Yes it would be the 56, The 56's always have been the most desired of all ford trucks, always has and always will

56 had too many upgrades that makes it stand above the others, 12 volt electrics, tubeless wheels, bigwindow, larges cubic inch engine of the bunch, and it was the last of the run before the misfits (57-60) trucks

 

From strictly collectable point, I would say a bone stock '53 may be the one. Golden anniversary, of Ford, last of the flat head era. Certainly not from the engineering standpoint.
Personally, I've always liked the '56. I used to walk past a decked out black one in a dealer show room on my way to class.........Love at first sight.

 

What does NADA say about it?
For the 56 Big window it says:
Low Retail Average Retail High Retail
$11,150 $21,000 $53,800

For the 55
Original
MSRP Low Retail Average High
$1,460 $10,350 $20,300 $50,000

Gotta run or I would finish out the years and get the 56 small window....
This is what my credit union uses for loan value on any used vehicle. I think for classic, they will loan on Average retail....

 

The one that is in the best shape and comes at the lowest price. Unless you are an F100 aficionado you probably can't tell one year slant cab from another...the 56 on the other hand is a 1 year only model and is very recognizable by the average truck guy.

 

You got something against 48's?

 

No doubt about it, the 56 Other than that the 40

 

56 for sure has the bigger cab and nicest grill .

 

The most popular is the one you own.

 

Ha, my '52 has 12 volt electrics, tubeless tires, large cubic inch, AND power disc brakes, automatic, power steering, AC...
And a really good looking grill with a tooth showing smile!

 

I have been looking at big old trucks for quite some time ,a truck from the fifties and I ended up with a 56! I like 53,54,55 but I love my 56

 

According to production numbers, the 54 is the rarest.
If you apply the same "survivor" percentages across the board (53-56), there are fewer 54's than any other model. (Panel trucks are their own animal, but in that count, the 54 has the lowest production numbers as well.)


Year Pickups Panel Trucks
1953 116,437 9,951
1954 101,202 8,078
1955 124,842 11,198
1956 137,581 14,023 6,200 (Big Window)


The above numbers were gathered from the internet, so they must be true!
The 56's may be the most popular (or "desirable") model, but as far as collectability goes, the 54 should be at the top of the list for the second gen effies.

And of course I'm not biased...nope, not at all.....

 

Definitely the `56, preferably a Big Window! It's always gonna be a "one year only"model, which increases the desirability & value...take the 32 Ford, for instance No offense to my "slant cab" brethren, but the wrap around windshield & back window were a thing of beauty back then, and still are today.

I lucked out when I bought my `56 Panel in 1979. I had no idea of the popularity of the F-100 at that time. But thanks to Truckin' magazine, I soon learned. Back when Steve Stillwell was still at the helm.

 

I have always been partial to the 56. I tried to buy a 56 big window possibly 15 or 20 years ago that was completely done. Everything was factory black on black the perfect truck. The owner knew it was perfect and would not negotiate I think we were $500 apart on that deal.
I have a 50 because I learned to drive in one. Yeah it was a farm truck and it died a horrible death of rust and neglect. At 12 years old you love your first ride.
Marty

 

To be honest my favorite are the F1, but I love them all. When I started looking for an old truck I could not find the F1 I wanted, and started looking at the 53-56 models. I liked the 54 for only one reason; I like the grill on the 54.

 

To me the 56 is the winner hands down