Although they were never fast or exciting when new, never the stuff of kids' dreams, they were always there, in the background of life. Transporting, hauling, towing, delivering. Working. Long before trucks became leather-lined status symbols with designations like "Denali" or "King Ranch," real trucks endeared themselves as faithful, purposeful companions.
Now these humble trucks have become covetable. Pickups rolled off assembly lines by the millions, but most were run hard and put away wet, just like the horses they replaced. So finding a good vintage truck today is, in many cases, harder than finding good cars of the same era, even though production numbers would lead you to think otherwise.
Among the most desirable of vintage trucks are the 1953–56 Ford F-100s. Effies, as they're called, were the evolution of Ford's postwar F-1 Bonus Built half-ton trucks. Introduced for Ford's golden anniversary in 1953, F-100s were groundbreaking not for what they could haul in their beds but for how they hauled what was in front—people. They were the first trucks designed with ergonomics in mind. Ford invested millions to create its "Driverized" cab, going so far as to use a life-size mannequin known as the Measuring Man. It wasn't just marketing hype; this was a truck with comfort on par with passenger cars of the day. The F-100 also had a much larger greenhouse than its predecessor and a stylish exterior. A milestone vehicle if there ever was one.
Now these humble trucks have become covetable. Pickups rolled off assembly lines by the millions, but most were run hard and put away wet, just like the horses they replaced. So finding a good vintage truck today is, in many cases, harder than finding good cars of the same era, even though production numbers would lead you to think otherwise.
Among the most desirable of vintage trucks are the 1953–56 Ford F-100s. Effies, as they're called, were the evolution of Ford's postwar F-1 Bonus Built half-ton trucks. Introduced for Ford's golden anniversary in 1953, F-100s were groundbreaking not for what they could haul in their beds but for how they hauled what was in front—people. They were the first trucks designed with ergonomics in mind. Ford invested millions to create its "Driverized" cab, going so far as to use a life-size mannequin known as the Measuring Man. It wasn't just marketing hype; this was a truck with comfort on par with passenger cars of the day. The F-100 also had a much larger greenhouse than its predecessor and a stylish exterior. A milestone vehicle if there ever was one.
Today, the best part about these second-gen F-series trucks, aside from their great looks, is their usability: They can operate comfortably at highway speed, with reassuring brakes and surprisingly competent handling, and still feel livable inside, even if they lack King Ranch creature comforts.
The challenge, of course, is finding a good one. "Imma gonna buy that there new pickup and store it away as a collectible," said no truck buyer, ever. So over the years, despite my appreciation for Effies, I never found an example that wasn't hot-rodded beyond recognition, "restored" with no regard to authenticity, or simply treated like a work truck for 60 years.
Until, that is, I stumbled upon this unrestored 1955 F-100 Custom Cab at a local car show and swap meet. It still had its factory power train—a 239-cubic-inch Y-block V-8 paired to a column-shift three-speed manual transmission with optional factory overdrive (a superslick unit, functioning on all gears, with a nifty freewheel feature).
The unrestored interior was flawless. But it had a big plus above all that: Its paint, also original, was Mountain green, a dead ringer for my wife's favorite color. And her birthday was the next day. So, can you guess my excuse for dragging this sweet old F-100 home?
Originality: Unmodified original trucks are exceedingly rare, making them the collector's choice. The values reflect this. Decent but incorrect drivers trade in the $15,000 to $30,000 range, while impressive original or properly restored stock examples have sold for two times that or more and are on the rise.
Guts: A six-cylinder was standard for 1953, and a 239 flathead V-8 was optional. For 1954, Ford's new Y-block eight-cylinder, the company's first modern overhead-valve engine, replaced the flathead as the top engine choice in various displacements. This engine gets a bad rap for oiling-system problems, much of it well deserved. A lack of oil changes will lead to plugged oil galleys that will then starve the top end of oil, literally running the valvetrain dry. An external feed kit was the period fix. Nowadays, Y-block specialists make internal modifications to increase the volume of oil to the top end, and modern detergent oils rarely coke up oil galleys. 1953 was the first year for the optional Fordomatic transmission. A variety of manual transmissions were also available.
Stuff you can hide, if you must: Bolt-on upgrades are abundant and easy to reverse if needed. Electronic ignition, power brakes, better starting and charging systems, radial tires, and the like go a long way toward driving enjoyment without diminishing value.
Vital info: Inside the glove-box door or driver's doorjamb of any F-100 should be a data tag indicating the truck's original color, engine, transmission, and rear-axle ratio. Make sure the tag's serial number matches the one stamped on the truck, as data plates do get changed—sometimes in an effort to deceive.
Easy to restore: Effies, like most old trucks, are as basic as vehicles can get. Almost every part on them is readily available, right down to correct upholstery. Assuming you start with good bones, a restoration of an F-100 can be a fun experience that has a good chance of not leaving you upside down financially.
Pick of the litter: Of the second-gen F-series trucks, the 1956 is by far the most desirable. Its one-year-only styling, particularly its wraparound windshield with vertical pillars, is instantly identifiable. Also, it was the first year for the 12-volt electrical system. As a result, a '56 will carry a 10 to 20 percent premium.
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