56 – 1956 Ford F100

In 1956, the F100 reached its finest design. Many changes were implemented that make this truck the best of the 53-56 Ford pickups. It might be the coolest truck ever built, but that’s my opinion. The easiest and quickest way to recognize a 56 over the 53-55 F100 models is by the cab. The slant front windshield pillars from 53-55 F100 are gone in favor of a more refined wrap around windshield on the 56 F100. A lot of people call the 53-55 trucks “slant cabs” because of the windshield and front cab pillars that slant up to the roof. This 56 cab design change leads to all kinds of additional changes. 53-55 slant cab trucks had a triangle shaped vent window to match the slant. 1956 F100 models have a more rectangular shaped vent window. Of course the door windows and division bars are different from slant cab models also. One of the most sought after options on the 56 F100 is the big back window truck. There were fewer of these made and they literally had a huge back window. The front grille & parking light assemblies are unique to 56 models. Because the headlights are sunken into the buckets on the grille, 56 F100 air deflectors have a dished out area for the headlight bucket to have room. The dash gauge area became arched on the 56 F100, rather than flat as on 53-55 models. 1956 also saw a new 12 volt electrical system. Vacuum wipers were gone in favor of an electric wiper system. Rear tail lights were the shield type. The engine line-up for the 56 F100 consisted of a 223 straight 6 cylinder as well as a 272 V8, though there were 3 versions of the 272 available in 56. There was a 2V carburetor light duty 272 engine and a 2V carburetor heavy duty 272. The third variation of the 272 was a 4V carburetor heavy duty engine.

1994-1955 Ford F100

Few things changed for the 54 F100. Basic changes to the 54 F100 included a redesigned grille and other minor trim changes including a few new paint colors. The most notable change on the 54 F100 occurred in the engine compartment. Flathead V8 engines were gone. Two new overhead valve engines were available. 54 F100 engines were slightly larger. Available engines were: 223 Straight 6, 239 V8 and 256 V8. Otherwise the 1954 F100 was a repeat of the 53. No reason to change much on a great truck!

There were few changes again for the 55 F100 over the 53 and 54. A new grille was designed for the 55 F100 as well as matching chrome parts. Side chrome hood trim became more elaborate rather than the more simple block F100 letters from the 53 and 54. A custom cab option was available on the 55 F100. A custom cab truck came with chrome Custom Cab door emblems. Some paint colors changed for the 55 F100. Engine combinations remained the same on the 54 and 55 F100. All were overhead valve engines. Available engines were: 223 Straight 6, 239 V8 and 256 V8.

1953 Ford F100 Information

1953 was the first year of the F100 and the last year you could get a Flathead in a Ford pickup. The new 53 F100 was uniquely styled with a slant cab window, fat fenders and larger cab space than the F1. 1953 was also the 50th anniversary of the Ford pickup. The horn button on the 53 F100 is unique and displays the anniversary year. Differences were minor when compared with today’s truck options. A fresh air cab option on the 53 F100 was available. Deluxe 53 F100 trucks had 6 chrome teeth mounted in the grille – 3 on each side of the center chrome emblem. Deluxe trucks also had a chrome gull wing on each side of the hood surrounding the chrome 53 F100 emblem.

3 Engine options were available: O.H.V. 6 Cylinder-215 cid, L-Head 6 Cylinder-254 cid and the L-Head 8 Cylinder-239 cid (Flathead). Most 53 F100 trucks came with a 3 speed transmission shifted on the column. V8 trucks had a chrome V8 emblem on the center of the grille while 6 cylinder trucks had a chrome 3 pointed star.

Turn signals were not standard equipment. Seat belts were also not available. Vacuum wipers were used and only worked when you let off of the gas to free up vacuum from the engine to run the wipers. Front suspension was a straight axle with leaf springs. Brakes consisted of a single master cylinder with drum brakes on all 4 corners. These are fine for speeds below 45, but hardly safe on today’s roads.

Most parts on the 53 – 55 F100 trucks are the same or will fit. These years are basically the same except for trim and engine options. The grille on the 53 F100 is unique to that year. Front parking lights are the same on 53 and 54 F100 models, as well as the lower valance that runs below the grille. Gull wing chrome and the F100 hood emblems are the same on 53 and 54 F100 trucks. Taillights were also the same on 53 and 54 models and were the round version rather than the shield shape lights found on the 55 and 56.

The Invention of the Car

Being one of the most significant inventions of the 1920s, the automobile drastically changed the lives of Americans for the better. It helped America and other countries’ transportation.

The first automobile developed with a combustion engine was invented by Henry Ford.  Henry Ford later founded the Ford Motor Company, which was known for its achievements in bringing America its first affordable car, the Model-T. The first automobile was created much earlier, in 1866 by Richard Dudgeon of New York City.  This first car was made with a steam engine.

Over the first few years of the 1920s, the automobile became a hit with everyone, especially young people who wanted freedom and excitement. Soon, almost every household in America owned one. Parents drove to work in their automobiles. Families visited friends and family who lived far away. And young people found a whole new way to have fun.

The automobile also helped American companies and industries.

Many people found it hard to drive on the poor dirt roads and that cars required a lot of fuel (gas) to run. So nation wide road construction took place, which created even more jobs, and strengthened the economy even further.