The Great Plains conjures up so many mental images, from great sweeping prairies and farm fields to small family farms. That region has to still be loaded with old pickups lying around in barns or in fields waiting for resurrection. This 1955 Ford F-100 pickup is listed here on eBay in Gretna, Nebraska, about 1/3 of the way between Omaha and Lincoln. The seller has a $10,000 buy-it-now price listed, or you can make an offer.
Gretna, Nebraska is in the far eastern part of the state, but the seller says they found this great-looking F-100 in western Nebraska. It’s quite a bit drier in the western part of the state, and other than some rust in the usual areas (cab corners, etc.), this truck looks great. I love the side-mount spare tire, and this one also has a spotlight on the driver’s side.
I’m assuming the angle iron work on each side of the tailgate was for tail and brake lights, but I don’t see any on this truck. Although, there are a couple of small brackets on each side, so I don’t know what the angle iron is for, any guesses? It’s probably a well-known thing that I should know, even though I’m far from an expert on 1950s pickups. Here’s what the inside of the bed looks like.
The second-generation F-Series was made from 1952 for the 1953 model year, until the end of 1956 in the U.S., and they were and still are nice trucks to own. The plaid seat cover is a nice touch, and this truck looks like a nice survivor in the many photos that the seller has provided. Ford referred to this cab as a “Driverized” three-man cab and it’s fitted with a four-speed manual, according to the seller.
The VIN for 1955 says this one should have a 239 V8, but the seller says it has a 272-cu.in. V8. The 272, I believe, wasn’t available until 1956, but maybe this is a late ’55? The VIN says it’s a 1955 truck. In any case, the 272 would be a nice upgrade and 172 horsepower, quite a bump over the 239’s 130 hp. We don’t know if it turns or not, but the seller says the truck rolls for easy loading. This engine will be gone in the first week if this truck finds a buyer, I’m assuming. How would you bring this one back to life? Bone-stock for me, but I’m in the minority, as always.
Nice find Scotty. I’m not sure about the Ford truck division but as for cars, my Dads ’55 Crown Vic had a 272 Y block with a 2 barrel. So it could be a 272 out of a ’55. I still remember he had the paperwork from the Jiffy Kit ( anyone remember those???) To rebuild the carb on it back in 1958 or ’59 when he had it.
You could be right, D. The info that I found says at least for trucks, the 239 was the only V8 for ’55. Here’s a cool ’55 brochure, as one source.
https://autocatalogarchive.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Ford-F-100-1955.pdf
Here’s another: if you plug in the 272 V8, Hagerty brings you to the 1956 model year.
https://www.hagerty.com/valuation-tools/search?q=1955+Ford+F-100&submodel=1%2F2+Ton&engineDescription=8-cyl.+272cid%2F167hp+2bbl&p=1&st=ymm
Scotty, I love it when you dig up the old brochures. I’m always learning something new on here!!! So it’s either the 239 which is what it would have had from the factory which you CORRECTLY pointed out in your write up, or a 272 out of a ’55 or ’56. Or ’55 Car. Thank you again for all the research you and everyone does on here. I appreciate the time it takes. I enjoy all the articles on here.
You are way too kind, sir, thanks much! The VIN says 239, but either way, it would be a great truck if it were in running and driving condition. Hopefully it will be soon.
It’s interesting about the engine here. If it was painted the original color (or was an original engine out of something else) the seasick green suggests a Mercury engine. Mercury (car) engines were painted pale green into ’54. If you got a larger truck (or a Canadian made Mercury M-100) the engine was an off-white. My first impression of this truck is that it’s running a 256 Mercury engine.
Doesn’t really matter; all the Y-blocks between 239 and 312 fit in the same hole. I might add that you’ll experience some difficulties adapting a dual exhaust to these unless you can find a set of center-discharge manifolds, as the rear discharge units run directly into the steering gear (ask me how I know).
Just the same, this truck could come to my place and I would give it a good home…
Love the catalog in the link. Great morning coffee reading!!
These are undoubtedly cool when they emerge from the shop in highly modified or restomodded form. But I’m with you Scotty, I’d like to see this one restored to stock, given its clean condition.
The front end designs on these are among my favorites ( well, I have many faborites lol). I also agree with Bob, I’d love to see this kept un modified and stock. Even if it may not have the original Y Block in it, it wouldn’t matter to me if its a 272 or 239, if it runs, or can get it running, great!!!
Side-mount spare: My dad spent lots of time on roads which were barely roads, working the shoestring oil fields of southeastern Ohio. So flat tires were common. I remember him telling of one frustrating day when he had two flat tires. He had a preferred location for the spare tire for his short wheelbase Flaresides…..
Under the bed? Nope, too hard to access, especially when trying to change a tire on a muddy road. In the bed? Possible, but it takes up space. Behind the cab on the left side, like this one? Nope, when you hop out of the truck and need to grab a tool out of the bed, it’s in the way. Same spot, but on the other side? Better, but still in the way when you need to step up to reach a tool on that side.
So, where was his preferred location? On a custom bracket bolted to the front bumper. As far as I know the truck(s) never experienced cooling issues.
Bob, it sounds like your Dad was a smart man, and put a lot of thought into things. Thats a good idea, and can completelyunderstand why he did it. To this day, spare tires are inconveniently mounted under the bed of a truck. I’m sure are many of us here who had to get a stuck spare tire down off the rack under the bed in the pouring rain.
Hmmm… Very cool truck, but now I’m confused… I bought a 53 F 100 delivery truck. I needed a gas tank. After days of research I believed that the pickup trucks had the tank behind the seats and the delivery trucks had them mounted to the side frame due to no seats… I’m looking at the location of the filler cap on this truck and it seems to low for a behind the seats mount… Not to mention nobody makes the under body tank. Had to have one custom made, $$$. Anybody got an answer on the tank location?
I’m guessing the angle iron is used to give extra strength to the rear fenders when the tailgate is down, since it looks like an old farm truck and hauled all kinds of stuff.
I think the angle iron was used to keep box sides from spreading.
Gotta love them old fat fendered Fords. So does the angle iron keep the bed sides from splaying out when you open the gate? And what is hiding under that sheet of plywood in the back? Wonder what the original purchaser had in mind when he opted for the 4 speed, rare option on a half ton. I see an extra gauge under the dash, is that where the 272 came from when the oil pressure or temp gauge quit and fried the old engine? Have to wonder how many of the others he’s going to sell. I love old trucks but would have to see it up close and personal for 10k.
Mr Harris is Correct!!! The angle braces on the rear of the box was a usual addition to add strength to the box.. This truck definitely needs to be kept as stock as possible!!! My 55 F-600 also has the 239 Y block, But I have never had it apart to measure it.. $10k is a little high?? But you always ask high and bargain down some..
This one’s perfect as-is, right down to the license plate hanging from one screw.
Too bad about that funky rear window, but I think that the mounted spotlight is pretty cool.
Had a ’54 3/4 ton with a 4-speed and a PTO to raise and lower the bed like a dump truck. It also had a small door in the tailgate that you could slide open or closed in order to unload grain, coal, or gravel. When it was time to add gravel to the driveway, we would go to West Side Lumber, fill the bed with gravel, then take it home and proceed to add gravel to the driveway by opening that
door in the tailgate, lifting the bed, and pouring out the gravel like a dump truck. This took several passes
up and down the driveway and I was
Always the guy whose job it was to spread that stuff with a rake to make it even. I also used it to pull several
floats during parade season one year.
Unlike this truck, mine had the 223 6
cylinder engine under the hood and boy was it a torquey beast too. It wasn’t fast but Dad said you could pull a house down with it if you wanted to. Sold it off to buy my Mom’s ’66 Cadillac Calais 4-door hardtop to keep my drunken Uncle from buying it. Uncle Bobby loved to drink and more than likely would’ve
wrecked it driving drunk. Sure wish I had it now as Ford didn’t make too many of these with a hydraulic dump
style pickup box on it. In fact, I think mine was the only one I’d ever seen built like that. Just get it driving and stopping, add a radio, then drive and enjoy.
$10,000.00??? What are we thinking nowadays with the amounts that are being spent on old iron?? I love these old Ford trucks of this vintage, but I would never pay that price for a rusted old truck no matter what it was!!!
Just my opinion.
I have had 6 of these era trucks. None of them were 100% original but a couple were just mildly modified to my last one, that was over the top and the price I sold it for reflected that. Even the ones that were just nice trucks brought numbers in the low to mid twenties. That’s the good & bad news. They are popular but not cheap to build or own. Parts are not a problem, lots of sources, used, new and reproduction. I am not advocating you only buy or build something for profit,that’s crazy. But it is also crazy to pay 10K for a truck that is going to need every thing. Trust me it is not fun having a vehicle that when you sell it you lose 15 to 25K, it takes some of the fun out of it.
Nice solid no government intervention shortbed 50’s Ford truck. Yes it seems high but if you know how to replace the brakes, how easy, or rebuild the carburetor, how easy, paying someone else makes it an expensive truck. To just drive as is.
As an old guy that is an easy fixum up truck. Back in my teen years that was a 200 dollar truck, if it ran. But its not the 1970’s and these trucks are 1 in a hundred. Pay the 9K and be happy that the feds can kiss your ass about telling you what you can drive and be a victim to a car mechanic.
A complete all original non wrecked shortbed from yesteryear, damn right worth every red cent.
Auction update: someone made the seller an offer they couldn’t refuse; this one is gone.