There is a '56 F-100 for sale on ebay that states the following:
"Extremely rare 1956 Ford F-100 Pickup. Only about 500 were made with a padded dashboard and 4000 with a "big back window." Restoration approximately 9 years old."

I know Ford began their safety features in 1956: optional seat belts, more secure door locks, a safer steering wheel, all called their Life Guard advances, I think. I think Ford cars had padded dashes but I have read no where that trucks did. Is this guy just misinformed?

'56 experts please advise,
thanks, abe

 

Here's the ebay item number: 4610264660

sorry, abe
it is a nice looking truck!
BTW did you see the really good looking '54 F-600 for sale, Wow!

 

Also curious, I emailed the seller for pics but the seller is not the owner and no other pics are available.

 

Never heard of one for a 56... Although I'm guessing by the fact that he actually knows how many were made, and by how that truck is done up, that it was added.

 

Abe, the dealer brochure I've got goes into a fair amount of detail on the comfort and safety features of the 56 trucks as well as all the options available. I can't find the padded dash anywhere in the brochure. Now, that doesn't mean the seller is incorrect, but it does make me wonder.

I'm also curious where the information on how many were made came from. That's pretty good information and it would be nice to see what other data the same source has on the 56 trucks.

 

The 56 Ford cars had the safety package optional, with the padded dash and visors.
The cars also had the deep dish steering wheel as a leaning towards safety.
I have an old video which said that these features were introduced only on the cars.

 

Not much info or pix. Looks good from outside, but you'd think they would have better and more pix and details. If the seller is selling with the owners permission why wouldn't he be able to get more pix? Anyone ask if it can be seen/inspected/test driven? It should be easy to tell if the dash padding is OEM, it would be one piece molded, not sewn over padding. The material used in that era would dry out and split badly from the sun I'd be surprised if it was actually made OEM with a padded dash and used in orange groves it would have survived. Anyone able to verify his BBW production figure?

 

In 1980 Hot Rod magazine did an article on the famous Big Window 56 pickups. They stated that approx. 6200 bbw's were produced and they estimated that HALF were in exsistance at time of the article (3100) This article didnt specify F100's only as I remember

I also have an article from cars and parts that says there were only 600 F100 BBW's produced, I feel that this # is way low.

We will never know as with the repro back section there will eventually be more BBW's now than there was when they were new.

I have a large amout of factory photos and lit and NO WHERE does it state anything about the padded dash.

ONE more note, In 1956 a dealership in Denver CO was taking NEW 56's and customizing them and I know from my documation of the "Bob Jones Skyliner Ford" pickups that they had custom interiors installed, drop axles, 272's pulled out and 312's with the power pack options installed, dualls with exhaust stacks, all the Bob jones specials had the hood bird, spot light and any other factory items installed. They also installed FOX CRAFT fender skirts on the trucks ( I LOVE THE SKIRTS) They were really fancy back in their day. I have personally spoke to a person who owned several of these trucks. Two of which were consecutive in serial #'s

The Dec. 1956 Hot rod shows pics of all this.

Kevin Bigwin

 

I agree with AX on this, why can't he get more pics? someone took those pics, and besides that if it did have a rare padded dash you would think no matter what the condition of it was he would of supplied a pic showing it.

 

I read that out of 127,581 1956 fords made, that 14,023 were panel's, 6,200 were BBW, and 107,358 were SBW. I have never heard of a Padded Dash in the Trucks-Does not mean that he has not had one made, But I think if they had been produced that someone here on FTE would have heard of them.

Kyle

 

Just as I thought, I have seen the '56 dealer catalog tht George has and have not seen any lit about a padded dash.

I don't think the seller is being dishonest on purpose, I think someone told him and he thinks it is factual. Buyer beware!

abe

 

It looks like he has added more pictures.It looks like a nice truck.

 

I know this is a REALLY OLD THREAD! ......... BUT, I purchased a price book a few weeks ago and it has in there 2 different "safety packages" for the F series trucks.


Safety package "A" Padded INst panel, and sunvisors (cost was $20.00)
Safety package "B" Padded Inst. panel, sun visors, and 2 front safety seat belts (cost was $30.00)


Its the first time I have EVER seen anything in print. It says all models exc Cowl

 

How did you ever dig up this old thread!? Was it specifed that Safety Package 'A' and 'B' for trucks? Your cover page says cars and trucks....

 

Yes it was in the truck section