Round ’em up, move ’em out …. sorry, I’ve been on vacation in cattle country, but that describes the approach to the sale of this nice F-100, packed in among a few others of its kind at the seller’s shop. The seller has no paperwork describing the mechanical work that’s already been accomplished here, but was quick to note he’d let the truck go for an offer of around $9000. It’s currently listed on eBay for $9555, or best. Yes, it’s a ’55 with a ’53 grille. Bring your trailer to Fresno, California to haul it home. The great thing is, if you don’t like this one, the seller might have others available.
Here’s the small block Ford V8, dressed with what looks like a Holley. The engine does not run but does turn “by hand”. The wiring needs to be installed, and the truck comes with a modern harness. The transmission is an automatic; the tires are new. Originally, this half-ton would have come with a 223 cu. in. inline six, or the brand new 239 cu. in. overhead valve Y-block V8, good for at least 130 hp. The Y-block was introduced in 1954, and along with the re-development of the cab, became one of the most momentous changes in F-series history. The new engine retained the same displacement as the flathead that came before it, but both horsepower and torque increased significantly.
When Ford commenced F-series production in 1948, it spent $1 million on the design of the cab – a lot of coin in those days. The focus was comfort, so the cab was roomy, with easy sight lines to the road, and the beginnings of ergonomics improving the steering wheel, the gearshift, and the switches. The “million dollar cab” boosted Ford’s sales, ranking the F-series ahead of most other trucks for decades. In 1953, Ford upped the ante, spending $30 million to widen the cab further, increase the glass area, build better cushions into its seats, lower the hood line, and otherwise attend to driveability features. This was the ’50s, and the race to enhance the driver’s experience was well underway. Here, the seat covers and carpets are new, leaving the interior usable as is. A ’53 anniversary horn button is installed.
The sheet metal is quite straight, and the paint is said to be original. The seller notes just a few spots of rust. The bed wood has been replaced, but the factory pieces come with the truck. At less than $10k with a few mechanical needs, this truck is reasonably priced, given the sky-high entry fee prevailing on most “Effies” today. If this truck dropped in your driveway, what direction would you take the restoration? Back to stock, or steer toward a resto-mod theme?
Hook everything up, paint it and hit the road.
Nice write up. Decent looking truck, for a decent price. I don’t see a master cylinder on the firewall which means it has an “under cab” master cylinder… Fun getting one of them installed, and working… Not… Oh… And wait till you have to replace the under dash windshield wiper motor… You’ll use up all you’re curse words…
Actually, replacing the master cylinder below the seat is not difficult at all. Only two bolts hold it on. Be careful with the hard to find or expensive brass piece that divides the three brake line connections. They can be cross threaded. This truck appears nice but has some mystery. The engine looks very nice cosmetically but only turns by hand. Has a nice patina, I think. I could have made more money six years ago with my running, rarer and mostly original 53 F-100 panel delivery, sold for just $6,500. But I had just upgraded (in my mind) to my 66 F-100 pickup that I paid $9,500, both good deals in todays world for me as buyer and he as purchaser.
The carburetor is an Autolite/Ford/Motorcraft, not a Holley.
Thanks.
I agree. If the distributor is original to the engine. Then the engine is approximately 1978 vintage. Which would make this engine a 302. AND if the transmission is original with the engine then it will be a C4 transmission. Which is ok as long as the rear differential ( which would be a 9″ in this instance) doesn’t have steep gears. Good looking truck with a minimal amount of work required to make it a driver. Sometimes I like the “worn patina look” and sometimes I don’t. Nothing wrong with driving it like it is (providing safety items are attended to) until you decide to leave it as it is or come up with the color/design you want. There’s a ’63 Chevy step side in town that has loads of worn patina with the correct (in my opinion) wheels/tires and stance that is just so cool looking. I drool everytime I drive by it.
Nice truck, would enjoy it as is
Buddy had a late 50’s F150 in the late 70’s. 292 V8, 3 on the tree. Fun to drive, and would lay rubber like crazy
I’m picturing that.
I would finish the restomod on this truck. Including a power brake unit.. Paint it a single color and use it as a short distance daily driver during the week and Cruise It in the weekends.