1961 Ford Navy Point for sale in Ventura, CA

Listed at $29,900 USD.

A PIECE OF POINT MUGU HISTORY This 1961 Ford F-250 factory 4x4 was built specifically for the United States Navy under government contract, and surviving original hardware on the truck is stamped “PROPERTY USNAS POINT MUGU CALIFORNIA,” tracing its Navy service directly to U.S. Naval Air Station Point Mugu in Ventura County. Remarkably intact 65 years later, the truck survives as a time capsule of early 1960s Ford and U.S. Navy history. It retains its original brass Navy contract data plate, matching Ford serial number, military brush guard with dual flag holders, and other original military equipment. Built in July 1961 at Ford’s San Jose Assembly Plant, this is not a civilian F-250 later modified to resemble a military vehicle. It was factory built as an F-250 4x4 specifically for U.S. Navy procurement and has spent virtually its entire life in California. HIGHLIGHTS • Navy service traced to U.S. Naval Air Station Point Mugu, California • Original hardware stamped “PROPERTY USNAS POINT MUGU CALIFORNIA” • Built July 1961 at Ford’s San Jose Assembly Plant • Factory built for the United States Navy under government contract • Original U.S. Navy brass contract data plate • Original 292 cubic inch Y-block V8 • Factory four wheel drive F26 chassis • Original divorced Spicer transfer case • Original military brush guard with dual flag holders • PowerGEN charging system with original generator mounting and wiring retained for easy return to stock • Original California black license plate included with sale • Original 1961 Ford Truck Shop Manual included • Clean California title POINT MUGU PROVENANCE One of the most compelling aspects of this truck is that its military history no longer ends with simply knowing that it belonged to the U.S. Navy. Original hardware discovered on the truck is stamped: “PROPERTY USNAS POINT MUGU CALIFORNIA” This traces the truck’s Navy service directly to U.S. Naval Air Station Point Mugu in Ventura County. Combined with the original Navy contract plate, Navy registration number and matching Ford serial number, the Point Mugu marking gives this truck an unusually tangible connection to its military past. For someone with a connection to Point Mugu, Naval Base Ventura County or U.S. Navy history, this represents an opportunity to preserve a surviving piece of local military history. ORIGINAL U.S. NAVY CONTRACT PLATE The original brass Navy contract plate remains mounted on the dash and identifies the truck as: TRUCK, CARGO, PICKUP 4X4 Ford Serial Number: F26CR190138 U.S. Navy Registration Number: 94-42727 Government Contract Number: ORD-27236 Production Date: July 1961 Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company Model: F-250 GVW: 7,000 lbs Payload: 2,045 lbs The F26 serial designation identifies the truck as a factory four wheel drive F-250, further documenting that this was not a two wheel drive truck converted to 4x4 later in life. A RARE PIECE OF FORD & U.S. NAVY HISTORY Factory four wheel drive F-250s represented only a small portion of Ford’s 1961 truck production, making genuine factory 4x4 examples uncommon from the day they left the assembly line. Historical Ford production information indicates that only 149 factory four wheel drive F-250 Stylesides were produced during the 1961 model year. From that already tiny production, this truck was manufactured specifically for United States Navy procurement under government contract and ultimately served at Point Mugu. Ford did not publish a separate production total for Navy procurement trucks, making it impossible to know how many were built or how many survive today. Finding one that still retains its original Navy contract plate, matching Ford serial number, military equipment and physical evidence identifying its Navy duty station is exceptionally uncommon. This is more than simply an old pickup. It is a remarkably intact piece of Ford, Point Mugu and United States Navy history that has survived for 65 years. MECHANICAL Power comes from the original 292 cubic inch Y-block V8. The truck starts easily, runs well and maintains proper operating temperature. It is equipped with a PowerGEN charging system that preserves the original generator appearance while providing modern charging reliability. The original generator mounting and wiring have been retained, allowing the charging system to be returned to stock if desired. The original divorced Spicer transfer case shifts properly through its ranges. The front axle currently does not pull under power, so the four wheel drive system should be inspected before being considered fully operational. I have not disassembled the front locking hubs or axle to determine the cause. The odometer currently reads 22,607 miles. Due to the age of the vehicle, actual mileage is unknown and cannot be verified. BODY & CONDITION This truck has spent decades in California and remains exceptionally solid throughout. The cab, bed, frame, floors and sheet metal display the honest character expected of a 65 year old military work truck without excessive restoration or cosmetic alteration. The engine compartment, chassis and undercarriage have intentionally not been cosmetically restored. Rather than presenting as an over-restored show truck, it retains the honest appearance and character of a remarkably preserved California military survivor. Traces of an earlier caution yellow finish remain visible beneath the current metallic green paint in several areas, offering another glimpse into the truck’s working history. The truck has not been restored back to its Navy configuration, giving its next owner several compelling options: preserve it exactly as it sits, sympathetically restore it, or return it to its Point Mugu U.S. Navy appearance using the surviving documentation and original military equipment as a guide. Whether preserved, restored or displayed as part of a collection, opportunities to acquire documented factory military contract Ford trucks with identifiable base provenance are exceptionally uncommon. If you’re looking for one of the most unusual and historically interesting 1961 Ford F-250s you’re likely to encounter, this truck deserves a close look. Located in Topanga, California. Cold-start and running video available upon request, along with additional photographs, documentation, underside photos and detailed images of the original U.S. Navy contract plate and Point Mugu property marking. Nationwide shipping can be arranged at buyer’s expense. $29,900 OBO