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Fat fender finds
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Folks,
So I have been watching a lot of threads on these mid 50's Fords. Gets the juices flowing on another potential project, someday! In my local travels a couple weeks ago I saw this truck setting with a for sale sign. Today was rainy so I decided to go look at it. Attachment 283972 Attachment 284446 Attachment 283973 Attachment 284447 Attachment 284448 It is a shell, no drive line. I had a good visit with the owner. As we talked he mentioned he had another truck for sale and some parts too. So I took a walk to find this gem #2. Attachment 284449 Attachment 283975 Attachment 284450 Attachment 284451 Attachment 283974 Attachment 284452 Attachment 284453 Attachment 284454 Attachment 284455 Attachment 284456 Attachment 284457 Attachment 284458 Roof and drip rail damaged from aggressive strapping! Attachment 284459 Drivers side not to bad? Attachment 284460 He has most of the sheet metal components for this 55. No drive line components. As I wandered around more, I found this one #3 not in good shape: But the front window might be saved??? I think the roof is not repairable!:) Attachment 284461 Attachment 284462 Also found where old Y-blocks go to rest: Attachment 284463 The results of this excursion. Well I don't own any of this stuff! The 55 is somewhat interesting, But for some reason I like the look of the 56 style! Enough parts that could get a person started/ or in trouble on a old truck project. Comments always welcome. Regards, Chris |
You found some Kool stuff. Better go back and save some of it. |
BJ, folks,
Thanks for taking a look at this old Ford stuff. You guys have a much better Idea of value than I do! Any estimated costs come to mind that would be appropriate? The owner has some prices on the 56 with no bed and the 55 with dented cab and bed sides.I think he might have all the fenders and sheet metal for the 55? Owner also has a 302 with low miles, in a big old junk Merc, that he might let go? I see these are used a lot in these builds. Not sure about what auto transmission it has in the car behind it? It looks to me that you might need all that stuff as a package to even start to build a project? I dont even know what questions to ask about these trucks? What are the biggest issue/ problems? Any clues as to fixing the roof and drip rail on that 55 cab? I have basic metal working skills, but that might challenge m? I assume the fenders, inner fenders, hood, and bed from the 55 could be transplanted around the 56 cab? These trucks are not in great condition, but on the other hand I have seen worse that you folks bring back. The 56 needs cab corners and who knows what else to make it solid. I am on here just enough to know most of the body components like cab corners and floors can be purchased in today's world. Last time that I did a project car was 1977. I had scrounged used parts from all over to put a 55 crown Vic on the road. It was a shoe string,m shade tree build, but I learned a lot and had some fun with the car. Parts were non-existent from suppliers! Dennis Carpenters business was mostly for T birds. ( BTW I did visit his shop way back when at a CVA (Crown Victoria Association) show.) I currently have a tractor (Allis WD45 refurb, clean and paint) project that has me in a head lock! So something like this would be out there a ways. But I like to look and dream too! I like to write and take pictures too!:) Regards, Chris |
Chris, A BIG deal would be titles. You really need the VIN plate and frame to match the titles. That way should you ever want to sell you will be golden. After titles the next issue is Cab & Doors. My best advice is to buy the best cab you can afford. These trucks seem to rust out along the drip rails. The 55’s roof could be a problem. The 56 cab corners could morph to floors and inner cab corners in the rear. All that patch work is time and money. Also check the 56 roof along the drip rails and around and under the front lip. While the bottoms of the doors can be replaced the better the door the less time and money you’ll have to spend on them. 56 doors are getting harder to come by, so beggars can’t be choosers. 53-55 doors are being reproduced but there have been many unhappy with fitment issues. Body parts after the cabs are all reproduced. Hoods tend to rust out on the front lips and hinge blind nuts tend to get stripped. Above the headlight buckets on the front fenders is another place prone to rust. Both fender bottoms where they meet the running boards are another place known to rust out. Like I told a buyer once “It’s not the big stuff that gets ya, it’s all the little stuff that runs into money”. Heater stuff, guage clusters, pop up vent mechanism, door hardware, regulators ya get my drift? The more complete the better. Frame and suspension components can all be rebuilt and or modified to suit your preferences. I personally would get a rolling chassis together and install the cab and see how it rides. Don’t make the mistake I did MANY years ago and paint it first. Needless to say after changing out the running gear there were numerous scratches and dings in my new paint. This is by no means enclusive but it will definitely get you on your way to knowThese trucks seem to rust out along the drip rails. Enjoy the ride!:-X24 |
BJ,
Thanks so much for the advice and details on these trucks. Yes it goes way beyond just wanting one for the 'cool' factor! Lots of work, lots of part, lots of patience, and lots of money. Not necessarily in that order! Yes all that little stuff piles up! I do appreciate your perspective! (Sometimes I do enjoy climbing into the 2015 F250 Super Duty and pushing the Powerstroke!) Regards, Chris |
That slant cab (55) is definitely in contention. The repair on the passenger side of the roof is not a big job for pretty much anyone with a basic knowledge of metalwork. These cabs have some stout metal in them and in areas where there are curves they are fairly easy to work back into shape. I would give it a shot if you are in the market for a project.
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Thanks Charlie! That is a pretty good vote from someone in CA where rust, may not be as much of a issue.
BJ, I had not thought anything about titles and or VIN on the cabs matching the frame! Thanks for that detail. So does any one want to take a shot at what the owner is asking for these? Regards, Chris |
Hey Chris,
Hmmm... I like truck #2. Solid straight cab with a bed with no fenders & a frame. $1200 …. no title it's just parts $800 for a rust free cab, $200 for a frame, $200 for a bed. Might go a bit higher if he has a matching title. Ben in Austin 1950 F1 |
Thanks Ben,
on the 55, The owner has the fenders for the bed and a tailgate and the front inner fenders and the front fenders, and I dont know what else??. I seen them from a distance look to be about 5's on a scale of 10? He wants$ 3k for the 55 with the damaged roof. Seems about $1K too high to me? But I did not make him a offer or attempt to negotiate on any of this stuff! FYI he is asking $1k for the 56 cab frame and front (flamed) clip. Still dreaming on this end!:) Regards, Chris |
Hey Chris,
The roof on the '55 doesn't look too bad. $2K - $3K isn't too bad if he has all the missing sheet metal parts. The big deal is the Title... does he have one for the '55? Honestly all the drivetrain stuff you would probably change out anyway - put in something with a little more go... GIve him an offer - the worst he can say is no... I wouldn't mess with it without a Title. Ben in Austin 1950 F1 |
Ben,
Thanks for the encouragement and suggestions on price. I may talk to him at some point this fall. I have to think about a workshop. I am working in a 2 car garage and dont even have room for my current truck to get in out of the weather! My same thoughts on the upgraded drive line too. Regards, Chris |
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Folks,
I may check with the owner about the titles and see if I can find VIN's on cabs and frames that match too. Also some more looking at parts not shown here and the amount of rust repairs needed too. These are a long way from complete trucks. I think he has another 55 but doesnt want to sell it and it is more of a complete truck I believe from the way he talked. I don't think he has had it running for quite some time. I can do some rust repair and some rough body work. Maybe good enough to make a driver. Looking over threads like Greg Rogers gives me some inspiration to consider this type of project in the future too! Thanks for checking on me. I think my truck of choice would again be the 56 style cab. If I had the funds would it be way ridiculous to consider buying both units, along with as many parts as he has, to maybe ably to piece together a truck someday?? Attachment 283972 Attachment 283974 Regards, Chris |
Well Chris, with your user name you are kind of stuck buying a 56!
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That 56 looks as though it is on a longer frame and would require an 8 foot bed, I'd try and make a package deal on the two of them and as many parts as you can get
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Most of the parts will fit between 53-56 F100s with the exception of the cabs of course. So the more parts the better. Just FYI the hood is slightly different on a 56 (2 bolt/rivet heads near the cowl vent) as are the air deflectors to allow for the headlight buckets to sit deeper with the 56 grill. |
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