Ford has dominated the truck business for the last 75 years, beginning with the Ford F-1 (later renamed F-100) which debuted in 1948. The second generation was built from 1953 to 1956, so the seller’s beauty (an older restoration) may have been one of the last produced that year. Apparently needing nothing, this nice Ford transport is in Vernal, Utah, and is available here on eBay where the reserve is somewhere north of the latest bid of $9,150.
The entry-level pickup in the F-Series was the ½-ton F-100 (also F100), which gained that name in honor of Ford’s 50th anniversary (wouldn’t the F-50 have made more sense?). They were body-on-frame designs for the entire run except for a period in the early 1960s when they shifted to unibody construction. That didn’t work due to the give-and-take that trucks are subjected to under different sizes of loads, so that idea was quickly dropped. The F-100 was replaced by the F-150 in the 1980s.
We’re told this Seafoam Green pickup was restored some years ago and it’s held up quite well. The truck is powered by an inline-6 engine (215 or 223 cubic inches in displacement), paired with a 3-speed manual transmission. The seller says the transport has traveled less than 1,000 miles since all the work was done, so it’s practically new. It carries a long bed for more cargo capacity. It’s said to be a fairly basic truck that originated in California and wasn’t beset with rust before the restoration.
For being 67 years young, this pickup is as nice as you’ll likely find for one that you could either take to shows or use as a daily driver. I certainly wouldn’t do the latter but shouldn’t be afraid to let it do its job from time to time either. This is a far cry from the new-age electric truck that Ford is selling these days for $90,000.
I believe thats a 1956 Ford!!!!
Thanks. Corrected. Listing took me down a rabbit hole!
Only year this style had the wraparound windshield. BTW the 215 was only available for 1952 and 53. This is 223.
Just a note on the comment about the Unibodies – they were still separate body and frame construction. The cab and bed were one piece.
Right up my alley, I own a restored 56. This one looks to be nicely done, don’t see many long beds around. The price should easily double where the bidding stands right now. Pretty unique hood ornament, I’ve seen an assortment of flying ladies, but never quite like this one
I remember once,at the many junk yards I often used, see the “Flying Lady” ornament and wished I would had bought it. I’m sure it was on and Old Caddy but don’t remember what the year of the car was.
A twin to the truck the Rod Taylor character’s family drove in Hitchcock’s “The Birds”
Except that one was an F250 with a V8
Polished but true to its roots! Great to see.
I’m a 56 model turning 67 end of August. Wish I looked that good. Lol I have 9 of these in my diecast collection. She’s a beauty! Nice write-up Russ
Rick Irick from Downriver Detroit??? Worked at Ford Motor Company???? Is that you?
No J2 sorry. I am a Michigan native but not from metro Detroit, although I had relatives in Westland & Livonia.
When I was a kid back in the mid to late 60’s this was the ultimate pickup to hot rod. Lotsa room under the hood and was the ultimate cool factor. I really wanted one, but like I said, I was a high school kid and mostly broke always.
I am sorry but this is one of the most confusing write ups I have seen on B/F. First there seems to be confusion about what year it is. I think if you read the whole thing you should know it is a 56 Ford pick up but not a 1/2 ton short box. That makes it unusual not to be confused with desirable. You can figure that out by the price. And a 6 cylinder engine from the company that made their reputation on V-8’s. This is a nice example of this particular truck just don’t bet the farm on it,
Beautiful truck ,I’d take it over a new f150 anyday of the week, better built& hellava lot cheaper, many guys won’t like the six cylinder, but in my opinion the sixes were better engine, nearly same HP ( I have a 48 w/ flathead 6 , same torque as flathead V8 HP 100, flathead 6 95hp) would you really be able to feel the difference 5 HP? I think not unless you spend a fortune hopping up the V8.
Pretty cool overall truck, the color is great! The things that jump out at me are the radio antenna on the left front fender, and the radio cut into the dash itself.
The 6’s were smoother, lugged better, and were more durable than the flathead 8’s, as well as being easier to repair and maintain. In this situation, I’d take the 6 over the 8 every time.
I think the alternative to the six would have been a Y block V8, not flathead in ‘56
Absolutely correct. I had ’53 in my head for some reason (senior moment) but for a farm or working truck, I still would take the 6!
56 F-100 was always the icon of all pick ups. Always will be. I ran away and eloped with my wife to be in 1972 in a F-600 box truck that I converted to a kind of rough looking RV. Had a Caddy 429 engine and TH400 trans. Made it care free from Miami to Chicago and then used it in my construction business.
My dad bought a ’55 F-100 in December of 1955. It was about this color. Three speed manual. The ’55 model had a “V” in the middle of the grill and if it had a V-8 engine there was a V-8 emblem in the middle of the grill above the ‘V’. Great truck. Only problem was when it was real cold the water that would collect in the sediment bowl on the carburetor would freeze. A few feet down the road my dad would have to pull the bowl off and empty the ice. Fine after that until the next time it froze. The key was on the left side of the dash and it had a black push button starter switch close to the key.