ok i know its not a tach question but its puzzled me for months now

what makes the 56 so much more popular then 53-55 ive tried to figure it out but i have no idea... i see more 56's than others so i dont think its the rarity

 

My personal taste is that I like the vertical pillar and wrap around window better, it also has a longer roof. In '57 they changed all the big fenders and everything, so '56 is the only year with that combo. Personally it just looks better to me, but thats not to say I don't like the 53-55! The '56 also had the big-window option, which when added all together made for a very unique year, bascily the only fender truck with a vertical pillar and wrap around window.

 

I guess it's a matter of personal opinion. I think the 56 is the epitome of the classic truck. The vertical pillars added just enough modern look to it while keeping the fat fendered look. mechanically the 12 volt electrical system is a bonus as well.

Also, 56 was the only year that was unique. The 48-50 were for all intents and purposes the same truck (looks wise with VERY minor differences) same with the 51/52 and 53-55.

There were of course mechanical differences between the related years (for example the introduction of the 215 OHV 6 in the 52).

The 56 was a stand alone year!

 

.....and I personally like the grille better than others.....it sends out the subliminal message: "buy me" .

 

I think it's taste and personal opinion. I love the 48 tru 56 trucks. If one go's down the street I've got to stop what I'm doing to look.

 

My Father had a 56 and it was the ''shop'' truck.....I finally got it....and it took on a life of it's own....I have loved the 56 ever since. At one time this past year I had 8 1956 ford trucks and some other years.....now down to 4 and about enough parts to build 3 more trucks....lol
So it was a family jewel and later on found out it was a 1 year only truck.....so for many ...it is their favorite......but I drive a 53 ''shop'' truck now.....haha

 

As has been noted, the 56 is a unique year model...kinda the transition from the "slant cab" to the "fridge". One of the design "flaws" of the 53-55 slant cabs was the backward tilt of the roofline, it really disrupts the flow of the truck's lines. I have never actually measured the roof angle, it may just be the angle of the drip rails, but whatever the case I think that this is the main feature that puts the slant cabs in second place behind the 56 for me.

 

In 1956 the F100 reached its finest design. ...


Many changes were implemented that make this truck the best of the
'53-56 Ford pickups.


The easiest and quickest way to recognize a '56 is by the cab.

The slant front windshield pillars from '53-55 are gone in favor of a more refined wrap around windshield.


A lot of people call the '53-55 trucks, slant cabs because of the windshield and front cab pillars that slant up to the roof.


This '56-cab design change leads to all kinds of additional changes.


'53-55 slant cab trucks had a triangle shaped vent window to match the slant.

'56 models have, basically a rectangular shaped vent window.

Of course the door windows and division bars are different from slant cab models also.

One other option on the '56 F100 is the big back window truck. There were fewer of these made and they literally had a huge back window!


1956 models have, basically a rectangular shaped vent window.


The front grille & parking light assemblies are unique to '56 models.


The dash gauge area became arched rather than flat as on '53-55 models.


1956 also saw a new 12-volt electrical system.


Vacuum wipers were gone in favor of an electric wiper system.


Rear taillights were the shield type.


The engine line-up consisted of a 223 straight 6 cylinder as well as a 272 V8, though there were 3 versions of the 272 available in '56.


There was a 2V carburetor light duty 272 engines and a 2V carburetor heavy duty 272.


The third variation of the 272 was a 4V carburetor heavy-duty engine.


Just to name a few......
-

 

Sure are a lot of the 56. At the western nats i counted 76 of them at the show. Love the look. Everything mentioned above and I beleive the rear lights were also different on the 56.

How who can tell me if the hood on the 56 is different then the 53 to 55?

 

There seems to be some amount of debate on the differences in the 56 hood. The obvious difference are the two carriage bolts in the back center...the not so obvious is the widths. Those who feel that there are a difference seem to be willing to go to the mat about it, I have never seen any hard facts to substantiate these claims though.

 

There are differences in the hoods? lol glad someone said something...

 

It started out in '56. The truck was a runaway best seller, and Ford did not bring out the '57 until all the dealer orders were filled. This meant that the '56 had almost two full model years of sales.

Most people found that the shape of the cab, the grille and headlamps looked the best of all the trucks including the Chevrolet. Wraparound windshields were all the rage at the time. The big rear window option was also a big hit.

Now, in the aerodynamic age, the slant cabs have the last laugh, as they do not have the "sun visor" catch above the windshield, or the vertical windshield to cause more drag.

I always liked the looks of the '56 better, but I have grown tired of them and now prefer the slant cabs, particularly the '53.

Ford, IMHO, made a big mistake with their replacement for the flathead V-8 as it had less torque than the flathead and no more horsepower until they enlarged the Y-block to 272 inches. Even then it was only moderately successful. by 1958 Ford had a new engine series, the FE with 332 and 352 cubic inches and only the 292 was produced until 1962. The 4 model years for the y block were inordinately short. Some of this was due to comparisons with the Chevrolet V-8 and its phenominal success along with the success of all the OHV GM engines.

Alan

PS there is no difference in the front fenders, or the Hood between '53 and '56..

 

True...56 hoods have the rear center carriage bolts.
I have heard guys say that the best-looking truck ever was the 56 f100........and I agree.

I am starting to like the FRED G. SANFORD truck though......da da da da da dada.....hmmmmmmmm.....oh yes.

 

I like the '56 because it had the Big Back Window which makes it easier to see backing up and few were made. I bought it when I lived in Virginia.

I dislike the '56 because of the Big Back Window because I moved to Arizona where the sun heats the interior.

I like the '56 because you can order double-dark limo glass for the Big Back Window.

I dislike the '56 because the Big Back Window is a real pain to put in with the SS trim and I cracked it during installation.

I dislike the '56 with the Big Back Window because I over paid for it and the guys on this forum have the skills to modify a regular cab and make it a Big Back Window!

 

yeh, I think I'm gonna do that!

Sam