Family Crusier or Keep The F100?

My Little Bro is torn between keeping his 56 F100 or looking for the family cruiser. The pickup being a two-seater isnt very family friendly, and with a 3 year old who likes going for rides doesn't help. Tough part is the truck is pretty nice and would hate to see it go. Smart bet is to get another car and keep the truck but if that isnt in the cards, what do you do? He really likes long roofs and the old shoeboxes but in our neck of the woods, you don't see many around here people want to part with. If you fellas have any advice or are dying for an f100 and have a sweet family cruiser near Ohio, shoot me a PM.

Les

 

Gotta say, that's great looking truck, but building memories with your kids in a vintage car (regardless of the roof length) is something that your little brother will treasure much more in the end.

 

I'm in the same boat...er...truck. I have a '61 F100 daily driver that I really should trade for a longroof, but I love driving that old tractor and can't get myself to do it.

 

Day after my daughter was born I traded my Mustang for a '56 F100 and a Harley in a box. That was what she came home from the hospital in. Back then child seats were not required but it was our only form of transportation.

its all just a matter of perspective I guess, but we got by just fine and wouldn't trade the memories for the world.

We live in a world where fun requires creature comforts. What a shame.

If I had a long roof I'd trade your lil bro in a heart beat. There are probably some things I would change about the truck but its a real nice truck from where I sit he shouldn't have any problems loosing it.

Good luck

 

If he likes the truck and gets rid of it, he will always regret it. I regret selling several vehicles. When I was in a similar sit many years ago, I chose a newer Pinto over my grandmothers 63 Falcon. Still kickin myself.

 

I grew up riding on the bench set between my folks in a 53 F-100. I was an only kid, so space wasn't really a problem. When I got older, We had a family friend who went to most of the same events we did by himself, so I started to ride with him a lot. If your brothers planning on more kids, it will get tight. Unless he can talk YOU into hauling the kids....

 

Keep the truck and find a deal....I think if you look you will be able to find a 4 dor no problem, I got mine for 1200$ and after a bit of tinkerin round, I trust it more then my newer truck!

 

Does he really NEED to get rid of the Effie to get a long roof? If it were me, I'd keep the Effie, and buy a late model wagon to haul the sprouts around in. I'd go for something like a Magnum R/T, just to keep the daily ride to school interesting. Heck, you could probably find a mid- '60's cheap-o beater wagon for a couple of grand, if you steered clear of the 'desireable' makes and models.

 

He's got a modern car for the daily duties, we're talking family cruiser, atleast a backseat he is thinking. He may lean toward keeping it and adding one to the fleet, but hate to let the old ones sit out as he is maxed for garage space. Appreciate the advice, I'll send it on to him. I think if he came across a nice shoebox or 60s wagon done right, the decision wouldn't be so tough.

Les

 

My buddy has a '53 that was his first ride. He now has 2 kids and they both like to ride in it - and they've been in car seats too. They are out of car seats now but they still ride in it and creating memories along the way. There was a time when I was finishing up college and my '57 was the only ride I had. Therefore I had to take my oldest over to in-laws for baby sitting, bundling her up to combat the extensive cold air coming into the cab! Ahh, memories. This looks like a really nice truck and I think it would be a shame to get rid of it unless absolutely necessary. I think 3 will fit just fine for a long time.

 

He could always put a bench seat in the truck until he figures out what he wants to do.

 

Tell him to keep the truck and keep an eye peeled for the lower budget rides that fly low on the radar. 60-63 skylarks are #1 on my agenda if I am in that peridcament. Aluminum engine, IFs, power steering, power brakes, hydraulic convertibles (some) and small enough to not drain his pocket book at the pump.

 

Good advice, nice shot of Hacksaw in your avatar too!

 

A bit off of your question, but here's a trivia question. Do you know why there is a horizontal bar on that Buick hood ornament?

 

So the ring doesn't just fall on the ground.

 

Change the seating to allow at least a third small person. It doesn't have to be a two-seater.

 

He can have my shoebox in a heartbeat, haha. And I deliver!

 

F100s are gold,

I have my share of roadsters, Coupes, more doors and sedans but nothing beats cruisin in an old truck. Plus you can haul firewood and camping gear to the beach.

jmho


.

 

No, they were actually already attached at the bottom. The problem was that when they started putting them on in 1947, thousands were "snapped off" by teenage boys so they could give their girl friends a cool bracelet. This turned out to be a good fix.

 

I just sold off my 53 F100 and bought a longroof. I love the longroof and so does my wife and 3 year old. My son still talks about the truck though and thinks he's going to ride in it some day. Wish I could have both.

 

So let me see if I understand correctly.

1. He currently has a modern car for daily duties and the F100 for "cruising."
2. He doesn't have garage space for another car.
3. Like a lot of us he probably needs that reliable modern car for daily duties.
4. He doesn't want to leave either it or the f100 outside.
5. The F100 isn't big enough to take the whole family along when cruising and he'd really like to be able to do that.
6. He will sorely miss the F100 if he has to sell it.

My advice?

Keep the F100. Get something for family cruising that he can leave outside without feeling guilty about it.

Okay, here's a weird thought. How about an old Jeep like a CJ-5 or maybe even a CJ-3a or CJ-3b if you can find one of those? They don't become uncool when they are beat up, or covered with faded paint, dirt, mud and surface rust. It just gives them "character."

They generally have soft tops which means you can use them in crappy weather if necessary, but the tops can be taken down (or even left at home) for open air cruising if you like. They have backseats. They are a total blast to drive. There's all kinds of parts available for them.

And you can set it up with tall, vintage-looking mud and snow tires for getting around in the snow, too, which could be helpful in Ohio.

Okay, it's not a rod or a custom, but it's a possibility, isn't it?

 

Keep the 56 and put a bench seat in it.

 

Keep the truck and get a cruiser! Do both it's not that hard, com'on we all have more cars than we need anyway. there is a way to do it. I bought a 390 '63 Galaxie four door for $100 once.

 

If you mean "tri-five" shoebox, of steer clear of the Chevys and go for a Pontiac or Olds, or maybe even a Buick. At least where I live, they're way cheaper than the Chevy versions, which is kind of ironic being as they sold for more than the Chevys when new!

If you mean "'49-'51 Ford "- I wish him luck finding a deal on one of those! One of those would make a neat family truckster, though!