How much should a 56 f100 cost, in need of restoration.
Mainly I am only concerned about the body being in good condition and not rust.

Are 351w's easy to find for good prices to drop into a 56?
Where should I check around for engines at? What prices?

Any good websites dealing with f100's, part sales, tech info, or anything else would be appreciated too.

 

The truth is, the truck is worth whatever it is worth to YOU. That's not too helpful so I'll give you a couple of other data points.

I bought a 1956 F-250 a couple of years ago for $1000. Drove it home and all major systems worked more or less. Body needs quite a bit of work but all the original parts are there including the original 272 Y-block.

I am completely restoring it including frame disassembly, grit blasting, painting, systems overhaul, and complete body restore. For me, it was a good deal since I enjoy working on all aspects of "Earl" as my daughter named the truck. If I was buying it as a daily driver, for a hot rod project, or just fixing it up enough to have some fun I might be more interested in the body condition and less interested in the fact that all the original parts were there.

Prices vary from a couple hundred for a partial truck or one in really bad condition up to maybe $1500 or $2000 for a non-restored truck in really good condition. The web sites listed below have some price guidelines and condition descriptions but the most important thing to decide is what parts of the truck you need in good shape for what you plan to do with it.

www.classictruckshop.com/value_guide_manual.asp
www.classictruckshop.com/ford_trucks_value.asp

In Ohio, I have had a hard time finding a truck that doesn't have quite a bit of body rot from all the salt and wet weather we get. A truck with a body in great condition would bring a much higher price here than in California or New Mexico. Shipping a vehicle across the country can be a significant part of the price if you go that way.

Whatever you decide, patience is the most valuable ingredient. Take your time and enjoy the whole adventure of working with an old Ford Truck. As my brother says, those old beasts are really rude and crude compared to a new model but they have a certain charm you can't get from a new car.

Earl

 

Im hoping I can find one here in AZ that doesnt have a rust problem.

 

Boy, everybody would like to go car hunting in Arizona. I've heard the dry air down there really preserves stuff. I even saw on the news the other day that since the airlines aren't doing so well, they fly their planes they don't need down to Arizona(or someplace down there) and store them till they need them again, just because the desert air preserves them so well.

If you are looking for a 351w, your best bet is too find a running car and buy it. I just bought a 79 cougar for $200.00. It will have a matching tranny, and lost of odds and ends you can use on your project.

 

FRANKLIN: your lucky to have found the parts car. I'm also looking but find everthing but right combo. Turned down 85 pu that had a transplanted 460/c6 from 76 Lincoln this week. Have found 2 van's but that's major work to extract unless you cut frame and drop everything out bottom.I don't want all that mess in drive. I 'll keep looking . caddy 53

 

I got a line on a couple of 59 f100's here in the dry desert of Las Vegas. Let me know if you want info on them. e-mail @ hirschi@nevp.com

 

Check out www.midfifty.com they sell project trucks as well as all the parts to fix one up and they are in AZ. You can view the trucks online.

rogerf100
1955 F100

 

>Im hoping I can find one here in AZ that doesnt have a rust
>problem.

hi,

i recently bought a 56, but when i was looking i ran into an individual in payson, az that had a 55. i never it saw but i was about to go to payson to look at it and he was trying to find a digital camera to send me pictures so he may have those taken by now. he told me he didn't see any reason why it couldn't make the trip from payson to tucson.

well to make a short story long i think i still have his e-mail and/or phone number probably the later.

if you want it e-mail me at 56xpresso@***.net.

good luck,
rick

 

FIZ

Keep holding out for the truck with a decent body as long as you can. You can spend thousands more for it and still come out the same in the end. I wish I could follow my own advice. I have learned this lesson too many times. Franklins donor car advice is also sound. You will come out better than doing it piece by piece. If you get the proper donor, you would be surprised how many parts you can use.

Dewayne
53 F100
Homepage http://www.clubfte.com/users/fatfenders/

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 31-Jan-02 AT 09:58 PM (EST)]HEY HIRSHRI -
those 59's pick-ups - they would not happen to be 4x4's??

 

Sorry. No such luck. Just the average garden variety 2wd.

 

If you want to find out how much a classic is worth in various stages of restoration.....check out my web site and then go to the LINK section. There you will find a link that will give you the price of classic trucks.
http://www.48f-1.com

jim