Customs The first custom F-100 ?

Congrats! Another vote to leave it as is, just preserve it while driving/enjoying it.

 

Wow that truck is awesome! What a great find!!

 

YES!!! exactly!! It does sound like he's gonna keep it original, the only thing id do to it, is loose those radials, put some Firestone wide whites on er, and ditch the truck mirrors for some peep style mirriors. God this truck is bitchin!!

 

Please don't put "peep" mirrors on it. Lose the west coast style truck mirrors , and the canopy.. I know you said the Mor-Drop axle and original wheels were gone, hope you can track them down. If not I'm sure these all can be found on the internet or from right here on The HAMB classifieds. The first version is my favorite.

 

Yes, I plan to remove the canopy and truck mirrors. The original owner put the mirrors on because there isn't a window in the canopy to see out with the rear view mirror from inside the cab. I also plan on mounting Firestone wide whites and then finding an axle. I will have an opportunity for alot of local rodders to see the truck in the next few weeks and I am hoping to track down the original axle if possible. Just gonna be patient for a bit and see what turns up.

 

you would have to be a chevy man to not like that little jewel.
the lites & grille are bitchin.

 

very cool!

 

I will have to keep an eye out for that one.

 

Good job Heath! Fellers this truck could NOT be in better hands. I really like the original version too. Cant wait to see that thing in person.
Take care, John

 

My two cents worth: Mor Drop is still open in Alameda. You can get an axle done by them. Though the turn around time is long and you may be challenged in the quality. There are some guys on the HAMB that drop axles and do them very well. Peep mirrors. Actually in my early FORD FACTORY accessory books, Ford made a peep mirror for the 53-56 trucks. Very minor differences to the current styles. Very hard to find FOMOCO peeps. Drive it and enjoy it and the truck will tell you what to do. Nothing worse than having a famous car on blocks dreaming of the day you will get it finished. Just leave it and have fun with it. Tires and wheels, Yes, loose the camper. Leave the rest alone. Lower yes. It is awesome. If you lower it and put the first version tires and wheels........you have a cross over to version one and version two. Those who know the truck will understand what it is. I knew it when I saw this thread. So cool.

 

Thanks John! I just need to do some minor repairs, such as leaky master cylinder, get tail lights working, etc. Haven't touched it as far as a tune-up. It runs good, sounds good and shifts like butter! Will have to take a drive out your way soon... Heath

 

that is killer. i always liked the Chrysler grilles and lamps, they look natural

 

Thanks for the input and info on Mor-Drop. I have a factory peep mirror on my '56. They are very hard to come by. Not sure if there are any repops, but I'm not so concerned about the mirrors anyway. Just planning to clean it up, do some basic maintenance, make changes as discussed and drive it!

 

Great find dont change a thing.

 

A few more pics.... Engine, window stickers, etc...

 

Window decals...

 

Remember, what ever you choose to do with this pickup that it is a piece of history.
Mike

 

You're right... My immediate plans only include some necessary maintenance, wide whites, and removal of mirrors and canopy. By summer I'd like to get a dropped axle back in it and take steps to preserve the finish so it doesn't deteriorate any further. Also want to put the custom tailgate and original tonneau cover back on and enjoy driving it and showing up at local events.

 

LUCKY!

Damn dude, that's seriously awesome... hope to see this truck in person some day... wanna come over?

 

I second that motion. Getting all sobbed up over a totally worn out paint job is pretty silly when the truck obviously needs to be restored. I'd probably run it next season with the paint that's on it while I did the research to be able to put it back in first rate condition in either it's first or second configuration. I think I have some snapshots that I took of the truck years ago and the paint was pretty tired then.

 

The difference is that it is rare original Tommy The Greek.
Not much of his stuff around anymore. A genuine artifact.
That'd be like sanding off some original Von Dutch and leaving it in a pile on the floor.
Then what, you tell people it -used- to have Tommy The Greek paint?
Anyone can have new/shiney. Few can have the real thing.
It would be different if it was by some random unknown painter. Then I'd say go for it.

 

I DO plan to run it with the paint job "as-is" with mirrors and canopy removed and original tonneau cover on it next season.

 

Just a quick update... I have spent some time doing small repairs such as rebuilding the master cylinder to get this truck roadworthy for the upcoming season. I also found a really nice set of 4 period wide whitewalls that were collecting dust in a friend's shop. They are nearly identical to the ones used on this truck in the late 60's!

Also, I am looking for a Mordrop axle for the truck if anyone has one.

 

I have kept the Custom Cars Annual for 1958 on my table for years because of this truck. It's on page 119 with a Chev Cameo that was painted in similar fashion, but the F100 looks better, even if the Chev has Packard taillights. It has always been my favorite F100 and if I had known it was up here, and available, I'd have been visiting Arlington. It's actually the truck that made me buy my 56. Great to see it up and running again-have fun with it.

 

not gonna suggest what to do to it,but man you did good scoring it and im sure your plans are the right thing to do.i somehow missed this thread.again,you did good.enjoy.