Ownership
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,072
Likes: 25
From: San Mateo, CA
Mine's a family truck, bought new in 1956 by my great-grandfather. It was passed down to me in 1994 with no brakes and mismatched bias-ply tires (3 different sizes), but it was all there and virtually rust free.
I put new brakes on it in 1994 and only really started digging into restoring it the past couple years.
The plan is to restore it so that it lasts another four generations, continue to drive and use it, and give it a couple non-stock upgrades here and there to make it safer.
I put new brakes on it in 1994 and only really started digging into restoring it the past couple years.
The plan is to restore it so that it lasts another four generations, continue to drive and use it, and give it a couple non-stock upgrades here and there to make it safer.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,511
Likes: 1
From: peyton, colorado
I bought mine in Feb '05 from a drunk driver who needed $750 to cover court costs. Saw it one day, told him we'd be back the next morning to pay for it and pick it up. After we'd loaded it on the trailer and my buddy was heading out of town with it, the owner was missing. He'd passed out and no one was brave enough to wake him! Alittle over two years working on it, probably two more before it's done.
I'll have the Roast Duck
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,622
Likes: 110
From: Northshore, MN
I'll just cut and paste from my gallery:
this was spring, 2006
so I ended up with a bare frame with front and rear springs, a beam axle, a bare cab with doors (no glass, seat, or steering column), fenders, box sides, tailgate, 2 gas tanks, and a dana 41 rear. last month or so, friend #2 found the front spindles. I wanted to restore, but not finding a flattie, prompted me to follow the original plan....to rod it. It's aptly named "Skeletor" by randyjack, since it's a skeleton of a truck.
As you can see, it needs ALOT of work.
Quick history: Friend 1 bought from the jy 1995. torched it apart to rod it, gave up sold it to friend 2. Sat for several years, til he said I could have it, free. Sure wish it was me who bought it from the jy in 1995, cuz it was complete and runable. Sad part is, I watched friend 1 torch it apart, but it was his, not mine. Redemption to finish the project, I guess. Wish me luck.
so I ended up with a bare frame with front and rear springs, a beam axle, a bare cab with doors (no glass, seat, or steering column), fenders, box sides, tailgate, 2 gas tanks, and a dana 41 rear. last month or so, friend #2 found the front spindles. I wanted to restore, but not finding a flattie, prompted me to follow the original plan....to rod it. It's aptly named "Skeletor" by randyjack, since it's a skeleton of a truck.
As you can see, it needs ALOT of work.
Last edited by havi; Sep 28, 2007 at 08:00 PM.
FTE Legend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 283,910
Likes: 8,368
From: northwestern Ontario
I got my 56 panel and a pickup in August of 99 and later I pick up a cab from a f600, all my efforts have been toward the panel but hope someday to give some attention towards the pickup.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: Spartanburg, SC
You know what I like about this thread? We're all from different regions, different backgrounds, different status in life, but we have one thing in common. We all like ol' Henry's trucks!
Great stories, guys.
45,000 miles on a farm? Now that's one big farm!
Great stories, guys.
45,000 miles on a farm? Now that's one big farm!
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 97,649
Likes: 2,015
From: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
I bought my 56 M100 at a collector auction on Sept.24/2000 after changing my mind 3 or 4 times!
It looked great except for abit of the usual rust in the cab corners and fenders, it was blue, complete and running.
Now it`s slowly going back together stock after a frame off resto, I hope to have it on the road by spring. It maybe not be totally completed but on the road again.
It looked great except for abit of the usual rust in the cab corners and fenders, it was blue, complete and running.
Now it`s slowly going back together stock after a frame off resto, I hope to have it on the road by spring. It maybe not be totally completed but on the road again.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 53
From: Coatesville, PA
I first saw my truck in 1994, covered in dust, bed filled with junk, it had been parked since 1987, My friend the PO had it since 1973. He had hoped to restore. I kept after him, finally last summer we agreed on a price and last October I had it towed home.
It's on the road and I love it!
It's on the road and I love it!
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 874
Likes: 0
From: Ashland, KY
I bought my 51 in Jan. of 07. The PO bought it in 2002 from the original owner's who lived in Al. They used it on a chicken farm from the time it was new. A friend of mine ran a UPS route and seen it setting covered up in his drive way. All you could see was half the rear fenders and the tail gate. All he could tell me about the truck when he called me was it had 3 raised panels on the tail gate and it had FORD wrote in cursive letters. So I knew it was at least a 52 or older truck. I went amd looked at it and couldn't believe the shape it was in, and I knew it wasn't a KY truck b/c it wasn't rusted out. Anyway gave the PO a depsite and picked it up a week later. That was the longest week of my life I believe. I've put 2000 miles on it so far and loved every mile.
Scott B.
1951 F1
239 Flathead V8 3 on the tree
Scott B.
1951 F1
239 Flathead V8 3 on the tree
Clean & Classy
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,656
Likes: 20
From: Riverside CA..
Back in 1999 I was getting a little long in the tooth to be bouncing around in the desert in my 94 landcruiser, so I decided it was time to try again to obtain my dream truck as a teenager. I sold the landcruiser for some "seed" money and bought my 56 from my pool man. As I was told back then, I didn,t make a very good deal.
Things turned out OK and I had an incredible time learning about these trucks and building it with help with the things that I couldn,t handle. Several years into the project I discovered FTE and things moved ahead much quicker thanks to everyones support.
Things turned out OK and I had an incredible time learning about these trucks and building it with help with the things that I couldn,t handle. Several years into the project I discovered FTE and things moved ahead much quicker thanks to everyones support.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,958
Likes: 1
I got mine November 19th of 2005. Tacson found it for me.
Here is the day we picked it up in Sevierville, TN.
http://http://home.centurytel.net/brian_b/56/index2.htm
I am slow too. It has been too much fun driving it to take it apart. Plus it costs money to do the repairs properly (body and paint).
Here is the day we picked it up in Sevierville, TN.
http://http://home.centurytel.net/brian_b/56/index2.htm
I am slow too. It has been too much fun driving it to take it apart. Plus it costs money to do the repairs properly (body and paint).
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 503
Likes: 0
From: Edgewood, NM
I first set eyes on mine in 77 when I was just 3 years old. My uncle purchased it in 76 and stopped driving it in the mid 80's. I purchased it in 2001 for $1.00 Restoration for me has been a slow process with starting a family and all, but she is starting to get worked on more often now that the kids are getting older. I really cant wait for that first drive hopefully this spring 