1934 Ford Model B Pickup — Buick 401 Nailhead, 90s Build, Estate Collection

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Documents & Documented History

Supporting documentation and documented build history are available for review using the link below. These documents are provided as part of the vehicle listing.

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Overview

This is a documented 1934 Ford Model B pickup — VIN DR77799, New Mexico original title in hand, no lien — offered from a private estate following more than 50 years of single-family ownership. The original owner acquired the truck and carried out a frame-up street rod restoration in the 1990s, building it to a standard that a recent independent evaluation by restoration specialist Tony Hale described as exceptional. The build prioritized correct choices over convenient ones: original steel body throughout (no fiberglass), a Buick 401 cubic inch Nailhead V8 in place of a generic small-block swap, full independent suspension front and rear, a modern Painless Performance wiring harness, and a custom herringbone hardwood bed floor with a hydraulically actuated lift lid. The hood opens and closes electrically. The truck carries 1,717 miles on the completed restoration, runs, drives, and starts. A full build photo documentation album is available with this listing. Video of the cold start, driving, electric hood, and bed lift mechanism is forthcoming. This vehicle is sold as-is. All known issues are disclosed below. In-person inspection is strongly encouraged.

Vehicle Details

• Year: 1934
• Make: Ford
• Model: Model B Pickup
• Body Style: Half-Ton Pickup — Street Rod Build
• VIN: DR77799
• Title: New Mexico Original — Lien-Free
• Miles Since Build: 1,717 — TMU
• Exterior Color: Gloss Black
• Interior Color: Black
• Build Era: 1990s
• Provenance: Single Family, 50+ Years — Estate Offering

Engine & Drivetrain

The engine is a 1963–1966 Buick 401 cubic inch Nailhead V8 — one of the genuinely iconic American V8s, chosen here deliberately over more common swap candidates. The 401 Nailhead was the top displacement in Buick’s Nailhead family, producing over 445 lb-ft of torque in factory Wildcat trim and sharing its character with engines that powered the Buick Riviera, Electra, and Skylark Gran Sport. The intake manifold is confirmed Buick casting number 1863782. Ceramic-coated headers feed the exhaust. Ignition is handled by an AGI performance ignition system. The finned aluminum valve covers and period-correct chrome dress components are consistent with a high-quality 1990s street rod build. The drivetrain is a GM TH400 heavy-duty 3-speed automatic transmission with a floor-mounted shifter. Power steering is fitted.

• Engine: 1963–66 Buick 401 ci Nailhead V8
• Intake Manifold: Buick Casting #1863782
• Carburetor: Single 4-Barrel — Make/Model to Be Confirmed
• Valve Covers: Finned Aluminum — Aftermarket
• Headers: Ceramic Coated
• Ignition: AGI Performance System
• Air Cleaner: Chrome Open-Element with Period Buick-Style Lid
• Transmission: GM TH400 3-Speed Automatic, Floor Shift
• Steering: Power — GMC Style Tilt Column
• Hood: Electrically Actuated Open / Close

Chassis & Undercarriage

The chassis is the original 1934 Ford frame, modified to accept the modern drivetrain and suspension components. The undercarriage presents cleanly with no visible structural rust. Surface oxidation is present on the rear undercarriage area consistent with age and normal use, and is not structural. All wiring was replaced with a Painless Performance modern harness, providing color-coded, complete electrical throughout the vehicle. The fuel system includes what appears to be a custom aluminum fuel cell housed in the underbed storage compartment accessible via the hydraulic lift bed lid.

• Chassis: Original 1934 Ford Frame — Modified
• Wiring: Painless Performance Modern Harness
• Fuel System: Custom Aluminum Fuel Cell — Underbed Compartment
• Undercarriage Condition: Clean — Surface Oxidation at Rear, Non-Structural

Suspension & Brakes

This truck runs full independent suspension front and rear — an uncommon and sophisticated configuration for a pre-war street rod. The front uses a Mustang II independent front suspension with coil springs and a coilover shock, providing modern steering geometry and ride quality. The rear uses a Corvette independent rear end, replacing the original live axle with a fully independent setup. Brakes are manual with front disc. Rear brake configuration to be confirmed. The truck rides on Torq-Thrust style five-spoke alloy wheels fitted with Definity HP300 radial tires.

• Front Suspension: Mustang II Independent — Coil Spring / Coilover
• Rear Suspension: Corvette Independent Rear End (IRS)
• Brakes: Manual — Front Disc
• Rear Brakes: Configuration to Be Confirmed
• Wheels: Torq-Thrust Style Five-Spoke Alloys
• Tires: Definity HP300 Radials

Exterior

The body is entirely original steel — no fiberglass panels. The paint is gloss black base coat/clear coat and presents strongly across all surfaces. The hood flanks carry chrome louvers sourced from a 1932 Chevrolet Confederate, fitted to the 1934 Ford hood sides — a period-correct detail consistent with high-quality 1990s street rod building practice. Chrome bumpers front and rear, chrome headlight buckets with external headlight bar, and a polished side mirror are present. Diamond-plate running board inserts. The bed features a custom herringbone hardwood parquet floor with polished aluminum divider strips. The entire bed floor is hinged and mounted on gas-charged lift struts, providing full mechanical access to the underbed compartment. The tailgate is finished in gloss black with polished hardware and chrome hinge straps. A rear window is fitted in the cab back panel.

• Body: Original Steel Throughout — No Fiberglass
• Paint: Gloss Black — Base Coat / Clear Coat
• Hood Louvers: Chrome — Sourced from 1932 Chevrolet Confederate
• Bumpers: Chrome Front and Rear
• Headlights: Chrome Buckets with External Bar
• Running Boards: Diamond-Plate Insert
• Bed Floor: Custom Herringbone Hardwood Parquet — Chrome Rails
• Bed Lid: Hydraulic Lift — Full Underbed Access
• Tailgate: Two-Panel Gloss Black — Polished Hardware

Interior

The interior is clean and functional. The black vinyl bench seat shows light creasing consistent with use. The dashboard carries a full Classic Instruments gauge cluster — oil pressure, speedometer, water temperature, fuel level, and voltage — all mounted in the factory dash panel. The speedometer reads 1,717 miles. A billet art deco-style steering wheel with layered chrome hub is fitted to the GMC tilt column. The floor shifter operates the TH400 automatic. Pioneer speakers are mounted in the upper cab corners. No head unit is currently connected. There is no air conditioning.

• Seat: Black Vinyl Bench
• Steering Wheel: Billet Art Deco Style — Chrome Hub
• Steering Column: GMC Style Tilt
• Gauges: Classic Instruments Full Cluster — Oil, Speed, Temp, Fuel, Voltage
• Shifter: Floor Mounted — TH400 Automatic
• Wiring: Painless Performance Modern Harness
• Audio: Pioneer Speakers Installed — No Head Unit Connected
• Air Conditioning: Not Installed

Documentation & History

Single-family ownership spanning more than 50 years. The original owner — who drove this truck on his first date with his future wife and maintained it for the remainder of his life — carried out the restoration in the 1990s. The truck is offered from the estate following the passing of both owners. A complete build photo documentation album covering the restoration process is available with this listing and will be published in full. All documentation transfers to the buyer. The truck has been independently evaluated by restoration specialist Tony Hale, who assessed the quality of the build as exceptional.

• Title: New Mexico Original — Lien-Free
• Ownership: Single Family — 50+ Years
• Provenance: Estate Offering
• Build Documentation: Full Photo Album Available — To Be Published
• Independent Evaluation: Tony Hale, Restoration Specialist — Quality Assessed as Exceptional
• Media Forthcoming: Cold Start, Driving Footage, Electric Hood and Bed Lift Demonstration

Mechanical Condition

The truck runs, drives, starts, and idles. 1,717 miles on the completed restoration. Engine, drivetrain, and suspension are all build-era components in correct operating condition. The undercarriage is free of structural rust and shows no leaks. Surface oxidation is present on the rear undercarriage, consistent with age and normal use. Exposed wiring is visible near the rear bumper and should be reviewed by the buyer. The truck has not received a final performance tune since build completion.

Exterior and Interior Condition

Paint presents with deep gloss and strong color consistency across all panels. Two specific conditions are disclosed: a stress crack and paint crazing is visible at the lower driver’s side cab corner where the rocker meets the cab skin, consistent with filler movement or minor impact — shown in photos. The windshield glass has a crack at the lower left corner and will require replacement. The interior vinyl bench seat shows light crease wear. The bed woodwork, chrome, and gauge cluster all present in excellent condition. Buyers are encouraged to conduct their own inspection prior to bidding.

Service and History

Frame-up street rod restoration completed in the 1990s by a single private owner. Original steel body retained throughout. All major systems replaced during the build with quality named components. 1,717 miles driven since build completion. The truck is mechanically operational. Outstanding items for the next owner include: carburetor identification and potential rejet, windshield replacement, rear wiring cleanup at bumper, and performance tune if desired. All available documentation and the build photo album transfer with the vehicle.

Inspection & Test Drive

This vehicle is sold as-is. We strongly encourage all bidders to inspect the truck prior to bidding. In-person inspections are available by appointment in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Live video walkthroughs are available upon request for remote bidders. Bid with confidence — all known conditions are disclosed above and shown in photos.

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Location

Las Cruces, New Mexico. Local pickup available. Enclosed and open transport coordination available for remote buyers, or buyers may arrange their own shipping.

Payment Terms

Payment accepted via certified cashier’s check, wire transfer, or cash in person. No personal checks or credit cards accepted. Clean New Mexico title transfers to the winning buyer upon receipt of cleared payment.

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