Ford F100 of 1954 belongs to the second generation of light trucks F-series, produced from ’53 to ’56. Release of this truck coincided with the 50th anniversary of Ford. In this generation the numerical designations appeared: F100, 250 and 350, indicating the payload capacity of the truck, which remained to this day. As you probably know, the car with the index 100 is designed for a payload of 500 kg.
The F100 54th is notable because it was the year when the new V8 engine was introduced. Also in this generation, Ford pickups got the optional, automatic transmission that Americans love so much.
I saw a second-generation Ford F-Series-based Hot Rod on Jay Leno’s show. I love watching videos of this, the talented TV host and collector. Watching the videos on youtube I noticed that some owners are tuning these pickups and installing significantly more powerful engines than what was installed at the factory. This, along with the brightly colored bodywork, makes the Ford pickup the most attractive vehicle on the road.
I think, such car today creates not less wow effect, than the most expensive supercars from Italy. This is probably the reason, why people buy light trucks of the 50th. Hardly anyone from owners would use such Ford as a prime mover nowadays, in fact there are much newer and more practical pickups. But it is a great car for those who wants to stand out on the road, or in the parking lot. Such a car will suit those wishing to have a unique driving and maintenance experience.
Sale and price 1954 Ford F100.
The cost of quality restored trucks from Ford can go up to $100,000. Of course, the price is fully determined by the technical condition of a particular instance. Those who want to restore the car on their own can buy a car for a couple thousand dollars. Of course, the restoration of such a truck will require a lot of money and time.
Appearance and photo.
On the radiator grille you can see the V8 emblem. This logo says that under the hood of a particular truck is not an inline six, but exactly a V8. This designation reminded me of the Ford Model 18 in the 30s.
Back then, the manufacturer also wanted to emphasize that they had a big V8 engine on their truck. On the side of the cargo area is a Ford lettering. Some F-Series trucks had Ford lettering on the tail lamps. But the logo itself is in the form of a lightning bolt, and I didn’t understand the history of this designation. On the side of the hood you can see it says F100, or another numerical index if the truck had more capacity.
I don’t know if you can see it in the photo, but the door locks are covered with special flaps.
The running boards are very wide here. They are much wider than on any, modern SUV, or pickup truck. Some versions of the F-series were equipped with clearance indicators on the roof. This element gives the truck an even greater resemblance to a truck. In the photo, you can see the two tailpipes of the exhaust system.
With a body length of 4804mm (189.13d), the wheelbase is 2794mm (110d). The cargo side length is 78d, the width is 49d, and the height of the sides is 20.3d. You can notice from the photo that the floor of the cargo area is laid with planking. In some cars, you can see asphalt, or suspension components in the gaps between the boards. The Ford pickup was equipped with 15-inch diameter wheels and 6.7d width.
From the photo, you can see the long gas tank neck, which is closed with a locking plug. Small, round rearview mirrors are attached to the doors. The spare tire is mounted on the outside of the cargo area, which gives the car extra style. The body itself is of course a frame body.
Today, the appearance of this pickup from Ford is the strongest side of this vehicle. The vast majority of today’s owners buy this car because of the style.
Interior and equipment.
The interior of this pickup is made in a minimalist style, which is not surprising, because at one time this car was a workhorse. In the 50’s the time had not yet come when the truck could be used not only for work, but also for a trip to the restaurant, which began to happen in the second half of the 80s.
The second generation Ford F-series was available with only one-row cabin. It used a one-piece couch, no headrests, but it could carry three people. The front panel, as well as the doors had no panelling.
To get into the cabin, one had to stand on a wide step that we mentioned above. The battery was placed under the feet of the passenger. To get to the battery it is necessary to remove a special hatch. At the back, above the rear window there is a light fixture. And given the overall ascetic interior, the plafond alone can be considered an element of comfort.
Today, many owners of 1954 Ford F100 customize the interior of their truck. At the same time the truck gets soft upholstery elements and a modern car stereo. It has a good visibility, which could be useful at auto shows, where there are a lot of cars and people, who need to get around. Not likely to be comfortable for long trips from ocean to ocean, or from south to north, but as we said above, – the essence of this car is something else.
Engine and Specifications 1954 Ford F100.
The base engine for second generation F100 was a 215 cubic inch inline six (3.5 L). This engine was equipped with a cast iron engine head, which in itself indicates a very high durability and reliability. Maximum horsepower is 101 horsepower.
The more powerful six-cylinder engine had a capacity of 223 cubic inches ( 3.7 liters) and 137 horsepower. Six-cylinder cars offered excellent maintainability, as there was plenty of space left over on the sides of the engine compartment.
The 239’s 3.9L V8 produces 101 horsepower at 3,800 rpm. The maximum torque is 240Nm. The engine is called Flathead and has a stroke of 95.25mm and cylinder diameter of 80.96mm. The compression ratio is 6.75:1. The low compression ratio is typical for cars of that time. It allows to use low-octane fuel.
A more powerful V8 called Y-Block also had cubic capacity of 239 cubic inches.
The more powerful V8 called Y-Block also had 239 cubic inches, but this motor developed 130 hp at 4,200 rpm, and 290 Nm of torque at 1,800 rpm. This engine was equipped with Edelbrock carburetor and Holley intake manifold.
The most powerful engine in the 1954 Ford F100 was the 272 cubic inch, 4.5 liter. This Y-block produced 173 horsepower. Of course, in the case of such a car, the main parameter is torque, not power. And to achieve the best torque at the lowest rpm, all V8 F-series trucks have a long stroke.
Of course, the F-series pickups had a leaf-spring suspension. Transmission could be manual or automatic.
It is very stylish vehicle, which is an excellent base for further customization. Ford’s pickup truck can be made in different versions. Being behind the wheel of such a car will always catch the eyes of others. Yes – some people put very powerful engines on F100, but it should be understood that with not too heavy back end of the empty truck, all the power will go to the slip. However, the latter phenomenon can be considered as a plus, in fact, in the first place, today it is a show car, which should make an impression.
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