HI Guys,

I'm new to the F100 world, but have always loved the fat fender Fords. This is also my first post on the forum, so I'm a newbie in both sences of the word. I just purchased a 53' F100, well half of it anyways. The rest will be paid for when I pick it up, the end of this month. My questions: Is there a way to tell if it was originally a Deluxe model? I've seen the different side hood badges and was told about the teeth in the grille. The truck does have mounting holes of the Deluxe badges and the teeth but I sure the hood and grille have been replaced. Were ther any other options of signs that will give me a clue if my truck was originally a Deluxe or not?

I tried doing a search with a vin decoder through the following sites.
http://www.f100central.com/1953-Ford-Truck.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/vin-decoder/index.php?a=decode
Although they were both very useful, I still am unclear if it was a deluxe
or not.

Here's the pic of my truck. I'm kicking my self for not taking more.

 

I think some of the deluxe cabs may have had an optional chrome trim piece that ran the length of the dash (across the middle) and then across the doors? I could be wrong though. They advertise the trim on page 31 of the new Midfifty catalog. If your dash/doors have the trim or the holes I would guess that would be what you have.

 

Let me extend a welcome to the forum. Only additional info I can say is that over the course of the last 55 years, any parts, bodies, etc... could have been swapped out.

 

Yea, your right about that. I still haven't decided exactly what I what out of the F-1. I only know, it is going to be mostly stock for a long while. I've been to a couple of car/truck shows and you over hear a couple of guys taking about another guys restoration and there tarring it apart. This isn't correct or that isn't correct.

I just curious, because I don't know much about these trucks as far as what they came with stock and what options they had. Just trying to gather as much knowledge as possible before I do something stupid like cutting into the dash for a stereo. (not really)

But thanks, for the info!!! I was on MidFifty's website today, they have a ton of stuff for these trucks. You could almost build a complete truck from just there catalog alone.

I wonder if Deluxe cabs only came in certain colors or with certain engines?

 

Custom cab: chrome roof and wind wing trim. Two arm rests, one on each door. Side hood ornaments different.Grill teeth? Inside cab light? Fresh air heater? N/D where are you?

 

'53 only: 3 pieces in between the horizontal bars on each side (6 total)

 

Hello and welcome!

We just finished a thread that a lot of folks added stuff to. It lists the options that were available upgrades for the "Five Star Extra Cabs" (51/52); the "Deluxe Cab" (53/54) and the "Custome Cab" (55/56). It's not listed in the Serial numbers or on th erating plates.

Here is the link to that thread:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...ustom-cab.html

Good luck and again, Welcome

Julie

Here is that thread

 

53 Rat, welcome. This is a great site with great people that are more than willing to answer any questions that you may have. I would still be building my truck if I hadn't found this website. Congrats on the truck and good luck.

 

another beater 53 !!!!!!!!!!! welcome to our corner of the planet !!!!! flatty powered or a 6 popper ??????????

 

Is the wind wing the little filp window on the doors?

 

Are you still talking about the wind wing?

 

Thanks for all the info so far guys!!!!!

Here's some stats on the F1 that I know about:
F-100 Conventional
O.H.V. 6 Cylinder-215 cid
3 on the tree
Assembeld in Long Beach

I like that it's an original CA truck. The guy I'm buying it from lives in Temecula, and he bought it from a guy in Chula Vista. I'm in San Diego and plan on staying here for a long while.

 

Where in San Diego?

OMG! a Chula-Juana truck. Be sure and drive it and turn EVERYTHING on and off to make sure it works - especially the wiring. Do you know why he's selling it, or why it has changed hands so many times?

You are calling this an F1 but the picture you posted is of a 53-55 F-100. So I'm guessing it's a 53 F-100 (half ton). Are you getting the one in the picture? (F1s [half ton] ended in 1952 and they changed the designation to F-100 in 1953).

Good luck,
Julie

PS. Yes the "Wind Wings" are the small triangular vent windows in the door forward of the main window - per Jake. And I think Havi was talking about the small teeth on the grill for the 53 Deluxe Cab

 

53rat, the stainless steel trim around the drip rail is a dead giveaway for a custom cab, that is a fairly rare trim piece for slant cabs. I am in El Cajon and have lots of parts for these trucks and a fair amount of experience working on them. Feel free to come by, I am in the garage most days trying to get one of my 56 F100s finished off right now. Welcome to the board...
BTW - my truck club, PickUps Limited - San Diego Chapter, meets this Monday evening at Jimmy's restaurant on Mission Gorge in Santee at 7:30 PM. Feel free to stop by and meet a number of others who share your interest in 53-56 Ford F100 pickups.

 

Jeez Charlie, did you pick that out of the picture above, or did I mess some photo's some place. I STILL can't see it - maybe a dash.

J!