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
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: james.booth@brightwells.com