Real Wheels: '40 Ford Pickup is fun truck to drive
Jan. 21—INDIAN LAKE — George Keller, of Indian Lake, had a heart for a lonely pickup sitting by the road. He has owned it for 17 to 18 years now.
"It was sitting alongside the road and I felt sorry for it, so I bought it," said Keller.
Ford Motor Company had a fresh new look for its truck consumers with their redesigned 1940 Ford truck. The post-war truck was an all-new, light-duty truck with a clean styling similar to the 1939-1940 passenger cars. The flowing grille of the Lincoln made the truck look rugged. Plus the 1940 Fords had for the first time the modern sealed-beam headlights, the most beautiful headlight design of its time.
The cab was broadened in 1940, creating a more spacious riding atmosphere for driver and passenger and the instrument panel looked like the panel used in Ford's cars, providing easier adaptation in driving the truck.
The redesign worked, as the 1940 Ford pickup was a popular choice among new and used truck buyers in the 1940s.
Keller brought his truck to the Downtown Lima Car Show and Chicken BBQ held in the parking lot of Allen County Children Services.
Keller did all the work on the truck himself.
"I just drive it around town," said Keller. "Nothing fancy, just a fun truck to drive."
