBolton · 02-07-2022, 09:56 AM

It’s never too late to finish the restoration and enjoy it. It will also bring much joy to many others. Prepare yourself for high fives and other salutations!

Will N · 02-07-2022, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eccentric Old Guy

It was an AA truck, right?

I saw that on eBay recently.....can't remember if it sold, or not.

eog

No, not an AA, a regular A pickup either '31 or '30. I spoke with the owner and he said they did the work themselves.

jrelliott · 02-07-2022, 02:12 PM

Congratulations on getting the pickup up and running. Restoration takes a lot of time, mine 10 years as work and moving got in the way. Just don't get discouraged and give up.
Also Navy '61 to '66 ETN. Thank you and others who have responded as being former Navy personnel for your service.

WHN · 02-07-2022, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrelliott

Congratulations on getting the pickup up and running. Restoration takes a lot of time, mine 10 years as work and moving got in the way. Just don't get discouraged and give up.
Also Navy '61 to '66 ETN. Thank you and others who have responded as being former Navy personnel for your service.

Haze Gray and Underway!

Enjoy.

02-06-2022, 12:08 AM	#2
Dave Mellor NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 782	Re: 56 years and 80 pounds later My name's Dave and I also have a 31 pickup. I was also in the Navy.

02-06-2022, 06:40 AM	#3
ndnchf Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Fredericksburg, Virginia Posts: 766	Re: 56 years and 80 pounds later My name is Steve (but you can call me Dave ) I too was in the navy - Retired after 20+ years of service. I had a '31 pickup back in the 1980s. Ive always regretted selling it. After I retired I put a lot of weight on. I often thought of getting another A model truck, but knew that at over 280lbs, it would be very uncomfortable at best. But over the last few years I made a serious effort to lose weight and get a little healthier. I've lost over 80lbs and and feel like a new man. A few months ago I started looking for another pickup. An old friend has a sweet driver grade '30 that I've always admired. He agreed to sell it to me. I went to see and it sit in it last week. To my great surprise and pleasure, I fit in it quite easily! The seatback has been thinned, which helps. But after reading so many stories of big guy struggles, I was apprehensive. Sorry for the short story being long. But wanted to say that you can make it work!

02-06-2022, 06:48 AM	#4
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,904	Re: 56 years and 80 pounds later Congratulations on getting it running. Must be a great feeling. Please post photos as you finish it. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

02-06-2022, 10:42 AM	#5
Will N Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,100	Re: 56 years and 80 pounds later The pickups are the body style with the least room between the seat back and steering wheel. I saw a pickup at a meet once where the owner had grafted into the body about 4 inches behind the door, moving the back of the cab backward. This allowed him to move the seat backward. It was very well done.

02-06-2022, 05:50 PM	#7
WHN Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Connecticut Shoreline Posts: 1,824	Re: 56 years and 80 pounds later 75 years old 260 lbs, 6’5” tall. Sport Coupe. Hard getting in and out. Forget working the pedals. Not like 60 years ago. 180 lbs than. I wonder if the car has gotten small or is it the older owners who have changed? Enjoy.

02-06-2022, 06:00 PM	#8
ndnchf Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Fredericksburg, Virginia Posts: 766	Re: 56 years and 80 pounds later It dawned on me 3 or 4 years ago that there are fat men and old men, but very few fat old men. I want to live to be an old man, so changed my ways and lost over 80lbs. The bonus is that I now fit comfortably in a model A pickup :-)

02-07-2022, 09:21 AM	#10
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 6,796	Re: 56 years and 80 pounds later I believe brookville makes those extended bodies...... rodders love them.

02-07-2022, 09:56 AM	#11
KenBolton Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Fall Creek, WI Posts: 213	Re: 56 years and 80 pounds later It’s never too late to finish the restoration and enjoy it. It will also bring much joy to many others. Prepare yourself for high fives and other salutations!

02-07-2022, 02:12 PM	#13
jrelliott Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Pine, AZ Posts: 794	Re: 56 years and 80 pounds later Congratulations on getting the pickup up and running. Restoration takes a lot of time, mine 10 years as work and moving got in the way. Just don't get discouraged and give up. Also Navy '61 to '66 ETN. Thank you and others who have responded as being former Navy personnel for your service.