ford o matic
 

hey guys,

I've got a 56 f100 with the factory straight 6 and fordomatic. The older gentleman i purchased the truck from, seemed horrified at the idea that i might want to hot rod it. From searching the interwebz it seems the fordomatic is somewhat rare.....would it be sacrilege to resto-mod this truck?

If so, does the vin show the auto option? Is it an option to sell the original motor/trans, etc. and use the rest of the truck?

Yes! Is my first thought but we need to see pics of it to see how stock and what kind of shape it is in.

And welcome to FTE the best ford truck forum on the world wide web!

Thanks,
Been a member for a long while just never post...

truck is very ruff,
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...717fa40019.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...7255c48bb8.jpg

Does seem to be original, I'll take some more shots when I get a chance. At a friend's right now still on the trailer until I make room for it at home.

Cab floor is gone, roof is bad around drip rails, both lower doors, both front fenders(inner and outer), rear fenders are ruff, no tailgate. All glass is bad.

bed sides could possibly be salvaged, dash isn't terrible. Frame is rusty but no holes. Not really much else good...

My general plan was for a t bird irs, cv front, boxed rails, coyote drivetrain, etc....

I'm not overly interested in an original resto, but I can modify any run of the mill. If this truck is something rare I'd reconsider. Or if the original drivetrain is all that makes it rare, I can save it for someone that's interested.

Just my opinion and worth every penny you have paid for it.
That truck is a great candidate for hot rodding. There are a lot of areas of concern and it will be costly, no matter which way you go.
For me, the 2 speed ford-o-matic is only good for full restoration. Time has treated automatic trannys very well.

I am a stock guy but after seeing the pictures I agree with pbsdaddy. I don't think a Ford-a-matic is that rare or prized in a 56 especially not knowing the condition of the tranny. And it looks like it was mated to a 6 cylinder since there is no V8 emblem on the grille.

I also have a 1956 with an automatic. I got rid of the original boat anchors in favor of a 351W and an AOD. I was able to adapt the original automatic column to the AOD, minus the low gear.

If it had a 292 motor with a Fordomatic, I'd lean more towards a stock restoration. Or at least stock enough to keep the original motor and trans.

Keep that motor and trans even of they are not reused. That automatic trans is fairly rare these days.

Personally, I don't like late model suspensions on old cars or trucks. At that point it's no longer a old car or truck, but, a new car or truck with an old body. Its lost the character of what it originally was. Also, I don't like mods that cannot easily be unbolted, removed, and returned to original.

292 not available in F100/350 until 1957. 1956 V8 would be the 272.

I do believe it was mid year 1958 before the 292 was offered for trucks

You drive any old vehicle on the road you're going to get smiles, chuckles and thumbs up, nobody cares how uncomfortable you are but I do so modernizing the suspension and cabin comfort is on top of my list..