Why do some people collect dozens of cars or trucks of a certain brand and vintage? Maybe the answer is obvious, but it’s nice to have it confirmed: the owner had one and really liked it, so before long there was another. And another. And another… These habits have a way of getting a bit out of hand.
In the case of these 1957-1960 Ford trucks, I met Pat, a neighbor down the road from my brother, whose property I’ve noticed for years is filled with pickups. During our conversation, he revealed that he keeps dozens more 1957-1960 Ford trucks at his former business location. He began his landscaping company with a mix of GM, Dodge, and Ford pickups. Discovering the ’59 Ford was the least problematic, he started collecting them. Soon, he had several ’57s to ’60s; instead of repairing them conventionally, he’d use parts from one to fix another. Over time, his unique collection led people to seek him out specifically to sell or donate their own Ford trucks of the era.
Now most of the trucks sit idle and in disrepair on the back of the landscaping property, although a few are still in service. There are a few newer trucks in the yard too.
This work truck is still in service for the landscaping business.
A 1955 Ford Ranch Wagon snuck in between these trucks.
Blue and white F-Series on prominent display.
A black 1958.
Yellow 1958.
The first trucks you see at Pat’s House. That’s a C-Series cab-over, which looks right at home with the others, as its styling is from the same era.
These two bigger trucks are still in use for the landscaping business.
A former Coca Cola truck.
Parts abound if you need them.
Pat and his 1948 Lincoln Continental with a flathead V12.
Hoarding is hoarding as it comes in many shapes and sizes. Most time indoors, which I have seen once by a man with newspapers, yet can be outdoors like this. What is interesting is that we consider the guy with all the newspapers somewhat daft but the fellow. with all the cars, to be a cool old guy. I have driven past two large property plots, in the northern end of the San Joaquin Valley and seen the backyards packed with dozens upon dozens of old vehicles like this, door to door.
I knew a Chief Engineer, who was a retired Navy Commander, and was a Chief Engineer on a carrier. He knew his stuff about carriers without a doubt. Yet he had a quirk and that was the 1957 Olds. Not the 56 or the 58 but the 57 and had stashed 50+ at his house in Lemon Grove a suburb of San Diego. Kitchen full of car parts. Then the city found out despite his 7 foot fence and gave him a deadline. He moved them all, I don’t know how, up to a home he bought in the Central Valley. Interestingly, fans of Oldsmobile’s considered him one of the gurus of these cars while others considered him a little different. Oh, it also extended to Navy jets for a museum. All he needed was a squadron of F-8 Crusaders. No Phantoms, Tomcats, Skyhawks, Corsairs, or Intruders.
I always find these types of collections a bit strange. Not because of the number of vehicles, but because they are left unprotected, out in the elements. Oftentimes with broken windows, doors, hoods and trunks open. I don’t see the point, as the vehicles are left to deteriorate. A smaller number of running trucks in reasonable condition (they don’t have to be completely restored) makes more sense to me. These Fords are neat looking trucks, so I can see the appeal. At least he keeps his Lincoln under a roof.
I don’t see a single headlight ’57 anywhere, although the turquoise one with the utility bed might be one.
I see people like this on American Pickers and it is odd they won’t sell but let them rust.
Interesting to note then the 1957 Brazilian Ford F-100 truck was based on the previous generation (1953-56). The 1957 F-100 body sold here was sold in Brazil from 1962 to 1971 along with other Brazilian oddities. https://www.evshift.com/307456/the-long-history-of-the-ford-f-100-and-ford-f-1000-two-trucks-that-made-history-in-brazil-as-well-as-some-of-the-absolutely-insane-modifications-made-with-them-long-post/
https://www.ford-trucks.com/articles/bizarre-brazilian-ford-trucks/
Interesting .
In 1968 I had a rusty 1960 F-100 step side pickup, it ran fine but the rest was _very_ rusty .
-Nate