Ford’s 1941 truck line retained the 1940’s new cabs and front end sheet metal, but major changes were made under the hood. A new L-head six-cylinder engine became available for trucks, replacing the 60-horsepower V-8 offered previously. Since the six was much larger than the small V-8, but equivalent in power, an “economy” model was also offered, using the same four-cylinder engine as the Ford 9N tractor. Perhaps unsurprisingly, most of Ford’s faithful clientele clung to the 221 V-8, now uprated to 90 horsepower.

That is the engine found in the truck offered here, which has been part of the Mohrschladt Family Collection for several years. It was acquired from Jerry Minor of Elk River, Minnesota, who had purchased it in 2010. Reportedly the first owner had used it for his grocery business in a small town near Rochester, after which it was sold to the second owner, who maintained it for 40 years.

The truck was restored by James P. Adam of Carleton, Michigan, back to its original condition, including the attractive Washington Blue and black livery, and an exquisite oak-floored bed with oak side rails. While the restoration is now older, it remains very presentable, with only minor cracking to the paint visible around the roofline; the interior is in fine order, including the proper rubber floor mats, and the woodwork in the rear is still quite beautiful. The work received the distinctive Bob McCoppin Award from the Early Ford V-8 Club of America, a Scottish terrier that is still mounted to the rear license plate frame. The truck has numerous correct accessories, including DeLuxe headlight bezels, a side-mounted spare, and a DeLuxe heater, as well as a period-correct “suicide knob” on the steering wheel. At the time of cataloguing, the odometer recorded only 14,423 miles.

A great truck for enjoying at local cruise-ins and shows, or for advertising one’s business, this beautiful ’41 Ford is a pickup to treasure.