Our project car page follows the progress of a 1951 FORD F-1 custom built by Lorin Severson, a retired architectural sheet metal worker. We thank Lorin for allowing us to showcase his project.

The "Before" Pictures:

When I was an architectural sheet metal worker the last few years before my retirement I wanted to build a classic car on a new chassis. I envisioned a 1949 or 1950 Willies Jeep Station Wagon on probably a Blazer chassis.

I moved to Mooresville, NC and my neighbor had an old 1951 Ford F-1 pickup in his back yard which was adjoining my back yard. I saw it periodically and caught the vision for building a 1951 Ford F-1 truck. I bought the truck from him that was in pieces.

I joined the Insurance Auto Auction in Rimer and bought a 2003 Dodge quad cab thinking I could use the chassis for building the 1951 Ford F-1. The 2003 Dodge was not a good fit so I rebuilt and sold it.

However, while at Rimer I saw they had 3 old 1951 Ford F-1 trucks so I bought them in November, 2005.

Only problem was I was afraid they might want to go out “tractor tippin’” with their cousin Mater, so I began work ASAP.

Starting Work:

In January of 2006 I went to Rimer and after doing rough field measurements bought a 2000 Ford Explorer. I stripped the body off the 2000 and began work on one of the old 1951 cabs.

I fit and welded the 2000 floor pan to the 1951 cab. But after many weeks work seeing the rear frame was too high plus problems with the placement of the heater, etc. I abandoned that project.

Now it is suspended from my shop rafters waiting for my next inspiration. ---------- The key to a project like this is knowing what you are doing. Obviously I didn’t.

The Work in Progress:

The key to a project like this is knowing what you are doing. Obviously I didn’t. In May of 2007 I once again returned to Rimer and bought this low mileage 2003 Ford Explorer.

With no frame or motor damage I was sure this car would do the job and it turned out to be a perfect fit. I’m stripping the body off down to the floor pan and rolling chassis.

March 8, 2008 -- At this point I was really excited because I realized how well this 2003 would fit into my plan. After working on the 2000 the measurements of the 2003 were a natural for the 1951. For someone wanting to do this type of project a 2002 - 2010 is the same chassis. These can be bought at Insurance auctions at a reasonable price and you wind up with a great rolling chassis and motor including box-tube frame, independent front and rear suspension, 4 wheel disc brakes and rack and pinion steering. This chassis is complete and ready to run.

March 12, 2008 -- The chassis is now ready for fitting the cab of the 1951 Ford F-1 pickup.

This was taken from the 1951-52 Ford Truck Specifications, Features Manual.

I purchased this manual from Dennis Carpenter Ind. of Concord, NC.
The main measurement that I used was from the center of the front axle to the back of
the cab which you can see at the top of the drawing was 73.94 inches.

The Completed Project Vehicle:

1951 FORD F-1
completed July 1, 2010
custom built by Lorin Severson
retired architectural sheet metal worker

Thanks again, Lorin, for sharing your project with the Downtown Mooresville Cruise-In!