Hi everyone! I am new to this forum but I would like to share my joy at acquiring a 1956 F100! I plan to have many questions about restoring it but this post is just show and tell to introduce myself and my truck.

To begin with this truck was purchased second hand by my wife's father in 1958 right after he moved his family from Germany. It serverd as the only family vehicle for several years before another auto came along but this was His truck and he drove it all his life to and from work in Stockton California. Sadly my father-in-law passed on about a year and a half ago. However, my brother-in-law agreed to sell the truck to my wife and me for a paultry sum.

We visited my wifes brother this past May and finalized the deal and the only thing I had to do to get it running after sitting for over 2 years was to put in a new battery. Below is a photo of the truck sitting in my BiL's back yard after we moved it out of the garage.



I contracted a auto shipping company to transport the truck to my home in Minnesota and I have done the following so far.
Replaced the shocks
Replaced the stoplight switch and bled the brakes
Rubbed out all the paint with rubbing compound and the waxed it... and then took the photos below.







It is all original and nothing appears to be missing anywhere. That doesn't mean there aren't issues though... the speedometer is not working and hasn't at least since 2000 and maybe earlier, plus the turn signals are not working either. The tansmission is leaking and probably needs a rebuild with a 100,000+ miles on it. There are some other minor issues like the condition of the paint but most are not not worth mentioning.

Anyhow, thanks for taking a look.

Tom

 

Welcome aboard, Nice clean up job

 

Welcome, and WOW!.. that is a beauty.. A lot of elbow grease in getting thru the old patina.. nice job.

Drove it all his life.. wow..

Neat history too.

Sam

 

Very nice truck. That rubbing compound did a pretty good job of bringing that color back.

 

Welcome aboard.
It looks totally awesome for an original 56!

 

Welcome fatfingers, and congratulations on your "new truck". It looks pretty good right now, and I know you will get a lot of enjoyment out of it.

 

What a great truck. That was the find of a lifetime.

You did a nice job of saving the paint.

Glad to have you with us.

Dave
1956 Ford F-100 panel truck project

 

man do what you have to to get things working then leave her alone !!! that thing is gorgeous !!!!! how many of us { and there are a few on here beleive it or not !} can say to be driving an unmolested beauty like that . !!!!! oh yeah welcome to the crazy house ................

 

preservation should be the focus.... every lil nick or scratch would have a story... congrats! and post other updates!

interior shots?

radio/spotlite.... neet.

tell more about the mirror on drivers side... and bumper

 

Welcome aboard... that is one gorgeous truck. That is incredible.

 

Congrats. Very nice clean up job. I bet with every wrip of the rubbing compound your smile got bigger. I like this truck as is. Please post some pics of the interior and engine area.

 

im with ghall i would fix what needs fixing and leve it alone what a beauty and a survivor not many around that havent been touched but it is your truck doesnt that sound neet its your truck

 

Fatfingers,
Let me add my congrats to you. A unmolested beautiful truck like that deserves a good home. It looks like it found one. I agree with the others and just clean it up and rebuild the tranny.
Nice truck, enjoy all the thumbs up your going to get.
Welcome to the Party...
Jeff

 

Awesome ride man!! Welcome here to the "Henry Ford Clinic"

 

fatfingers,
Another "Welcome" and "Congratulations" as that looks like a nice solid truck. Knowing the history and family ties makes it even better.
Good Luck!