Slick 60's

are they classics?collectors? burdens?? worthy? valuble, what would a outsider consider a classic? define our trucks, I'm sure they have been one or more of the above at some time,, but what truly defines a classic?
some body asked me what a classic is and I really did'nt know what to say,, but old,, not sayin that you older folks are classics, ( some may be!!)
but it was the first thought to pop in my head,, would they be considered rare? or collectors?? unis may be,, I really don'nt know,, escuse my brain fart,,,,,somtimes they stink,,

A classic to me is something with "class". It doesn't have to be practical. It has to give you a sense of pride. It is something that you respect for a given reason, but that reason is in the eye of the beholder.

I think our trucks are Classics because most people enjoy seeing them when we're out playing. My 66 F100 is rusted out so badly that the 2x8 I put under the cab mount has come through the floor, and is no longer helpful. Even in this condition, people respect what the old beast represents; A time when craftsmanship and pride in your work ruled the automakers and every other buisiness, corporation, farm or shoe-shine guy. Our trucks represent what America was and could very well be again. Our trucks are HEROS of a sort. (Ok, I'll stop and wait for the slow clap to start like when the football coach gives his pep talk!)

In summary, our old toys are just cool.

to me a ''classic'' is something that 95% of the people like, or
wouldnt mind owning....

model T , mustang , t bird , corvette , vw bug

these are some examples i can think of, some will agree ,others will not.
hopefully , the slicks will be right in there, ....maybe they already are.

Mellvis wrote: It is something that you respect for a given reason, but that reason is in the eye of the beholder.

That is all that needs to be said!

dwcford wrote:

Mellvis wrote: It is something that you respect for a given reason, but that reason is in the eye of the beholder.

That is all that needs to be said!

I think I'm a classic.....................

Amazingly enough, in the USA there are legal definitions regarding certain terms in relation to vehicles, Classic, antique and Survivor are terms that are actually either protected or prescribed by law! You know lawyers had to be involved! LOL

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classic_Ca ... of_America

http://www.aaca.org/

http://www.survivorcarshow.com/?link=trademark

Like it or not, we live in a litigous society and there are plenty of vermin, um, er, I mean lawyers ready to prove it! Hawkrod

The Slicks to me and I think to a lot of people represent an end of an era. The truth is the years they were produced were the end of an era. That era being the 50s or as Time life calls it, The Rock and Roll Era 1954-1964.
Just as they were the end of an era the Slick Series were also inovative halfway through their run. In the series debuted new engines and technology that would last unchanged in Ford Trucks for nearly the rest of the century.
It is a rare occurrence when something is inovative and obsolete at the same time. Its unique that the Slicks obsolecence, even while in production were matters of looks, which were dated by 64 but were no less elegant. The inovations of 65 were truely ground breaking. So you have in a vehicle the best of the old and the best of the new at the same time. The Slick Series was not sad like the Hudson Hornet. The Hornet was the best of the flatheads, inovative in many ways but sadly, the days of the flathead were over. Nor was it like the Edsel, too much ahead of it's time.
A Slick truck was and is all things to all people. The Slick body series are near perfect mates to the 61-62 Fairlanes and Galaxies so early sixties Ford fans love em.
The flaresides were produced in large numbers. For generations this was the traditional "truck". After the Slick series, flareside production slowed to a crawl, only to be revived again in the early 90s with trucks like the Splash.
For the greasy headed Milner types, like myself, we have the XLF-100. This is another concept we see again in the likes of the Ford Lightning.
For those who appreciate art, the Uni is an example of automotive high art. It was a concept that actually made it into production. Even though it failed, no truck has ever had more style and off the lot good lines like the uni.
If you like "old" trucks pre 65 Slicks are for you. They even smell like old trucks. Wrong beds, unis, flaresides and the stylish 64 are still old trucks with straight axles, and vintage Y and I Block power. Two tone 64-66 chromed out Custom Cabs looks as good as any Mid-50s Fairlane and they can haul a load of wood too.
Campers specials are a Slick for the outdoorsman who loves old trucks.
4x4s, M-4 Sherman Tank meets Slick need I say more.
The 65-66 probably the greatest postwar truck which means the greatest truck period.
For the rodder Slicks are the perfect platform.
For the red wrenchers Slicks relatively are cheap so you can go ahead and install the Yugo front clip and model airplane engine, add 49 inch wheels and slam it.
Take a look at the Gallery or Slickstock. It says a lot about the Series when you find primered Slicks with whitewalls next to the most modern rod job you can imagine, both will look great and both will be the same year.

Well said.

Take a look at the Gallery or Slickstock. It says a lot about the Series when you find primered Slicks with whitewalls next to the most modern rod job you can imagine, both will look great and both will be the same year.

I couldn't agree more. Timeless Good Looks and Style

In Canadian law, an antique car is defined as one over 20 years old, which is when they are considered to be antique as far as bringing them thru Customs at the border is concerned.

I view the Slick as classy, but not classic. Some members of the slick family have striking good looks, I would say for me the BBW short uni is among the top 5 best-looking trucks ever built. There were also some dogs, the wrong box 2WD and flaresides just don't do much for me, esp. the wrongboxes. Yet the 4x4's somehow seem OK with the unmatched bed. Go figure.

I have ALWAYS had a hard time, personally, with rodding any Ford Car or truck built during the time Henry Ford was alive. I appreciate some of the work others have done, (never the ones with brand X engines) but can NOT bring myself to hack up one of Henry's classics.

So, as far as trucks go, that leaves the "bonus builts", Henry II's first effort, to present. I personally wasn't looking for a Slick when I came across mine, I was looking for a shortbox Mercury 67-68. I still have only EVER seen one of those, and it ain't for sale, so I had to widen my search. I came across mine, without an engine. It had previously had a 428 swap. So I didn't feel bad about putting in my engine of choice, a 302. I look at the 302 and the flathead as obviously the best V8 engines Ford ever thought they had, due to their longevity in the Ford plant.

Plus I didn't feel bad about changing out the hated straight axle either. I learned to drive on a straight axle 2wd truck and have never appreciated them much. Twin I trucks drive lik a dream by comparison.


In conclusion, I would say that Slicks are the best from the Early 60's. I still like Bumpsides just as much. and like Dents, too.

In 61-79, Ford ruled trucks.

63 Big un hit the nail on the head! Well said!

oldtrucks wrote:

Take a look at the Gallery or Slickstock. It says a lot about the Series when you find primered Slicks with whitewalls next to the most modern rod job you can imagine, both will look great and both will be the same year.

I couldn't agree more. Timeless Good Looks and Style

Too.

well that was very informative, totally agree with all the replys,, thanks,,
I'll print out and show the dumb bumb who dare ask if my truck was a classic,, by the way he drives a chevy,,,

Like Hawkrod said above, there is a defined list of real Classic Cars and it includes Dual Cowl Deusenburgs, V-16 Cadillacs and cars (or should I say "autos"? ) like that.

I think of our slicks as very practical hobby vehicles. They can be found for cheap. They look cool. Most people relate to them. Can't hurt the value of them even if you modify the $#!+ out of them! Not to mention the parts supply out there is very good.

They are definitely antiques. My Indiana registration proves that!

Gary Seymour wrote: Can't hurt the value of them even if you modify the $#!+ out of them!

Not quite Gary. If you throw a chebby running gear in them they are worth nothing, to nobody. That's been proven over and over, in instances like this one. No bids. http://fordtruk.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=7604

True. I would not consider using any other power train other than Ford in a Ford, and wouldn't recommend that anyone do that. No doubt a Ford truck with an off-brand powertrain creates an identity crisis for the Ford fan and the off-brand fan, leaving the value to suffer.

I don't think I'm Classic, just Antique.

Fred

This is a discussion I started pertaining to 79-86 & 82-93 Mustangs but some of the generalities will pertain to our trucks. With all of the different sectors of vehicle collecting out there why sould the value/collectibility of ours be determined by people who essentially know nothing about them. One of the reasons I posted the discussion. I also posted it in my other Fox forum, the responses make it interesting. Here are both links...........

http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthread.php?t=64974

http://www.mustanggt.org/forums/showthread.php?t=49768