I've been toying with the idea of a 50's pick up for a while. I really was looking at a 55-59 GMC, but it's not like Australia is swimming with these trucks.
So here's my new (using that term loosely) pick up, an Australian Built 1949 Ford Freighter. I assume built CKD from the US Ford F1. The main difference is the taller and wider bed, and of course, it's right hand drive, I was pretty keen on staying away from left hand drives as I am hoping this will be a semi daily driver.
The truck still has the original Flat head V8 and four speed crash box. Drives reasonably well for what it is, but would be very scary to drive daily in traffic. The gearing is super low, the engine is screaming in top at 40mph, even though the PO fitted some oversize rear tyres. Will definitely have to swap out the rear end ratio...
It already came Ecomodded from the factory. Obviously no A/C or power windows, but also no seat belts, no sound proofing, no PS, no power brakes, only a single windscreen wiper (the other was optional!) etc. This truck has no external mirrors, not sure if that's because they're missing or if they weren't required on commercials back then.
A quick internet search shows I should expect 10mpg stock, so there should be some room for improvement
As it stands, this thing is nearly undrivable on modern roads. At 6' tall I can barely operate the pedals, and certainly not safely. The lack of PS means very slow cornering, limited by how fast I can turn the wheel while bracing myself so as not to slide across on to the passenger seat.
Since the current electrics are 6v, I figure, why not switch to 24v instead of 12, that would be a bit of an efficiency gain.
I have no idea what direction this will take, considering how light it is (3300lbs with a cast iron V8), it could be repowered with something as light and simple as a Ford 3cyl Ecoboost and six speed it would be fast enough (more power and torque with less weight than stock) and economical for a daily but I'd never be able to tell anyone what's under the hood. The Flattie could be souped up and converted to run on LPG (this would also fix the fuel tank in the cabin issue), or just the usual LSx swap. Also thinking of using an alloy Buick/ Rover 3.5 V8, they're commonly converted to LPG and weigh ~200lbs less than the Flattie.
I used to have a Ford I6 on LPG and the best thing about it was the immediate engine starts, some times I'd just accidentally bump the starter and she'd already be up and running. Faster than my factory fitted stop/ start system for sure, would be great for city use.
Oh, and it's going to replace my Prius, Kangoo and Skyline - big shoes to fill. It needs to be as economical, useful and fast as those three (in that order Lol).