1950 Ford Truck

Car show draws auto enthusiasts to East Muskingum Park

MARIETTA - East Muskingum Park in Marietta was lined Sunday with nearly 100 rare or collectible vehicles for the 19th annual Bill Drayer Memorial Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show.

Always held on Father's Day, the event has become a popular stop each year for many fathers and sons, including Jim Tidd, 48, of Reno, and his son, Ethan, 21.

"We come here every year on Father's Day," Jim Tidd said. "We like anything with wheels that's old or fast."

Jim said he and his son enjoy turning wrenches together. They're currently working on fixing up an old Dodge pickup and a 1970 Dodge Dart. They said going to car shows not only gives them ideas, but hope that their projects will someday shine, too.

Cars in the show were not judged; instead the event was used as a fundraiser for the Marietta Noon Lions Club, with the money going to their sight-saving activities in the community. Each year the club raises around $20,000 to help the elderly and children of the area gain access to much-needed eyecare and glasses.

Rob Ersch, 43, of Marietta, and his son, Aaron, 14, were looking for a 1970 Dodge Dart.

"I think we're going to put one together and that'll be his first car," Rob Ersch said.

The dad noted the car will be a little better than his first car, a 1976 Ford Pinto that he doesn't miss.

"I drove that thing until the wheels fell off and then I think it went to the junk yard," he said.

Currently, the father and son are working on restoring a 1967 Ford Galaxy 500. That one is for Dad.

"I might let him drive it, someday," he said.

Any highway-operable car was allowed to enter the show. The types of vehicles on display ranged from a stylish 2008 Saturn Sky convertible to a basic, but sharp 1950 Ford pickup. The participants paid a $10 fee to enter their cars in the show, and each entrant was entered into a raffle for door prizes.

Clint Holley, Marietta Noon Lions Club vice-president, said attendance at the car show was down some from last year, where nearly 150 cars lined the park under near-perfect skies.

"I think the threat of weather hurt us some, especially with the folks who travel a ways to get here," he said. "Many of these guys don't like these cars to get wet at all."

Although cloudy, rains held off during the show, which began around 11 a.m. and ended at 4 p.m.

In addition to the car show, the Noon Lions Club sponsors several fundraising events in the area, including an invitational track meet at Don Drumm Field.

Classic 1950 Ford Trucks

The year was 1950. It had been only five years since the second World War came to a close, but one man’s company was going strong and turning out pickup trucks that were affordable to the American working man. At the midway point of the twentieth century, the 1950 Ford F1 was an invaluable asset for American farmers. The iconic look of 1950 Ford trucks is easily recognizable these days; but, unfortunately, many of these trucks have been left to rot and rust in what used to be sprawling farmland. However, if you know where to look, you can find some of these 1950 Ford trucks for sale.

This first 1950 Ford truck is out of San Antonio in the great state of Texas. This is about the norm for the condition you’ll find most of these old, American made workhorses in. The body appears to have fared decently well over the decades, showing only minimal signs of rust. There are some major issues, though. As you’ll find fairly often in these classic trucks, this one has been cannibalized. There is no engine. During the owner’s restoration efforts, a crack was found in the block of the 289ci V8 between two of the cylinders. As any mechanic will tell you, a cracked engine block is effectively useless.

The second 1950 Ford pickup also calls Texas it’s home, around the Forney area. This truck has obviously had some work done to it to give it a second round on the roads. This truck is very clean looking. The paint shade isn’t really eye-catching, but it definitely helps the the rims and stylized “Ford” logo on the tailgate stand out. In my opinion, the best part of this truck is under the hood. It’s packing a Chevy 350 Small Block engine coupled to a 350 Turbo transmission. A Ford 9 inch rear end is the final stop for the engine’s torque before it gets translated to rubber on the pavement.

The final truck I wanted to feature is an outstanding example of a successful restoration project. This truck has truly been given a new, and probably well deserved life. The owner put a lot of money into restoring this truck. It is now powered by a Ford 400M engine and C6 transmission coupled to a ’78 Chevy half ton rear end. The paint is actually a shade of purple, although it looks more blue to me, and the trim, bumper, and grill are all stainless steel. This old workhorse has been put out to pasture to be admired for the rest of it’s days.

Newsweek

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