1955 Restoration help
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1955 Restoration help
I have a 1955 Ford F-100 and would like to take it back to factory specific. Here is the vin number: F10D5E42129
Trying to get the following questions answered about this truck for a.a.c.a. judging:
What was the original color of this truck?
The bumpers - were they chrome or painted and the color?
What were the grill & parking light housing color?
The running boards - are they black or the color of the truck?
Hubcaps - chrome or painted. Do you know if they were factory or dealer installed?
Does anyone have a photo of the bracket/support for the air filter?
Need some real help on this one, even if you only have 1 answer.
Trying to get the following questions answered about this truck for a.a.c.a. judging:
What was the original color of this truck?
The bumpers - were they chrome or painted and the color?
What were the grill & parking light housing color?
The running boards - are they black or the color of the truck?
Hubcaps - chrome or painted. Do you know if they were factory or dealer installed?
Does anyone have a photo of the bracket/support for the air filter?
Need some real help on this one, even if you only have 1 answer.
5th Wheeling
Joined: May 2006
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Welcome, I have been restoring to original specs a 55 f-100 for 15 years so can help you with most info. I heartily recommend you go buy a couple of Ford manuals first. I like the "Chassis Parts and Accessories Catalog" as it shows pictures and part numbers. Here are some answers to your questions. Your truck came as Overhead Valve 223 cu. inch engine. It was made in the Edgewater plant. The color code is on the rating plate just under the Gross vehicle weight and here are the codes:
A= Raven Black B=Banner Blue C=Aquatone Blue D=Waterfall Blue E=Snowshoe White G=Sea Sprite Green N=Vermilion U=Meadow Green
Bumpers were painted black I believe.
Grill and parking light frames are white what shade I'm not sure. Wheels are painted Snowshoe white on 55's which is kinda cream colored so I'd match the grill and parking light frames.
Running boards match body color.
Hubcaps chrome.
Get yourself catalogs from several parts places as each one has nifty info thats hard to find. Like the Snowshoe white info on the wheels I found this morning when reading the latest Mid fifties catalog. Be careful what you buy as some repo stuff ain't worth squat.
A= Raven Black B=Banner Blue C=Aquatone Blue D=Waterfall Blue E=Snowshoe White G=Sea Sprite Green N=Vermilion U=Meadow Green
Bumpers were painted black I believe.
Grill and parking light frames are white what shade I'm not sure. Wheels are painted Snowshoe white on 55's which is kinda cream colored so I'd match the grill and parking light frames.
Running boards match body color.
Hubcaps chrome.
Get yourself catalogs from several parts places as each one has nifty info thats hard to find. Like the Snowshoe white info on the wheels I found this morning when reading the latest Mid fifties catalog. Be careful what you buy as some repo stuff ain't worth squat.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 825
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From: Michigan
Grille was Showshoe White. Other above answers are correct.
I believe original hubcaps were a sort of Argent paint, however, have never seen any except on an original Ford Factory pic I have from Ford Photographic. Hard to tell from the sale brochures.
I believe original hubcaps were a sort of Argent paint, however, have never seen any except on an original Ford Factory pic I have from Ford Photographic. Hard to tell from the sale brochures.
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More questions on 55 restoration........
First thanks to you guys and gals for you help on this one. You answered a lot of questions already.
2 more questions........
were the bed board strips and the wood painted or natural?
were the wheel trim rings only a dealer item?
2 more questions........
were the bed board strips and the wood painted or natural?
were the wheel trim rings only a dealer item?
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Do you happen to have a photo you can email me of the bracket/support for the air filter? budsweeds@yahoo.com
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
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From: Poway, Ca.
Here is a link to "Earls World" here on FTE. It's got tons of useful stuff. If you scroll down far enough, there is an excellent paint chip table (with paint codes) - including (you guessed it) Snowshoe White!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Western Massachusetts
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Elder User
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From: Michigan
This is my 55 air cleaner. Not about to take it off as it is a PITA to put on.
The split bracket goes over the bottom flange of the air cleaner and over the top of the carb fastened with the long twist lever.
The split bracket goes over the bottom flange of the air cleaner and over the top of the carb fastened with the long twist lever.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Western Massachusetts
fking1, I was asking about the strap type brace that attaches to the outside of the air cleaner and goes to something on the engine. Maybe yours deosn't use one. My carb on the 223 is different than yours.
Bob
Bob
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Quickie on data plate information. Getting different ways of reading the information. I am told, (since I do not have the plate in my possesion? that there is a second line on this plate that has the color as being X. Can that be right? This is also stamped on the frame. That is Regatta Blue. I only show that being a Ford car color for 55. Could this truck have been originally produced in Canada or been a custom paint job or because it is a 6 cylinder?
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Michigan
There was no X color code in 1955 Truck. Also, no Regatta Blue. I am not sure about cars, but the 55 Ford color chart I have shows neither.
The color code was not stamped on the frame by the factory. Special paint had an SS code. 6cyl has no effect on color. A Canadian truck would use the same codes as US except for the assembly plant code letter.
The color code was not stamped on the frame by the factory. Special paint had an SS code. 6cyl has no effect on color. A Canadian truck would use the same codes as US except for the assembly plant code letter.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Central PA
hubcaps and bed
Yes, the original hubcaps for '53-'56 were painted argent. The Ford letters were painted red. This was because of the Korean War going on in 1953. Look in my hubcaps here. 
The rims for 1954 were painted body color.
Look at this 1955 at the Carlisle truck Show, spot on stock:
Notice the rim color. notice the stock mirrors, also.
The bed: after some research and a thread on this forum I am sure that the beds were painted the body color. The wood was Northern Yellow Pine. I have seen color pics of new beds that were the truck's body color.
Good luck on your restoration. It is good to see another stocker!
Look at this 1955 at the Carlisle truck Show, spot on stock:
Notice the rim color. notice the stock mirrors, also.
The bed: after some research and a thread on this forum I am sure that the beds were painted the body color. The wood was Northern Yellow Pine. I have seen color pics of new beds that were the truck's body color.
Good luck on your restoration. It is good to see another stocker!
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1955 data plate
I went to look at the data plate today and it is a bit confusing. It reads:
Serial number: F10D5E42129 G.V.W: 5000 110 109 3600
Trans: 3 STD. Rear Axle: 3.92 Color: X 30F 408
Where is the color X coming from? There was also something unusual about the plate. When it was removed from the truck a color shade of blue was actually painted on the back of it. Looks like waterfall blue. I can send any of your guys or gals a photo of the front and back for verification. Thanks again for the help. If you have the air cleaner bracket photo for a 6 cylinder that shows the strap for location that would also be a big help.
Serial number: F10D5E42129 G.V.W: 5000 110 109 3600
Trans: 3 STD. Rear Axle: 3.92 Color: X 30F 408
Where is the color X coming from? There was also something unusual about the plate. When it was removed from the truck a color shade of blue was actually painted on the back of it. Looks like waterfall blue. I can send any of your guys or gals a photo of the front and back for verification. Thanks again for the help. If you have the air cleaner bracket photo for a 6 cylinder that shows the strap for location that would also be a big help.