Art & Inspiration MY '57 F100 FRIDGE TRUCK

Howza Folks-

Firstly, I was not in the market for an old truck, but I have always wanted a Ford short bed to have for hauling parts, dump runs, or just to have, ya know?

A week ago Saturday, on a whim, I was perusing FB marketplace when I stumbled upon an ad for a '57 Ford F100 short bed. The truck had a killer patina, was a factory Custom Cab with a 272 and automatic transmission. Heater, gauges, wipers, etc all worked. It was a daily driver and yes, had the typical rust and bumps and bruises a 65 year old pick up would have.

But, it just looked to killer to pass up. And the price of $5,000 added to the intrigue.
So my gal and I drove to Central Oregon and checked it out. The seller was very honest and did not BS me at all. A test drive proved to me it had not started in over a month, but it handled well ( well, as far as 65 year old trucks are concerned), had no play in the wheel and ran very nicely.

Needless to say, I bought it and drove 120 miles to our home in Vancouver, Wa.

My plans are dual exhaust and maybe a lowering down the road, but mainly, I want to drive it and enjoy the hell out of it!

On a side note, we named the pick up Pops after my Dad who passed away just recently.

I think if he was around he would really like it.

Enjoy!

 

That was dirt cheap for one that you can drive home. I would expect that same truck to sell for 2 or 3 times that here in Wisconsin.

 

Sorry about the loss of your father @Spooky
I look forward to seeing the truck about town.

 

You did well, just drive it and enjoy it.

 

Nice truck ,perhaps getting a better front bumper might be advisable!

 

Nice work bringing that one home! Always thought the ‘57 Fridges looked the best.

 

Nice truck. I had a ‘63 same color and patina. It was also a Custom Cab with a 292. Sold it in ‘98 running and driving for a fraction of what I could have got now.
I wasn’t so lucky driving mine home about 60 miles. The radiator blew a seam and couldn’t hold water long enough for more than a few miles at a time. Used up a whole 5 gallon water bottle before I made it home, but I still made it. It was dry with a few miles to go and pinging like crazy. It wouldn’t even shut off when I got home since it was so hot. I had to dump the clutch to kill it. I thought it was done for. I waited a few hours for it to cool of and filled the radiator again. It fired up and ran fine.
That truck couldn’t be killed.

 

Killer shortbed 57!

 

Perfect.
Doesn’t even need paint
Lucky!!!

 

I think '57's are cool also.

 

This Pops would drive that!

 

Too cool!!!

Congratulations!

 

Well done!
Always liked those trucks, but every one I looked at has been in waaaay worse condition and three times what you paid.
Enjoy!

 

In the garage filled with tasty IPA's and Coors Banquet of course!

 

Yup, that’s cool.

 

They charge extra for the rust, huh?

 

'57s are my favorite of the '57-'60 Ford trucks. I wouldn't worry about trying to find a better front bumper. Since it's not a chromed bumper, I'd try to straighten it with some heat and my big pipe wrench. Interesting that with the Custom Cab package it has a painted front bumper--the bumper may have been replaced at some time in the distant past. If I painted it at all, I'd do it with Rustoleum and a brush. Dual exhaust would be a good upgrade and not expensive if you use stock Ford dual exhaust manifolds which aren't hard to find. Every Y-block deserves duals with glass pacs. Duals will help bring out the distinctive Y block sound, give you a little boost in HP and maybe a little better gas mileage.

 

Very cool truck! I’m sure your pops would approve. If you decide to lower it, I actually have all the info on a 60 I lowered but never finished the tech article for that might help. Congrats on something you could drive home and for a decent price!

 

Now you have a truck to drag home more stuff with.

Nice score, -Abone.

 

Nice truck and good score! What size tires/wheels are those? They look tall.

 

Neat truck.

 

Hey NRM,
The tires are 285/75r 16"s. The wheels look like 50's era 16" Ford steelies.

 

Looks good and practical too if you have to haul stuff and look good doing it!Just makes good sense!

 

So . . . This is how far out of the loop I am! What exactly makes a '57 F-100 a "Fridge"? That's some new terminology for me.

And by the way, great find!

 

57-58 came with that bumper no matter what trim level, but they did offer an accessory chrome bumper. I finally found one for my 57 after a while looking for one.
I think up through the late 60's, chrome front bumpers (and all rear bumpers) were an option at an extra cost

 

Straighten that front bumper on a 10 or 20 ton press. NO HEAT, as it is 'treated'. Heat will soften it.
Just set it up on 3/4" plates, and crank it down on the 'high spots'. Easy as pie.
That chrome grille looks great. (were the Fridges' grilles stainless, or chrome plated?)
I still have my '55 F100, also a '52 F1. Both are rust free. (And, both were almost free!)

 

All 57-60 are painted or chromed steel grills. 57's had stainless headlight rings tho

 

Bravo @Spooky !
That is a major score indeed.
To me, the cool 57 Ford's " refrigerator " faced trucks were the best of that time period. Its the single headlights and the grille that really set it apart from other model Ford trucks.
" Everything old, is new again "
Congratulations from Dennis.