well this is not super exciting but I figured I would share the last couple weeks of me driving all over the PNW like a crazy person. It all started when I saw this 57 F100 short box pickup on CL down in Boise. The owner had it torn half apart and had converted the read end to 4 link and air bags. His pictures and description were vague but after some back and forth I decided it was worthy of a 6 hour drive so went and got it. It still wears its original 1957 Starmist blue paint, and being a short box 57 Custkm Cab makes it kind of the holy grail of this era trucks. I’ve been looking for a nice original 57 SWB for years.... So, the next week I spot a 57 F-100 parts truck on CL (wearing a 58 nose) in the middle of WA up near Canada. It had a good short box frame with 57 vin and title. So I ended up dragging it home. This past Saturday was clear and warm (?) so I decided to do the swap before the snow storm we ended up getting showed up. So here it is, I now have a nice, original paint 57 Short bed pickup as a great blank canvas. If time and money were of no object, I dream of a mean FE and 4 speed in this truck. Time will tell, for now it’s on the back burner This is how I picked the truck up, saving it from frame scrapping hell.... The parts truck I got the next weekend And the swap The pile left over which will be sold
This probably will sound like a broken record but damn, how many of those rare nine inch rearends do you have now, not fair, but good on ya, you worked for them.
Congrats to you Chris! I'd love to see a build thread! My first vehicle was a '57 Ford F-100 shortbox custom cab with the big back window. It had a 312 y-block, glass packs and duels out the sides. My Dad bought it for me from a neighbor down the road for $425 in 1978 when I was 15. I drove that ol' truck in high school and have always wished I'd kept it. One of these days.......... Oh, I'd stick with the y-block, they are great engines. I had a 428 FE and toploader in my '42. It ran great but I sure spent a lot of time a gas stations........
Nice save. I wish I had a nice short box for my 57 project, but they all seem to be on the west coast. Not in WV. I think I saw this on the FB page as well. Looking good. - Matt Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I always liked the '57 better than the '58-'60 with quad headlights. Basically the same truck all those years. Either a Y-block or the later Ford 300 6 cylinder would be good options. Those 300 sixes can develop some stump-pulling torque. Straight ladder-type frame and big engine compartment should allow for just about anything you want to put in it. I'd get it running, safe, and dependable and have fun driving it and not being too worried about scratching the paint to use it as a truck. If it were mine, it would get a 300 6 and overdrive trans from a late model F150, along with a set of helper springs on the back and 6 ply tires so I could load it down with firewood.
Nice, Chris. If I still lived in The Dalles I'd be trailering up to Spokane to buy your 58-59 cast-offs. I want one of those Fridge trucks.
Chris...if you are serious about the FE motor...know that I have a spare block. I live a way off from you...but if you want it...we can figure something out. I am a '57 addict...and proud of it. Equally suffer from FE disease.
I already have a truck to be my truck This 57 I want to make a hot lil hauler. I have a full set of strait 5 spokes in this bolt pattern, and have plans to lower it a little. And then motivate it to do doughnuts on demand
Great looking trucks Chris! I wished I lived closer, I would be honored to relieve you of your parts pile. I love that body style, but don’t see many of them around here. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Did some fun mock up today. Just for looks. No engine and long shackles up front give it the street fighter stance
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