Welcome fatfingers! Nice ride. I like the late model trucks too. Like everyone has said, drive the wheels off it. A truck like that needs to be on the road.

Gil

 

I would leave the paint alone. Fix the mechanical stuff and drive the heck out of it if I were you. I think that keeping it in the family is wonderful. Take care of it.

 

Welcome - and what a great truck. You are a lucky man !

 

I would love to have it---keep it and keep it the way it is....fix only what mechanicals it needs. Believe me--there are not alot of original trucks out there,and the restored ones are 45,000 buckaroos and getting higher. I have a love affair with the 56F series and you will love this truck,too--especially with all the memories---WELCOME TO THE BEST FORD TRUCK ADVICE ON THE PLANET!!! Bill

 

Great truck! I have a friend whos story is very much like yours. Enjoy--lots.

 

Great truck. With age, I am coming to realize that having a nice show truck / trophy getter is great, but having a truck like yours that is mechanically sound and a nice driver, that you will probably drive a lot more, is a rewarding feeling when you are out and get a lot of attention no matter where you go and what you are doing. Also being a family truck, you probably get to rehash old memories everytime you drive it. Personally,
if I had to choose, I would take your truck over a best of show truck from a big event. Good luck!

 

Great Score and a Great History to go with it!
As George Thorogood once said..." Leave this-one Alone"

 

Welcome to the fat fender clinic, what a great truck and you get to enjoy it now unlike most of us that it has taken years for that to happen.

 

Welcome to FTE fatfingers. You have a great looking truck with a lot of good history. Enjoy!

 

nice truck, i like the paint fine just the way it is...........

 

Welcome, most of us had to settle for a truck that has been altered and cut up by several previous owners. Nice find! However, I am sincing that you really don't want to keep it, so just sell it to me! Jag

 

What a nice truck you now have. I would leave it the way it is and drive it. Its a real WOW the before and after pic. You will be happy to know that theres always someone here that can answer your question. Good luck!

 

That's a great looking truck. I'd fix the mechanical issues that needs to be addressed, then leave it alone. Original, untouched trucks are getting harder and harder to find, especially ones in that kind of condition and with so much family history. Welcome to FTE, and that truck rocks!

 

A drivers dream come true.You don't find too many like that.Treat her kindly and it will repay you well.

 

Geeeze yall really know how to make a guy feel good. I tend to agree with you all that the mechanical stuff is the imprtant part for now. Believe me when I tell you that I am just itcing to drive more than I have. I will be sure to get some pics of the interior and engine compartment posted soon.

My favorite part of the truck believe it or not is the rear bumper because it is so unusual. I have never seen anything like it on any pictures of mid-fifties Ford trucks. I am pretty sure it has been on the Truck since shortly after it was purchased new. I think my truck was originally used as some sort of construction vehicle. My father-in-law had a pair of steel racks that mount in the stake boxes for carring ladders, pipes and such. Another unusual item that came with the Truck is a camper top that is at least the same vintage as when my FiL bought it. Here is a photo for your enjoyment.



...and here is another photo of it when the truck was on the transport after being loaded up in California.



By the way if any of you folks on the forum her live in the Twin Cites area I would love to meet you so I could pick your brains. I have a list of minor things to be done before I trust driving more than around the neighborhood. The most important is getting the speedometer and turn signals working. I also experienced some rather violent steering vibration more than once when going at least 40 mph and hitting a pot hole or bump which I would like to figure out what the cause is. and if I am lucky then the seatbelts I ordered will be in before the weekend and I can get those installed, (I feel naked without one).

Thanks again for all your support and compliments.

Tom