For a truck that was built on claims of infinite toughness and go-anywhere traction, this 1956 Jeep “Forward Control” 150 (FC-150) is looking a bit sad. The seller notes it was pulled out of its slumber after 30 years inside of a barn. Unfortunately, time has not been kind to the FC-150 and rust is significant. Can it be saved? Find it here on eBay with a $500 opening bid and no reserve.
As noted in the top photo, rust is present all around the perimeter of the Jeep. The rear shows a bed littered with significant rust as well, and the non-standard bed design also suggests the original was trashed years ago. Given the Jeep is in New Hampshire, there’s little doubt this rig saw plenty of wintertime use.
Of course, given the bold marketing about the tough grades the FC-150 could tackle and the sort of rigorous duties it could perform, it’s of little surprise it was used hard and put away wet. The interior shows a cabin that wasn’t treated with much kindness over the years, either, and while the seller says all running gear is present, that’s of little comfort considering the other work needed.
The FC-150 may be best suited to giving up the good parts it still has to a more worthy project. The seller notes the presence of a front winch and rear PTO shaft, and the cab appears to have good glass all around. While I love these unusual FC rigs, did this FC-150 stay in the barn too long before being rescued?
Where to start…! First of all the box is very simple by design and would be easier to start over with new materials, the cab is another matter. But it doesn’t look like it’s beyond hope. It will need the usual patch fabrication but it is small compared to a car and would be manageable. As for the rest of it I’d start looking for a late 1990’s or early 2000’s dodge one ton, something pre EFI on a cumins diesel with 5speed manual transmission. I’d then restore that chassie and transplant this cab and new replica box onto the dodge. Finally paint it your favorite colour mine is red and you would have a very solid vehicle to use in what ever way you saw fit. The old drive line and chassie I’d sell off in pieces to those that prefer the purist route. Anything that wouldn’t sell in a reasonable time frame I’d scrap. JMHO.
Ok,,well, the plus side, it is a FC. Cab is where it’s suppose to be. Aside from the obvious deterioration, it really has a lot going for it. It’s complete, and could no doubt be made to run again, got the plow setup, the front winch and the rear PTO. This is a very typical sight with FC’s, they were used in the worst of weather, and cabs literally fell off, so you’re that much ahead of the game.Mechanical parts, a-plenty, body, that’s gonna be a toughie. Literally impossible to find today. If I lived in Michigan, this would be in my driveway right now. Got leiniedude written all over it!!!
LOL Howard! Thanks, I wish I could jump in. Thanksgiving I was going to take the old Willys wagon for a cruise. Backed out of the garage and no brakes! Exciting for a couple seconds, got lucky and smashed into nothing. No leaks so maybe the MC? Man, as much as I used to love working on my old crap, getting to hard and to cold now. I hate to call the hook and have someone else repair it. But I really enjoy driving her in the snow. Any advice? I hope you had a great Thanksgiving. Oh, as a sidebar, calling for 4 to7 inches of snow Sunday. Gotta blaze, Wonder Women is on. Take care, Mike.
Hi Mike, yeah, got to be careful with those old “one line wonders”. No brakes, nothing, not even a couple pumps? Sounds like the MC, easy fix, and the local NAPA probably has one on the shelf( with dust on it) If I remember, they are on the frame under the drivers floor, no? If I come back, a garage with some sort of heat is imperative.
It’s so tough it’s rusted through…😆
I agree it could be saved and toss that bed out and create your own box.
This will be a costly frame off for the non welder and fabrication guy but for the handy man a cool project!
You think the body looks bad? Having lived in that neck of the woods at one time and having had my own adventure with a rusty Willys pickup that I bought in New Hampshire, I am willing to bet that the condition of the frame would scare the bejeezus out of you.
There isn’t much info on this truck, just lots of info on these in general.
It’s too bad that people find it necessary to abuse and neglect these rarities. Then try and sell what looks to be a hopeless situation. I’d buy one just because they are rare now, and interesting. But not this one.
Since the bed is rusted beyond repair, I would hazard a guess that this truck hauled salt for the roads in the Winter. I can just imagine what the frame looks like underneath.
Did I misunderstand? It looks like a factory bed to me.
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/01/fb/08/01fb08676107f773e0acddbcf5c487e9.jpg
Why is it referred to as a FC150 when it was accurately called a FC170 in the ad? I had no idea that these were tilt-cabs. That raises the cool factor for me.
BR, it’s a FC 170 for sure. The cab does not tilt, this one has a cab mount problem that looks like a tilt cab. That’s not supposed to happen and it’s really bad. You get to the motor by removing the cover between the two seats.
If the throttle cable gives up, you take the motor cover off and the passenger works the carb linkage with your left hand. Been there, done that. At 5:00 AM on the first day of deer season, Dad taught me you do what you have to do to get there. Fix the Jeep when you get home. It brings back memories of the good ‘ol days.
Thanks Joe, I appreciate that. I really didn’t think the cabs tilted but when I saw that picture of the cab tilted it had me wondering. Maybe that was something in the works for a future (back then) model?
You’re right, Jeep never followed through on the tilt cab. It was designed by Brooks Stevens who got the idea from larger cabover trucks, but that tilt cab feature was left out. This guy made his own.
http://thefcconnection.com/%2761_fc-150_tilt_cab.htm
Wow! That’s really well done. Working on tilt cab trucks a lot in the past, I came to realize that their biggest downfall was not securing objects in the sleeper prior to tilting the cab. I have personally witnessed at least a couple dozen fire extinguishers going through a windshield.