I see a lot of interesting ads while I’m skimming through old newspapers looking for a little quirky history to share with you. For some reason, this one from the Idaho Republican in Blackfoot from June 13, 1921 caught my eye.
I think I was drawn to it because of the naked looking truck chassis on sale for $621. It seemed pretty bare bones compared with the less expensive runabout for less money. The truck was for work, the runabout more for recreation. Note that the chassis, which did not include such frills as a place to sit, also sold without a starter. You were expected to build much of your own truck around the frame, engine, and wheels, adding a bed for whatever purpose you had, and a cab if you were one of those finicky farmers who preferred not to choke on dust in the summer or freeze to death in the winter.
That $621 dollars back in 1921 would equal the buying power of about $8,900 today. Don’t take that amount of money to your local Ford dealer and expect to get a one-ton chassis with it today, though. You’ll need about another $24,000 to buy a basic one-ton chassis. The good news? It comes with both a seat and a starter.
I think I was drawn to it because of the naked looking truck chassis on sale for $621. It seemed pretty bare bones compared with the less expensive runabout for less money. The truck was for work, the runabout more for recreation. Note that the chassis, which did not include such frills as a place to sit, also sold without a starter. You were expected to build much of your own truck around the frame, engine, and wheels, adding a bed for whatever purpose you had, and a cab if you were one of those finicky farmers who preferred not to choke on dust in the summer or freeze to death in the winter.
That $621 dollars back in 1921 would equal the buying power of about $8,900 today. Don’t take that amount of money to your local Ford dealer and expect to get a one-ton chassis with it today, though. You’ll need about another $24,000 to buy a basic one-ton chassis. The good news? It comes with both a seat and a starter.
