BF Auction: 1958 Ford F350 (2024)

• Seller: Keith O
• Location: Walsenburg, Colorado
• Mileage: 14,393 Shown
• Chassis #: F35J8K17783
• Title Status: Missing
• Engine: Inline 6-Cylinder
• Transmission: 4-Speed Manual

There is something very attractive about purchasing a project candidate with a fascinating history. It typically adds little to its value, but it represents an excellent conversation starter wherever the new owner takes their classic. Such is the case with this 1958 Ford F350. This truck’s active years were spent servicing the mining industry, but it has been dormant for decades. However, it is a solid and complete Truck with a low odometer reading. The current owner feels it deserves a new home with an enthusiast willing to recapture its glory days. Therefore, he has listed the F350 with us at Barn Finds Auctions.

Ford’s Third Generation F-Series range enjoyed a relatively short production life, gracing showrooms from 1957 until 1960. Our feature F350 rolled off the line in 1958, and years of exposure to the elements have faded its Meadow Green paint. Many exterior surfaces now wear surface corrosion. However, this is typical dry-climate deterioration, meaning the winning bidder doesn’t face the specter of penetrating rust. The exterior, including the prone lower cab corners, is clean. The floors are rock-solid, allowing the buyer to leave the welder and grinder tucked away in the corner of their workshop. The lack of steel penetration would enable the new owner to treat the existing corrosion to prevent further deterioration and preserve the F350 as a genuine survivor. It carries the features confirming it worked to earn a living, with the steel snatch block bed designed for heavy-duty work. The seller has since scrapped the HeliArc welder visible in the photos as it was irreparable. That probably isn’t bad because it instantly wiped 800 lbs from the truck’s weight! The bed retains the arms and braces it utilized during its working life, and the front bumper features a hydraulic lift driven by an electric motor, which the operator engages with a lever on the dash. The glass is clean and clear, and the doors open and close easily.

The owner performed detective work to learn about this F350’s history, which is quite fascinating. Its original owner was a firm called Virginia Drilling Company. Located in Southwest Virginia, it was a subsidiary of the Austin Powder Company. It provided blasting compounds and drilling services for the coal-mining industry in that region, which explains some of this truck’s heavy-duty features. It retains the faded company logo on its doors, and the dash features a “12” that may be its vehicle fleet identification number. It is believed the company withdrew the vehicle from service in the early 1970s, leaving it in a lot with other abandoned industrial machinery. The next owner spent his latter years buying and collecting vehicles of this type, and he rescued the Ford. It remains in its “as retired” state. With the growing interest in industrial history and associated plant and equipment, preservation would seem the most appropriate option for the buyer to consider.

One piece of equipment this F350 retains is the mighty bed-mounted Tulsa Winch. It means serious business, as it is driven by the truck’s transmission. The operator controls its speed with a cable-operated dash-mounted throttle. It appears complete, and returning it to an operational state might be possible as part of this classic’s revival.

F350 buyers in 1958 could order their new truck with a Y-Block V8, but the Virginia Drilling Company selected the 232ci six, hooked to a four-speed manual transmission. The six produced 126hp and 207 ft/lbs of torque. That second figure is critical because it peaked low in the engine’s rev range. That made the six ideal for crawling through rugged territory and perfect for powering the Tulsa Winch. The engine doesn’t currently run and probably hasn’t done for many years. However, it turns freely, and the transmission slips effortlessly through the gears. These old Ford engines are robust, and coaxing it back to life may involve little more than essential maintenance and rebuilding its Holley carburetor. The new owner must move this beast on a flatbed, and it appears some of the lugnuts might be seized. Interestingly, the odometer shows 14,393 miles, and the reading may be genuine. Since it seems the truck’s primary role was as a mobile drill, it would have spent more time idling and operating its equipment than traveling between work sites.

The surprise packet with this Ford is its interior. It is complete, with the floor mat the only missing item. The seat cover isn’t perfect, but there are no large rips or other significant problems. The wheel has cracked, and the floor exhibits surface corrosion. However, treating everything to a deep clean seems worthwhile. The painted surfaces look pretty good below a layer of dust, and I suspect a few hours of work with the appropriate cleaners and polish would yield positive results. Its work history means that the buyer won’t be inundated with optional extras, but they will undoubtedly welcome the factory heater on cold days.

While many people focus on smaller vehicles when selecting a project candidate, a dedicated group of enthusiasts prefers larger classics like this 1958 Ford F350. The beauty of these trucks is that they aren’t sophisticated, allowing owners to adopt a hands-on approach with many of the revival or restoration tasks. Values are climbing steadily and have done so for at least the past five years. There is no evidence of slowing trends, suggesting that this F350 could be an excellent long-term investment. The winning bidder’s most significant decision will be whether to preserve or restore. Returning it to its former glory would be tempting, although it might command greater respect as a proud survivor. You will undoubtedly have an opinion, and submitting a bid could make your vision a reality.

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