Took my 54 out for the first time since I've had it. It is the first time it has been on the road since 1975.


It was just a short drive to test it out, but it's a start!

 

Any progress is good to have. But getting her drivable is certainly a great feeling and a step toward completion... congrats.

 

I hope to be at that stage soon. Congrats!

 

First drive is a great motivator! Congrats!

 

I haven't driven this truck since I was a teenager! Was a good feeling to take it down the street.

 

Rite on, the first test drive that is always a really cool feeling to say the least. It even has a seat, not a milk crate, so that makes it official, it's a running driving truck. Congratulations, now you just have to KEEP ON ROCKING till it's done.

 

Classic! Progress is always a good thing.

 

Hey Indybeer,
Looking good over there! Any video? Do you have the bed, fenders, etc... waiting in the garage? I found it really tough when it was in a "pile of parts" stage..It's so motivating to get it back moving again!


Ben in Austin
1950 F1

 

Congrats Indy on your first drive since 1975! What's the history of this truck. Sounds like it has been in the family for awhile.

I am glad you got that good lookin grille on the truck!

I have a cousin. In Danville. He is a Ford car guy.i don't know how big Danville is but his name is Warren Sherman.

 

AWESOME!!!

 

Very cool!

Later!
Mr. Ed

 

My grandfather bought the truck brand new in 54. This was a farm truck. It only has around 36K miles on it. In 2008 my buddy and I drove back to PA (2 hours northwest of Lock Haven) and brought it back out to Indiana where I have been working on it ever since. A slow process but it is finally drivable.


There is nothing like the grill of a 54! I wouldn't change it for anything!


The fenders and bed were in such bad shape that they were beyond my level of experience to save them so I sold them. I will be picking up a complete bed kit from Hot Rods in Ohio in a couple weeks. The fenders will come later.

 

Yes Indy, I remember your story now. Alot like me buying my grandfather's truck except there was over 103,000 miles on the odometer when I bought it. It wasn't working then so hard to tell how many miles were on it.

Is that the original seat in your truck? I zoomed in on your picture to look at your seat. I noticed that it has the vinyl bolster across the top of the seat back. That is how I got my seat reupholstered. On my still original 55, there is no bolster across the top. So this is another difference between 54's and 55's.

 

It is the original seal cover. I have been looking for one that looks the same. It's usable as is just looks nasty and makes a mess under the seat .

 

I bought NOS 54 seat fabric from a place in Oregon called SMS Auto Fabrics. Their phone number is 503-263-3535, email is info@smsautofabrics.com. It costs a little bit more but I think it is worth it. It was $95 a yard and they said I needed 1.75 yards. My upholsterer said that was right on and he had very little left over.





The red vinyl I bought from Mid-Fifty. The upholsterer provided teh black beading. I would advise you to use the thinnest foam padding you can get as I found that I sit almost too high on the new seat. I got my seat foam from Mid Fifty. They sell 2", 3", and 5". I am not sure if I bought the 2" or 3".