Lot Ended
Description
Meet
‘Old Liz’; rare Ford 1½-Ton Drop-Side Truck; two owners from new; restored
to a wonderful standard over the last 55 years; road legal and ready to
enjoy
PLEASE NOTE - Since photography, there has been some minor damage
done to the rear of the vehicle. Mild scuffing to the paint. Please see last
photo for detail.
Up for auction is ‘Old Liz’, a rare and
beautifully restored 1935 Ford 1½-ton drop-side truck, originally manufactured
in England. Delivered new by the Universal Car Company of Derby to Blood &
Sons of Tutbury (near Tamworth), she was acquired to replace the firm's 1919
Ford Model T. ‘Old Liz’ served reliably in daily use — including throughout
World War II — until her retirement in 1961.
Initially destined for
scrap, she was rediscovered in 1970, abandoned in a hedge at a scrapyard near
Mile End, Staffordshire. After a brief period of use on-site, she had been left
exposed to the elements before being rescued.
Now fully and faithfully
restored, ‘Old Liz’ retains her original 3.3-litre engine, meticulously rebuilt
by Ford specialists Belcher Engineering. The engine is yet to be fully run-in.
She is equipped with a 3-speed crash gearbox, 6-volt electrics, and a reliable
electric starter when used correctly.
Measuring 16 feet 6 inches in
length and 6 feet in width, this striking vintage commercial vehicle impresses
not just mechanically, but historically. The wooden cab — a rare survivor — has
been expertly reconstructed to the original design, as has the body, both of
which were beyond repair when the vehicle was found.
Finished in her
original factory colour and adorned with period-correct signwriting as she would
have looked during her working life with Blood & Sons, this restoration pays
homage to her heritage with incredible attention to detail.
With only two
registered owners in the past 90 years and a fully documented, captivating
history, ‘Old Liz’ is a truly unique survivor from the early days of British
commercial motoring. It’s easy to imagine Arnold Blood himself would be proud to
see her in such pristine condition, nearly a century after she first hit the
road.
Included in the sale is a comprehensive history file, featuring
photographs from her discovery over 55 years ago, images of her journey back to
the current owner’s home, plus extensive notes, measurements, and documentation
made prior to disassembly. A wealth of receipts and invoices spanning the
restoration process highlights the time, care, and passion invested in
bringing ‘Old Liz’ back to life.
A credit to her restorers, ‘Old Liz’ has
been starting promptly and running well on site. Road legal and ready to enjoy,
she no doubt has another 90+ years of useful life ahead of her, while her
condition has the potential to scoop some silverware on the show circuit, should
the lucky new owner feel so inclined.
Contact: [email protected]