Hello

Just wanted ton introduce myself and ask a few questions.

In highschool everyone wanted a new mustang camaro etc. What I wanted was a 53-56 f100.

Well, years later and I can finally afford a decent one. I'm currently looking for a 56 ford f100.

I already read the 'what to look for in a classic ford truck' articles, and went through the stickies.

My main question though is this: As you all probably know 56 f100s (or any classic trucks) are not all too common and I haven't found one in my area yet, but I have found a few but they're nowhere near me, and it's not practical to drive a day or two just to check a car that may or may not be what I'm looking for.

I know there are inspection and appraisal companies that will go out and check the truck for you but I'm unsure of how accurate or dependable that would be.

Anyone have any experience with this?

What I'm really looking for is a truck in working condition that I can slowly rod to my liking, but that is 'driveable' in the meantime.

Thanks
Ihab


P.S.
I currently live in the Houston area, and would be willing to help anyone with repairs etc. on their truck just to start learning.

 

Ihab;

Welcome to the site. You may be able to solicit the help of FTE members in your area to keep their eyes open, and maybe even take a look at trucks that come up, on your behalf.

If the '56 doesn't materialize, why not step up and get a real truck, say 48-50

Anyway, good luck with your search.

 

Thanks for the welcome tip.

Hopefully I'll be able to find a 56 and not have to resort to looking for a 48-50
I kid I kid. Looking through your pictures, you've got a really nice truck!

 

Welcome. Good luck with your search, I went 1200 miles to buy my F3. If it is right go for it. I do agree with Tip49...you just can't go wrong with a 48-50!

 

Ihab, how far are you willing to go if somebody helps you out with the scouting process? I looked at one not long ago here in kentucky that is a daily driver and would make a good hot rod project. I don't remember a whole lot about it (because I had my heart set on a 48-50 hehe).

 

Unfortunately I wouldn't be able to make it out to Kentucky. Thanks anyway.
I do have my eye on a few but they're all listed online and are pretty far from where I live.
Has anyone used one of those inspection companies? Are they reliable, and is it practical to buy a car without seeing it firsthand after inspection?

 

I have not used an inspection service, but there are more than a few who advertise in Hemmings. I have bought vehicles without physically going to see them, but a seller who is willing to email you pictures of what you want to see, and whose descriptions match the pictures is essential. I would at least go that route before getting an inspection service involved - no sense paying someone to go on a wild goose chase. Another thing to think about is this - when you locate a truck you are interested in, do a search for independent mechanics in that area. Find one, give him a call, and set something up for the owner to take it to the mechanic for an inspection. You will probably pay for a couple of hours of the mechanics time, but you will get a good evaluation of the condition of the vehicle. And getting a vehicle shipped is pretty easy today if you do not have the time or equipment. I have used Uship with good results.

Good luck in your search.

 

None of my projects I've found anywhere near me. I searched for a year almost for a '56, and it was over half a year later that I got it home. I'm in Wyoming, so I tend to have to shop differently than a lot of people.

My advise;

Get pictures. Get a lot of pictures. get pictures of everything. Not two, twenty. Ask for pictures of the corners, inside and out, ask for under it, the brakes, everything.

This will let you see what you need to, it's not the same as seeing it in person but it keeps there from being a miscommunication of definitions, what I consider a little rust, you may consider way too much for example, or vice versa. A guy who is going to be good to work with will do this for you happily, I would suggest once you think it maybe something you are interested to ask for them, if you can get everything at once it's helpful. Asking for a picture of this or that when he has to go out each time and take it for you will make him feel like he's jumping through hoops. Taking and sending one picture 20 times is a hassle, but taking 20 pictures and sending them once is expected on something like this. I mean look at most cars on ebay, whole lot of pictures. It's 2010, everyone has a digital camera, if nothing else in their phone. When someone is unwilling to send a photo it always makes me nervous that they don't really have what they say they do, pictures let you see it for yourself. Even if someone scouts it for you, it's still their opinion of it, good pictures will tell you what you need to know, get them in HQ as well, not made smaller. Lets you zoom in and see things.

If all seems well, and the pictures are great and you go out and check it out... if it doesn't feel right, then pass. Its better to loose a day and gas money than to loose years and a whole lot of money fixing something that wasn't what you really wanted.

 

Welcome to the forums, we have a great group of guys n gals here that can help out with pretty much anything you could need. I would have to say if you find a truck somewhere, see if there is a FTE member somewhere close. Most of the guys n gals here are willing to go give it a look for ya. I don't know if I'd trust a company to go look at something for me, they get paid no matter what you do plus they may not be into these old trucks like our members are...

 

Hello and welcome to FTE.

If he doesn't pop up, send an e-mail to Bill Walford ("WALFORD'S 56") he's close to you and will know where the 56 F-100s are.

 

Thanks.
I'll get in touch with Walford.

 

i can give you the name of a guy { i know it's a long way's to travel } in petersburg illinois that has a 56 with a strong 302 and automatic, volare front clip , late model diff , pretty much all there that's wanting to sell it he has i believe a 54 now . i sold him a set or running board brackets i had extra around here and i've seen it driving past his shop up there before looks fairly solid . let me know and welcome to the nut house .............

 

Hi there-welcome to the board
Mike

 

Thanks for the welcome guys.

I'm currently looking at a 56 in California, trying to get him to send me better pictures.
He's claiming it's a rust free 'California car' but I need pictures to beleive that.

55 f350 does the guy have any pictures of the truck so I can see?

 

Welcome ! Some good advice given here. Especially regarding photos.

I'm not sure about your expectations but I offer a bit of caution regarding Califorina "rust-free". This term generally means that you can have surface rust but nothing rusting through. On an unmolested 54 year old vehicle you should expect some cancer in the common areas. California also has a very long coast with a lot of salty air if the vehicle spent time there. Even high dessert tin which is a very dry climate will exhibit rust nowadays as vehicles get older.

That being said, what us Cali's call rusty, Easterner's call almost show-ready.