OK, I've had my truck since 2003. Today, I was cruising around and met another truck owner with a clean 54. Of course we pulled over and had to compare and talk trucks. I noticed he had a star on his grill where most trucks have a V8. He told me it meant the truck had a 6 cylinder originally with a 3 speed on the column. I never knew that. He also mentioned the lightning bolt in the hood emblem meant something. Anyone know what the lightning bolt stands for and what other information is there on F100 emblems.

 

The star just indicates a 6 cylinder, my truck has the 4 speed and straight six, here's a picture of mine.

 

I am not sure about the lightening bolt on the hood emblem. I remember reading what it meant when ford introduced it in 53... the gear represents power and work, perhaps the bolt means... Fast??? ha ha

I do know this: in 53 the 6 cylinder star had 3 points. Mercedes Benz thought it looked too much like their 3 pointed star and they sued. So in 54 (and 55) the 6 cyl. star has 4 points. And in 56 there was no indicator for a 6 cyl, just a V8 emblem on a V8n equipped truck.

 

Here is something I found on an internet search, ironically it was here on FTE.

"The gear and lightning bolt does have a deeper meaning. The lightning bolt represents energy, the gear represents mechanical functional. The energy (lightning) is harnessed by the gear and used to fulfill a need. In other words energy is controlled and transformed into work."

Sounds like a great explanation to me.

 

Does anybody know if the holes in the grille for the star are the same location as the V8 emblem? I have a star on my grille but want the V8.

 

I'd assume so, I doubt they'd make two separate grilles for the two different engines. What year do you have? These truck have the parts for most different optional equipment to bolt right in, but may not have been so equipped. Example, my 54 has the spot for the some light even though it never had one, same with the passenger visor, all I'd need for either of these would be to bolt them right in, maybe drill some already premarked holes.

 

Just an FYI each V8 badge is different so be sure to get the right year.
Grille & Emblems - Mid Fifty F-100 Parts

 

I have a 54 grille that is chrome. The aftermarket does not support the 54 grille but they do offer other years.

 

I don't believe that chrome is original. AFAIK, the only original chrome grilles were the deluxe cab 56s. Midfifty has both v8 and straight 6 badges for the 54, they even have the 54 custom cab hash marks!

 

They (Mid Fifty) also have the front parking lights to fit under the grill (also different for different years).
The only factory Chome grill 54-56 is the 56 Custom Cab.

 

I'm sure your all correct that the original grille was not chrome but chrome seems to look nice.

 

For sure. That grill is hard for many to love. Chrome helps everything.

 

Yes you are right but personally I like the grille, it is different than all the rest. To be honest it reminds me of a well endowed lady wearing a tube top.