Minneapolis Street Sighting: Ford pickup

Over my years of car spotting, I have only recently noticed a severe drop in classic trucks, much less rust-free example of classic trucs. To me, a "classic truck" is a pickup whose design has not only stood the test of time, but one whose design is almost instantly recognizable as belonging to certain brand. The '75-79 Ford pickups fit both criteria quite well.
From an early age, I grew fond of this bodystyle, and as I got older and grew more appreciative of certain vehicles, my love for this bodystyle grew even more. I like this trucks best in two-tone schemes, so I was sort of pleased when I noticed this truck--but this sighting wasn't as rosy as it initially appeared.
I have always liked the idea of a "sport truck"; however, this idea is likely best left to factories and well established tuners, not Joe Blow and his garage. As a moderate enthusiast of Ford trucks, I was a tad saddened by this. I never really like to this generation customized, and this one borders on the tacky side of things.

Up close, this truck saddened me; first off, the condition isn't as great as it initially appeared. The paint appeared originally, with a dash of redneck-repair. Flat in spots, glossy in others--and that's just the start. The mesh taillight accents, combined with the cheesy visor make for a terrible combination of add-ons. The fender flares only add to the ridiculousness. It really is a sad-looking truck in person. I'm less than impressed with the--dare I say it--riceyness of this example. On the uspide, Cragar SS wheels are always a good choice; the diameter and combination of tires is a great choice too. Unfortunately, the rest of the truck sucks.
I love these trucks, but unfortunately, I would not drive this one. The owner ruined what once was a very classy truck. Ditch the body mods, keep the rolling stock, and beef up the engine, and then we'll talk. Until then, keep on trukin', Cletus.

Lawrence Street Sighting: Ford F-100 Flareside

Since 1947, the Ford F Series has been one of the best selling vehicles of all time annually, so obviously there should be no shortage of decent ones to photography, right? Oddly enough, I've been finding the exact opposite to be true, even in Kansas. While the post-1992 models are still relatively common, searching for good, clean older trucks has proved vastly harder than initially expected, even in Kansas. As with most pickups, these Fords were, and still are, a popular choice for contractors, handymen, and other work duties so most get abused the second they leave the showroom floor. Certainly that's no bad thing, but it has made finding blogworthy examples rather tough.
Even in Kansas, clean older trucks are still relatively hard to come by, but if one looks hard enough, there are still some around lurking in odd places throughout this college town. I'm not exactly sure what year this is, but if my research holds true, this is a 1957 model. On the surface, the paint and trim seem to have held up pretty well, especially considering the truck's birth date of late 1956 or early 1957. While it certainly isn't perfect, the amount of wear and tear (or lack thereof) is astounding given the life it likely lead. Upfront, an awesome V8 badge adorns the grill, letting other drivers know this truck isn't exactly a slouch. Well, okay, maybe it is. Packing either a 273 or a 292 cube V8 with either 173 or 186 horses, it's a far cry from today's engines. Never mind that, though, because this truck isn't exactly about getting anywhere fast.
I have honestly grown to like the 1957s almost as much as the earlier F-100s. With the right color combination and wheel and tire package, I think the 1957s can look almost as good as the 1953-1956 trucks. Although, I'd like to see more 1957s kept alive and restored or modified as their old brothers are, this example represents the best of the breed that I've seen so far. I can only hope this example doesn't get left outside to rot, or get junked. They're fairly rare out my way, and I can't really think of any other 1957s I've seen. This must be saved by an enthusiast.