Forum member (Abe) suggested I post a bit of my history of having 45 years with my 1954 F100. So here is some of my journey with ‘Ol Blue…….

I purchased this truck from a gentleman (Fritz) who bought it from my home town (Santa Barbara) Ford dealer in 1954. As kid I was in love with this truck and Fritz knew I wanted it. When I returned from the Army he offered me the truck for what I thought was a really big price (can’t remember $) but fate prevailed, I had just sold a motorcycle a few days previous and was able to answer on the money, those days I was fairly poor, going to school on the GI bill and working etc. Through the years I’ve thanked my lucky stars for having the foresight to just pay up and not be a hard head.

Truck was super clean but high miles for the era and was worn out. I ran 50wt oil to help check tail pipe smoke so not to get ticketed. Months later I ordered up a ring set and gaskets from JC Whitney (still poor) and got an old Italian neighbor who had an old Sioux valve grinder and lathe to cut the valves, knurl the guides and pistons. I hard honed the taper out of the cylinders and hand filed end gap on a .010 ring set for the stock std. pistons. That motor still ran great when 5 - 6 years later I could fund a proper rebuild.

This truck got me through my wild years, knew all my true loves and dogs. It’s been all over the Rocky’s chasing black tail, mule deer, and quail, annual family camping treks & outings etc. Raised a daughter who once mentioned there was never a time before “Ol Blue. She at about 6 – 7 years old learned to listen to the motor rpm and she would tell me “clutch” and she would work the column shift, took her quite a while to tire of that. For a majority of my adult life a daily driver and my only transportation besides a M/C or wife’s car.

Now I have it in pieces (again) to give it a thorough going over, nose to tail. My daughter who is now 30 wants the truck and I think it is getting near time to hand it off. She is hoping to start a family and would like to keep the tradition going and that gives me some great satisfaction. Blue is truly an integral part of my family. If I remember correctly I purchased it Spring 1979 and at that time it was only a 25 year old truck…..a lifetime ago.

Where Fritz parked about 5 years previous to this photo when I purchased the truck.

Start of family life and blue truck.

Early annual spring fishing - camp trip.

California park.

Daughter and I on a 2 week camping trek.

Truck always in the fore front of family.

Rifle match and week long rendezvous.

The '52 Chevy's was a wedding present to my wife. She loved old "bomb" Chevy's.

 

Cool pictures and story.

 

What an amazing history. Thanks for sharing your story!

 

It's always great to hear stories about family connections with our old trucks. Yours is especially compelling with your daughter's interest and willingness to add new chapters to the story you began so many years ago. You'll have to encourage her to join FTE to keep the narrative alive for all of the sentimentalists among us here. Thanks for sharing.

Jim

 

Thanks for pictures and story.

 

Awesome history and story. Thank you for sharing.

 

Mahoney, thanks for sharing your story and the old pictures. I am also the second owner of my 54. I bought it from my Grandpa in June 1977.

I'm hoping my son will take my truck when I'm ready to give it up.

 

Great story thanks for sharing.

 

Great story and pictures!
I'd like to hear about the flintlock rifles. Original or reproduction? The roman nose stock should be south central PA and the other resembles Tennessee rifles.

 

First of all, Thank You, O'Mahony, for the inspiration to post my story. Like you, my family and I live in California, and I have a history with my F-100 that goes back a ways...51 years to be exact. So, in the "Roll Call" thread I said I would share my story if anyone was interested. Your story has inspired me to do just that. I don't have pictures any more of the beginnings of my journeys with my truck as they were lost during one of the many times I've moved. Anyway, I love your story and I will post mine as soon as I have finished it. Thank you again, and I wish you and yours the best in your life and your continuing story with "Ol' Blue."

 

I apologize for the slow reply to this thread a day or two after making this posting a family emergency popped up which still has me far from home.

I had hesitated hard on such a personal posting but ultimately considered a worthy telling of the life of one of the genre of trucks we all love in one form or another. Positive forum responses make that decision comfortable, so thanks for the reply’s.

Mtflat – one rifle original and one contemporary. You’ve a good eye, the rifle on the right is an original Berk’s Co. rifle and the other is a poor boy, both serious shooters. Kentucky rifles are another rabbit hole of mine.

Abe – cheers to the following generations having love for these trucks !

1956BB I look forward to your posting, 51 years …..WOW and thank you for the kind words.

 

That's what is so cool about these old trucks, they keep making memories. You have inspired me to write something about my old truck I bought back in 83 out in Washington state, drove it from west coast to east coast, Maine to Florida, all original, 223 6cyl. 6volt 1955 F250. You have a beautiful truck and family!

 

55F250, First and foremost, Thank You for your service. Second, I am impressed by your cross country and border to border journeys in a stock six cylinder 3/4 ton '55. I am looking forward to your story post.

 

Thanks 1956BB, wish I had taken pictures, no cellphones back then. Looking back, the only issue I had was while I was in Maine, timken bearings in steering box fell apart and the float in the carburetor developed a leak.

 

It wouldn't be a proper road trip in a classic truck without at least one breakdown.