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HomePick of the DayTanker-truck 1931 Ford Model A

Tanker-truck 1931 Ford Model A

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If only. If only we had known what common items of everyday life would become valuable collector’s items in the future, we would have hung onto those old gas-pump globes, spark-plug displays, wheel-alignment tools, advertising signs and other service-station items that we so took for granted and blithely tossed in the trash when they outlived their usefulness. Oil cans, who knew?

Now, those things are called petroliana, and they have become an entire, very active segment of the classic car experience, from hot investment pieces to man-cave décor.

The little tanker is said to have been authentically done

The Pick of the Day feeds into that popular nostalgia, a 1931 Ford Model A roadster pickup that has been transformed into a Mobilgas tank truck, the kind of service vehicle you would have seen running around delivering fuel to small service stations and one-pump general stores back in the day.

The Volo, Illinois, dealer advertising this picturesque vehicle on ClassicCars.com describes it as a “tribute Mobil tank truck” that has been authentically outfitted with the tank body and colorful regalia that would have been common at the time.

The truck is in outfitted with period-correct fuel-handling gear

“Early petroleum companies were proud of their name and brand, and would advertise on their fleet of vehicles,” the dealer says in the ad. “Unfortunately, the collectability of these trucks (was) seldom projected to the future, thus many ended up in scrap yards after their years of faithful (service).”

The pickup has been professionally restored mechanically as well as cosmetically, the ad says, with period-correct fuel-dispensing equipment and trim, including an “original Pegasus license plate holder” mounted on the grille.

The Model A flathead-4 has been professionally rebuilt

“All-steel truck fitted with a tribute-correct Mobil tank body and all the brand signage that would be appropriate at the time,” the dealer says. “Completely restored by Billy’s Big Boys Garage with loving care and period-correct detail. This truck was mechanically rebuilt as needed, runs and drives very well. Ideal for parades, museums, private petroliana collections, movie sets, etc. “

This enjoyable piece of old-days charm is priced at $59,998, which should buy you plenty of attention, or as noted by the seller, possibly renting it out for a 1930s movie set.

To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.

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Bob Golfen
Bob Golfen
Bob Golfen is a longtime automotive writer and editor, focusing on new vehicles, collector cars, car culture and the automotive lifestyle. He is the former automotive writer and editor for The Arizona Republic and SPEED.com, the website for the SPEED motorsports channel. He has written free-lance articles for a number of publications, including Autoweek, The New York Times and Barrett-Jackson auction catalogs. A collector car enthusiast with a wide range of knowledge about the old cars that we all love and desire, Bob enjoys tinkering with archaic machinery. His current obsession is a 1962 Porsche 356 Super coupe.

2 COMMENTS

  1. Nice story the PICKERS would love to buy this classical piece f automotive history. Thanks Bob keep us the good works. MY 1962 PONTIAC CATLALINA HAS BEEN IN SEVERAL MOIVES INCLUDING MINDHUNTER.

    THE EMPEROR OF CAR CRUISES

    HUGH "BABE" O’DONNELL

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