1942 Ford Pickup

[Gramps46]

This model caught me by surprise.  It is a Danbury Mint 1942 Ford pickup. 

Surprise 1 - I did not realize Ford was still selling civilian pickups in 1942.

Surprise 2 - I did not know Danbury Mint made a '42 Ford Pickup

Surprise 3 -  I found the DM Ford on the bay complete for half the going price.

[THarrison351]

These trucks are great aren't they! The first time I saw one, I just had to have it. That jail bar front end! I picked up one for cheap a couple months ago. I'd been hunting one for awhile. Just missed one for $15.00 that was perfect. My phone wouldn't bid. No one bid and I lost out. I picked up the one I got for a better deal because the shipping was cheaper and the bid was only a few dollars more. If I could change one thing it would be the whitewalls.  

Edited March 21, 2021 by THarrison351

[Tom Geiger]

I have one of those! I will buy diecast light commercial trucks not done as plastic kits, and this is one of those!  Can you say, “Run Forest Run!”

[dimaxion]

On 3/20/2021 at 10:08 PM, THarrison351 said:

These trucks are great aren't they! The first time I saw one, I just had to have it. That jail bar front end! I picked up one for cheap a couple months ago. I'd been hunting one for awhile. Just missed one for $15.00 that was perfect. My phone wouldn't bid. No one bid and I lost out. I picked up the one I got for a better deal because the shipping was cheaper and the bid was only a few dollars more. If I could change one thing it would be the whitewalls.  

Why eliminate the White Walls ? The Best wearing, Puncture Resistant  Premium Tires were Whitewalls . This has :  R Bumper , Dual Wipers . Heater . Optioned out and loaded up . Why would a Buyer skimp on tires at the Verge of Nationwide Rationing I ask ?  A Yard Ornament won't be useful for other than Scrap during War Time . IMHO you did not live it or understand the times . This is a Perfect Replica ..Thanx 

[THarrison351]

7 hours ago, dimaxion said:

IMHO you did not live it or understand the times .

No I didn't, its just every time I see a period photograph or advertisement, trucks don't have wide whitewalls. I don't think truck buyers bought the premium puncture resistant tires for work trucks. They bought what could be afforded or what was available, especially once tires were being rationed during the war. 

[slusher]

Beautiful truck and find!

[dimaxion]

10 hours ago, THarrison351 said:

No I didn't, its just every time I see a period photograph or advertisement, trucks don't have wide whitewalls. I don't think truck buyers bought the premium puncture resistant tires for work trucks. They bought what could be afforded or what was available, especially once tires were being rationed during the war. 

I agree with the Advertisements being Black Walls . Family Members were Car Sales / Service Professionals . I was a Car Guy since I could Talk . I did pay attention when Grown Ups Spoke . This did not translate into the Frugal Buyer keeping up the White Walls nor the Truck as Pristine . Just the Frugal Buyer spent the Cash for the White Walls until there weren't any . The Premium Tire always did have the Best Materials and gives the most Reliability and Wear . White Wall Tires seem to be Publicly distasteful these days . I constantly see badmouthing . Such as "On Roll Aids" . To myself , seeing a Restoration with Black Walls when it had White Walls Originally and all the Time it was used for Transportation make my Eyeballs Bleed . lol ..  Thanx .. 

[ewetwo]

Really nice.

[cobraman]

That's purdy !

[John1955]

On 4/15/2021 at 8:08 PM, THarrison351 said:

No I didn't, its just every time I see a period photograph or advertisement, trucks don't have wide whitewalls. I don't think truck buyers bought the premium puncture resistant tires for work trucks. They bought what could be afforded or what was available, especially once tires were being rationed during the war. 

You're correct. Even when I was growing up in the 1960's, it was extremely rare to see whitewalls on pickup trucks. Before that, it was unheard of. I also have that Danbury Mint '42 Ford pickup which I bought on eBay. All U.S. automakers produced 1942 cars and trucks for civilians because they had been introduced in September 1941 before Pearl Harbor was attacked. Civilian production ended in early February 1942. 

Interesting tidbit: DeSoto's 1942 model had hidden headlights for the first time on it's '42 models. After the war, DeSoto never offered that again, making the '42 DeSoto one of the rarest cars ever. 
 

[misterNNL]

Remember that during the period this was available nearly everything was rationed including of course tires. It was s very common practice for local law enforcement to recommend that everyone record the serial numbers on your tires. Outright theft was rampant and having that information helped recover those precious tires.You used what ever was available.

[misterNNL]

Just now, misterNNL said:

Remember that during the period this was available nearly everything was rationed including of course tires. It was a very common practice for local law enforcement to recommend that everyone record the serial numbers on your tires. Outright theft was rampant and having that information helped recover those precious tires.You used what ever was available.