The term “eclectic” seems the most appropriate to use when describing the vehicles that grace our site at Barn Finds. We strive to feature classics that appeal to all tastes, from those preferring hardened muscle cars to practical daily drivers and promising project candidates. This 1946 Ford Pickup caught my eye the moment it hit my desk, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Mitchell G. for spotting it. Describing this restomod as eye-catching doesn’t seem to do it justice, with the seller attacking every aspect of this build to create a total package combining performance, safety, and comfort. The time has come for the Pickup to find a new home, with the seller listing this beauty here on Craigslist somewhere around Asbury, New Jersey. They are firm on their price of $29,900, but as you will see, the new owner will get a lot for their money.
This Pickup is a case where there are so many positive attributes that it is challenging to know where to start with its description. The builder has eliminated most of the exterior bright trim, only retaining the headlamp and turn signal surrounds. The remaining pieces have been painted black, while the door handles are color-matched to the exterior paint shade. The seller added integrated spoilers to give the front and rear pans a sharper look, and a hood scoop, which is about the only detail on this vehicle that doesn’t float my boat. The panels are extremely straight, with consistent gaps that suggest the builder had an eye for detail. The dazzling and fresh Rally Red urethane paint looks virtually flawless, reflecting its surroundings like a mirror. The bed is a highlight, featuring rich solid oak contrasted by Black joiner strips. The tinted glass is new, as are the seals and rubbers. The slammed ride height and American Racing Torq Thrust wheels add a sense of purpose that seems to promise something special under the skin.
Lifting the hood reveals that the builder has followed a tried-and-true path with their build, slotting in a 350ci V8, teamed with a three-speed automatic transmission. Further upgrades to cope with the significant performance gains this combination provides include power steering, an independent rear end, and four-wheel disc brakes. The small-block inhales through a custom air cleaner, a four-barrel carburetor, and a matching aluminum intake. Burnt gases exit through a custom-welded dual exhaust, which emerges on either side at the end of the steel running boards. This Pickup might have seventy-nine years under its belt, but the seller states that it runs and drives like a new vehicle. Considering the specifications, that claim is readily believable.
The seller had a field day creating this Pickup’s interior, leaving the buyer with nothing to do but appreciate their work. It features most of the components you would expect inside a well-executed restomod, including bucket seats, a tilt wheel, a modern stereo, and a Lokar shifter for the auto. One highlight is the digital gauge cluster, which is easy to read and will provide every ounce of information that the driver needs. The bucket seats are trimmed in Black vinyl, the door trims are finished in matching material, and the floors wear Black carpet showing no evidence of wear. The vinyl and painted surfaces are excellent, with the timber wheel adding a classy touch. Electrical gremlins shouldn’t be an issue because the seller added a new wiring harness during their build.
Modified classics write their own rules when it comes to potential value because vehicles like this 1946 Ford Pickup will only ever be worth what someone is willing to pay. That begs the question of whether the seller’s price is realistic, and my instinct suggests that it is. When you look at the scope of the performed work and the components utilized during the build, recreating this Pickup for $29,900 would potentially be possible if someone was willing and able to be hands-on with the entire process. Farming out any of the tasks would place a serious question mark over the budget, which is why I believe that this old classic will find a new home relatively quickly. Are you tempted to make it yours?
Contact to buy; https://barnfinds.com/350-powered-1946-ford-pickup-restomod/
