Rick Just
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Author
  • Speaker
  • Contact

An Old Ford Ad

9/18/2018

Comments

 
​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. 
Picture
Speaking of Idaho history posts are copyright © 2020 by Rick Just. Sharing is encouraged. If you don’t find a button that lets you do that, find the post on Speaking of Idaho. If you’re missing my daily posts, select the RSS button, or select See it First under the Facebook Following tab.
Comments
    Like and follow Speaking of Idaho on Facebook and Twitter.

    Subscribe to the Speaking of Idaho newsletter

    * indicates required
    Email Format
    Picture
    The first book in the Speaking of Idaho series is out. Ask for it at your local Idaho bookstore, find it on Amazon, or, if you want a signed copy, click the button.
    Picture
    Rick's book about Fearless Farris is available on Amazon! Click the picture above to be taken to Amazon. If you'd like an autographed copy, click the button below.

    Author, Speaker

    Rick Just has been writing about Idaho history since 1989 when he wrote and recorded scripts for the Idaho Centennial Commission’s daily radio program, Idaho Snapshots. His latest book on Idaho history is Images of America, Idaho State Parks. Rick also writes a regular column for the Idaho Press.

    Rick does public presentations on Idaho's state park history and the history of the Morrisite war for the Idaho Humanities Council's Speakers Bureau.
    ​


    Check out Rick's history of Idaho State Parks.

    The audio link below is to Rick's Story Story Night set called "Someplace Not Firth"

    RSS Feed

Speaking of Idaho history posts are copyright © 2022 by Rick Just. Sharing is encouraged. If you’re missing my daily posts, select the RSS button, or select See it First under the Facebook Following tab.

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you follow a link (generally to a book) from my page to an Amazon page, I get a tiny percentage of any purchase you may make.