Hey all, I'm finally once again an owner of a 1956 F100. I'm a new guy here to the forums, but not to F100s or Fords. I received my Ford blue blood from my gearhead Dad, who could fix anything. I was born and raised in Fresno Ca and heard the names Blackie Gejeian and Bill Vukovich often.







Being born in 1956, the 56 Ford F100 has always been my favorite vehicle and my first F100 was purchased back in 1974. I tried unsuccessfully to buy a worn down 1954 F100 from my uncle in 1973 who had it parked on the family ranch. Damn farmers never want to let loose of anything. I located a rust free 56 F600 maybe, big window cab and front end for $50 and then went looking for a 53-56 F100 to switch cabs onto. I found a roller 55 F100 near Reedley, Ca which was in good condition body and frame wise. The guy wanted $25 for it, so I offered him $20. He refused my offer, so I started packing up the tow bar and tools. He then quickly accepted my $20 purchase.


After towing home the 55, I arrainged storing it at the property behind us, as my 56 stuff was in my folk's garage. I sold the 55 cab and extra parts which paid for all my prior F100 purchases and put some cash in my pocket. I stripped the frame to bare metal, rebuilt the front suspension and drove to Oakland to pick up a dropped axle from Mor Drop. Installed a free 9 inch, $75 toploader and a 390 FE my dad gave me to rebuild.

Got it driveable and used it as my daily driver. Took it once to the North South F100 meet in Visalia, Ca around 1976-77. My longest road trip was 220 miles to UCLA to visit some buddies in College. In 1979 I moved to Bakersfield for a job and had an MG as my daily car. With no place to park the 56, I foolishly sold it. The only pic I have of it is my avatar pic.

Around 1995 I located an 56 F100 in a tow yard with a 351W, C4, 9 inch and a service bed. The tow place owner said it will clean lien sale in a week. I return in a week, buy it for $400 and have it towed to a buddy's body shop where my 1969 Mach 1 is being painted. Unbeknownst to me the shop started some body work on the cab, and removed the service bed. One of the body guys showed some interest in the motor and asked what I was going to do with the 351W. He didn't have a pot to pee in and didn't make much at the shop so I gave him the engine and trans.

Life got in the way the next 10-12 years with 2 divorces, 5 moves and 3 different jobs. I ended up giving the 56 to my body shop buddy. I ended up back at my original house where I had built an attached shop in 2002. The last several years I've been getting my 69 Mach 1 back on the road.

While watching a TV show the other night I saw a 56 F100 build and thought I sure could use another 56. So I called my buddy to whom I gave the pick up to and asked if he still had it and if so would he sell it to me. He says, if you gave it to me how could I sell it to you? Perfect.

I'll drag it home soon but don''t have a timeline on starting on it. I originally planned on putting in a 460 I have, but I'm torn between it or an FE, or just maybe a 292/312? A Crown Vic front susp sure looks enticing, but a dropped axle sure has a cool factor. Decisions, decisions.

Bob

 

Welcome to the forum and we hope you enjoy your time here. We have a great group to answer questions and help with problems. We look forwards to your questions and input.

Look in your states chapter and talk with your neighbors.

Looks like a good project truck.

Rod