1966 Ford F250 Plow Truck

[Chuck Most]

"It was just too weird to die." That's what Justin Martin says about his unusual 1966 Ford 3/4 ton. 

While scouting for parts for his 1966 Thunderbird project at Don's Auto Salvage, Justin stumbled across the F250, at first passing it by, but moving in for a closer look once he saw it was a short wheelbase 3/4 ton. 

Don had gotten the truck as part of an auction. All he knew was that it was owned by a service station and used car lot, and had been cut down for a 6.5 foot bed some time in the early 70s. The plow and one piece wheels were added about the same time. Don had scrapped the other vehicles from the auction in the years since, but he hung on to the F250, because it was such an oddball. Don's best guess was that it was converted to a short wheelbase because the owner wanted something a bit more maneuverable, but still wanted the 3/4 ton axles, suspension, and brakes to deal with the rigors of pushing snow. Don had even considered getting it running and using it to plow his own property, but then his grandson started doing that for him and the truck continued to languish.

Justin made an offer, Don accepted, and Justin found himself with yet another 1966 Ford to restore.

The truck originally appeared to have been white, with original black paint on the bed. At some point the truck was painted dark green on the cab and hood, but with black fenders, so Justin went with that. Somewhere back in time the engine had been treated to chrome valve covers and an open element air cleaner. Justin left them in place. He also upgraded to a dual chamber master cylinder with a booster and front disc brakes. He bought a set of reproduction hubcaps, two of which had hub cutouts. "Contrary to popular belief, Ford never made those hubcaps with open holes in the center for the hubs, but you can cut your own or buy repops with open centers", says Justin. Justin says he knows they are too new for the truck, but considering that the truck as it exists today appears to be a 1970s conversion, he felt they fit. "And they're the coolest looking Ford truck hubcaps, in my opinion." Justin says with a smile and a shrug.

A year and a half after being dragged from it's long term parking spot at Don's, Justin had the finished truck out and about. He's currently doing some research about the truck's past. Apparently it was bought new by a service station in the Michigan thumb area, at some point it was registered to a guy named Ralph Gaylord who may or may not have owned the station, but otherwise, Justin hasn't been able to piece together the truck's past before it ended up at Don's Auto Salvage. The truck had door lettering at one time and Justin would like to find out what that was so he can duplicate it. But in the meantime, Justin is enjoying the truck. And the Thunderbird? Justin laughs. "Still trying to find the stuff I was looking for at Don's the day I stumbled upon this."

The model is a Moebius 1966 F100 Flareside set up on the shortened chassis from the 1972 F250. Paint is Tamiya Racing Green and gloss black, with Chrome Yellow used on the snow blade. The paint scheme is similar to a municipal option Ford trucks had at the time, though not on the Custom Cab trim level. The truck itself is a restored version of the kinds of trucks I used to see parked behind sheds and in weed choked lots seemingly everywhere as a kid.

 

[mikemodeler]

That looks awesome Chuck, nicely detailed and love the two tone paint job!

[ChrisR]

Looks great!

[espo]

Beautiful looking paint finish and plow. Great engine and trim detailing. Looks almost to pretty to be a real work truck. 

[Jim B]

Now that's a plow truck!  Very well done, and I like the color scheme.  Sort of reminds me on the NYPD scheme from back in the 1960s.

[happy grumpy]

Great job on the Ford. I like the wheels and fat tires.

[ncbuckeye67]

That's absolutely beautiful! Although I found myself so engrossed in the story, that I almost forgot to look at the pictures, Lol.

[slusher]

Another great build!

[PappyD340]

Super nice!

[dino246gt]

Wow! It looks real! Great modeling!!

 

[Zippi]

Pretty good looking 66 Ford pickup plow truck.  I'd hate to get it out in the snow and get it dirty.  Nice job.

[Nosferatu]

Beautiful truck! I like the two tone paint!

Dave

[Bainford]

That's about the coolest plow truck ever. Love the SWB HD 4x4 combo. The tire/wheel combination looks perfect. Colours too.  Love it!

['70 Grande]

Really like this build! Where did you get the tires for this build; did they come in the Moebius kit?

[Lunajammer]

Yes, this is nostalgic. Hits all the right notes and you did a great job. The wheels really bring it to life.

[Chuck Most]

On 12/8/2023 at 11:07 PM, '70 Grande said:

Really like this build! Where did you get the tires for this build; did they come in the Moebius kit?

Yep. Those come with the F250 4x4 kit. 

[thatz4u]

your usual quality F-100 build, well done

[Chariots of Fire]

You did a great job on that truck!  Super all the way around!?

[mk11]

X2 !!

[hct728(Bob)]

Love the paint scheme, neatly done, too! The beefy tires look great on it, so right!

[doorsovdoon]

Stunning build. Very nicely detailed and love the colour combo.

[Vette_lover2004]

Late to the party, but thats pretty darn neat.