What do you do with a truck like this? This listing is literally just for the body, as the chassis is long gone. It’s a Ford truck of 1950s vintage, and the body is all that remains of this once-handsome rig. The seller doesn’t know the specific year, but I’d peg it as being a 1957 model – anyone agree or disagree? Regardless, given the popularity these enjoy with the ratrod and hotrod crowds, it wouldn’t surprise me to see it restored. Find it here on craigslist for $500.
The grill and hood were two clues I took into consideration to guess that this is a ’57 model. The “V8” badges and point at which the hood cuts into the fender seem unique to the ’57 styling. These 50s-era F100 pickups were among the most handsome and iconic of Ford’s pickup line, and remain quite desirable today.
The rear window is long gone, but thankfully the front wrap-around glass remains. The interior shows a dashboard, steering wheel, and the speedometer cluster. There’s little else to salvage from this Ford, which is why a potential hotrod build that would have involved gutting the interior and drivetrain here may make the most sense.
The body panels look to be from a few different eras, with the passenger side looking much fresher than the driver’s side. The bed has no floor, and looks to have other rust as well. Still, I’m surprised it’s as solid as it is, and hopefully this Ford pickup has a better future ahead of it than just as a planter box. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Ian for the find.
It’s a ’56 and it’s more complete than you say. ’56 had that built in visor and that new style speedometer. I see a frame, so someone just took the axles off. Just a parts truck, but today, there is no such thing. Lot of work, but these reality tv shows, show us how easy it can be,,,( yeah, right, in one amazing 1 hour episode,,,20 minutes, minus commercials) it goes from this to like new.
Most definitely a ’56. That was the only year the Effies had a wrap-around windshield, complete with knee knocker door frames. The body doesn’t look too bad so there’s a lot of potential for a resto-mod, or for the die-hard purist, a restoration. I’m a die-hard purist but I still would be tempted to do this one up with some more modern parts from my own boneyard. I’ve got a 302 from an ’85 Mustang, and a 400M from a ’77 LTD. Both would do an excellent job in a truck like this. With the axles gone, you could run a Ford 9-inch on a set of leafs in the rear and a bolt-on IFS in the front. Lots of stuff available, and many items for a budget-minded gearhead. Of course it would take a lot longer than an hour–Howard–more like two to three for the fleet-fingered…
Congrats on the membership!!
Good morning, Howard. And thanks. Yeah, after about four derails I finally got BF to accept my money. I would get everything down then enter my credit card, and the whole page would disappear. They say the third time is the charm. Well this was the fourth, but it worked…
Good morning Howard and Geomechs nice to see you made it to the membership ranks Geomechs. I hope you find it worthwhile, I do. On to the truck I would be willing to bet that this would land on a ford ranger frame with all the mechanics still in place. Which would mean a body resto only. Just my thoughts of course some measuring would need to be done before you pull the trigger on that move, and some body mounts would need to be fabricated. Oh I’d go red body black fenders/ running boards and a chrome grille/ bumpers.
I suggest art for a business .. I was in Florida where I saw these sat by outside bar areas and also saw roadside nurseries with plants in bed.. The truck had logos on door for advertising…consider it basically relocating a outside vehicle to a possible tax write off for business 🤑
I am sure some purist will complain on use of an already abandoned truck but if they feel deeply about it then why not bring it home for Christmas 🎄 as a 🎁 for the wife👀
Yep, a ’56. For your benefit Jeff, ’57 front fenders didn’t “flare” out as these, they were on plane with the doors.
Sadly this thing has been significantly consumed by the tinworm. Look at that missing rear window pic with a fair bit of missing metal just above the roof seam. These are notorious for this issue and it’s probably worse in front. Bottom 4 or so inches of the cab/doors/cowl are far gone. Oh well, the price isn’t super crazy at least.
It could only be a labor of love for someone to restore it. Way too much money to do so.
would be hard to decide what to do with it until you pull it out of the dirt–body and frame are probably crackers. yes its only 500 but laying on the ground is never a good thing. Probably was a decent body when parked. love this body style! Good luck to the new owner!
Cheers
GPC
It does seem to have been well on its way to being eaten from the bottom up by nature.
“but thankfully the front wrap-around glass remains”…….. Well half of it remains, you must have missed the big hole in it.
This is a 1956 f100, and the reason I know is because I have one setting in my driveway, but mine is also a f100 custom cab.
The 1957 Ford EFFIE Was Box Next To This….I took my driving test in a 56 Panel. Now Someone Please Start Calling These RAT RODS What They Really Are POS RUST BUCKETS, I don’t want to have to get a Tetanus Shot Every Time I Open The Door.
I’d say get the cab….but the dash has already been cut out for a later radio – still those 56 only parts are there….hot rodders like that steering box….also the left fender id free of the spare tire cut out so if it’s not to rusty that is a save…the grill if not to bad is the preferred for the 53-54 and 55’s….just saying
Yup a ’56 indeed. Only year for that cab. Nearly every piece for that pickup is available as repop so the only issue with bringing it back is wondering if whoever does it has deep enough pockets.
Had a ‘56 f250 long bed with a big rear window.had it for a few days and this guy came up and offered me $3000 for it. I told him I wanted to enjoy it for a while.
I happen to have a complete chassis with all the electrical harnesses, engine 272 CID. and Fordomatic transmission all the way to the 4 wheels. It was of a long bed. Chassis van be cut.
A ’56 F-100. My humble opinion; the best looking pickup truck, ever!