Been lurking here for a few months and decided it was time to join up. I've been a car (and truck) guy all my life. Built old school hot rods as a teenager in the '60's. Recently bought a '53 F-100 panel. Been working on it for three months. It was rodded in the '80's and driven for a few years. Put in storage in 1987. Previous owner said it was started and driven once in a while during that time, but I have my doubts. When I got the truck the brakes were locked up and it barely ran. When I pulled the boots of the rear wheel cylinders brown mud ran out. So, new brakes all around, tune up, (timing was way off), fresh fluids, new water pump and general clean up so far.

The truck has 360 Chrysler with 904 auto. Yeah, yeah, I know. Not my first choice for engine but I think I'll leave it for now. Seems to be running OK. Has Volare front end, steering, column and power brakes. Interior was done in gray and red with 1970's captain chairs and rear bench seats. Seats are gone, found some buckets in the junk yard. Rest of interior maybe OK.
Paint is shot, but body is solid. Only very minor rust. Floors, doors, door frames, window frames all solid. New style smooth running boards. Had vintage alloy wheels that were really cool, but 14 inch (they're for sale). Tires were dry rot city. A buddy sold me some 17 inch mustang wheel/tires.

Geting ready for gauges and rewire. Also, found a ididit column on ebay.

Anyway, that's my story. Sorry it got so long. I put an album in the pics (53 FOPAR Panel). Not sure how to add them here...

 

welcome, that has great bones. Good for you. Looks like a fun project.

Bill

 

Want to welcome you and say that you've started out with a pretty decent panel, wish I had been able to start out with one as solid as that. Good of you to join us and be sure to keep us updated with any changes you make. Enjoy your time here .

 

Nice looking truck! Welcome!

 

Welcome! Always nice to see another Panel being saved. I think that the Mustang wheels go well with the truck. The interior is still decent and needs very little attention. The paint could also be restored. Try some paste wax or a good polish.

The Mopar conversions were popular in the 80s. The Volare front end swaps were the MII swaps of the day.

 

Welcome '53. That looks like a very solid truck. I hadn't really looked for a Panel when I was looking for my truck but I'm really getting into them since I've been here.

Steve