This 1955 Ford F-100 Pickup is a tidy vehicle with only a few rust issues to be addressed. It is structurally sound and would make a great candidate for a restoration or custom project. It is located in Chester, New York, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding on the Pickup has reached $5,500, but the reserve hasn’t been met.
The owner provides a good array of photos, and what these show is that the Ford’s frame appears to be nice and solid. There’s a pretty decent coating of surface corrosion, but actual rust doesn’t appear to be an issue. The floors do have some rust issues, but some new pans will soon fix those problems. There is also rust present in the bottom corners of both door frames, but this doesn’t appear to be particularly bad. The body itself looks really promising because the only obvious external rust is the usual stuff that you almost invariably see in the cab corners. The thing that strikes me with this Pickup is how straight the panels are. Normally a workhorse like this will have collected a fair old selection of dents and dings because this is just par for the course. However, this one looks remarkably straight, which suggests that its life might not have been a particularly tough one.
The interior of this old Ford is another area that packs a surprise because it doesn’t look too bad. The seat will require a new cover because it is not only pretty badly stained, but it also has a few substantial tears as well. Having said that, there’s nothing there that a blanket wouldn’t address. After all, out of sight, out of mind. Otherwise, the rest of the interior looks really nice, and even the wheel looks to be in great condition. That’s a real bonus because these usually show a lot of wear and tear, along with plenty of general deterioration. This one looks like it could be made to look immaculate again with very little effort.
We now reach the point where things take a turn for the worse. The owner states that the engine in the Ford is a 215ci 6-cylinder power-plant. If this is the case then the vehicle has received a transplant at some point. The 215 was superseded by the 223 in the 1954 model year, and that’s what I believe that we have here. When it was in good health, this was an engine that produced 115hp, which was sent to the rear wheels via a 3-speed manual transmission. The Ford was parked in 1977, and it hasn’t fired a shot in anger since that day. It ran when it was parked, but the engine is now locked. The owner has pulled the plugs and squirted in some of that wonderful Mystery Oil, so there might just be a chance that it will eventually turn once again. Regardless, it will probably require a rebuild if the F-100 is going to be returned to its original specs. Of course, the next owner might have other ideas, and there is certainly no shortage of options if a transplant is the next owner’s choice.
With the ongoing popularity of classic pickups, I don’t find it in the least bit surprising that there are currently 121 people who are watching this listing on eBay. This is a vehicle that offers the next owner a world of possibilities, and it will be interesting to see what our readers would do. Personally, I would be very tempted to throw a blanket over the seat, drop something a bit more modern under the hood, fix the rust in the floors and cab corners, and then drive it like it is. Anyway, that’s my idea. What’s yours?
Must be one of those experimental front drive “55 Fords ( snow tire on front) Great find, don’t waste your time with the 6 popper, it’s more than likely history anyway. Great start, very popular resto-mod today.
390 4 speed, fix the rust and leave it alone,, Tyrone. Breathtaking. Get the original steelies powder coated, disc brakes on the front and cruise in style! Its close to me so if anyone wants me to take a look let me know, Charlie- 845-635-3662. I’d buy it myself if but I have to finish what I have. One of these with an FE is on my bucket list. Good luck to the fortunate new owner!!
I have built 5 of these trucks in the past couple of years, to say I like them is a mild understatement! They are fun trucks to build for alltot of reasons, they are popular there are a variety of parts available new, used, after market kits for just about any drive train changes you would like to do, depending on time ,talent and bank statement. Their popularity also makes them very sellable when you ready for something else.
This truck appears to be in above average condition depending on what your plan on doing with it. If it is to just get it runningand drive it, OK. But I will promise you, your not going to enjoy driving it much it it’s current condition, even if you get it running.
All the trucks I have done have had modified suspension’s and upgraded drive trains. I had no problem selling them and I got my investment back, plus a little extra. I have realized there is a definite formula for the money you will spend ,to do a nice truck. The last three I have done started off in better condition than this BF truck, but not a whole lot,the initial buy was between 8 and 12 K on each of them. They were all nice driving and good looking trucks. The final bill was between 25 and 35K on all of them. I didn’t loose money and a couple have been resold at more than the owner paid me. I guess my point these trucks can be a good deal but you have to spend money to make money and don’t plan on getting rich doing it!
Year wise yes, it should be a 223. Ford was a little funny with using certain engines a little longer in trucks, so who knows? They did use the 239 y block in some 55 trucks where it was a year only in cars.
Definitely a 223 under the hood. Good engine, can’t wear it out; you’ll have to kill it with a stick. And yet a six cylinder in a Ford; it’s almost like seeing a Chevy in a Ford. Don’t get me wrong here; if this came my way I’d restore it original but I would rather have a good Y-block under the hood. Lots of Effies out west with the majority of them in ‘56. Then somehow the ‘57-‘60 models were not nearly as common…
My opinion, restore it completely bone stock, as original, no mods.( with the possible exception of a conversion to 12 volts)? I have been driving a truck like this every summer for almost 40 years (mine’s a 56) It lacks creature comforts for sure, mine doesn’t even have a sunvisor on the passenger side as that was an option the original owner didn’t order! But it is a hoot to drive, and goes down the road just fine, and I have carried some amazing loads in it, used it as my only work truck to build my house. Restored, this will still be running long after all the computerized models of today are long gone for lack of parts !
I live near chester if anyone wants to pay me to inspect this and send a full compliment of photos. Looks like it has real potential.
New York truck needs a good inspection!! A small block with a 5 speed Tremec would do nice for this truck!! Some disc breaks and you got a true classic restomod!!
timm, actually its got a pennsyltucky inspection sticker from 77. Kee-rect about needing a good inspection !! Good luck to the new owner
Cheers
GPC