Best looking trucks from the 50s?

I am beginning to develop fantasies of driving an early truck, circa 50s. (Roundyround fenders hood etc. Beautiful sheet metal work. Round headlights)

But I am not familiar with any of these trucks.

What are some memorable ones?

50-54 chevy

/thread

I had a 1952 Dodge one ton. I got broadsided by some old man that ran a light so I put the body on a 1987 3/4 ton Dodge frame. 360, 727, Dana 60 with heat and 12 volts!

I like the looks and stance. Internationals of this era have roomier interieors. Please put up pics of whatever you decide on.

Dan

I take your Chebby and raise you

53 to 56 Ford F100

Chevrolet Cameo:

Probably not the best looking but one of my favorites none the less:

Good luck finding a Cameo, for the same bucketsw of money I'd rather have the Dodge with DeSoto fins.

There were differences from one year to the next, but in general 1950s pickup trucks fall into the following categories, you can check google images for photos.

Chevrolet and GMC

1947-1955 Advanced Design series

1955-1959 Task Force series

Ford

1948-1952 F-series 1st generation

1953-1956 F-series 2nd generation

1957-1960 F-series 3rd generation

Dodge

1948-1953 Pilot House B series

1954-1960 Pilot House C series

International Harvester

1949-1951 L series

1952-1954 R series

1955-1956 S series

1957-1968 A series

Studebaker

I'm not fluent on the different models, but they generally looked the same from 1950-1959

Oops, wrong link in my last one.

http://www.sweptsides.com/main58.htm

Love those forward control jeeps - "flat nose" I call them.

But I may be prejudiced towards the Ferds.

This:

1955- you want the big rear window though.

Dead stock or modified, '53-'56 F100 is the best looking '50s pickup hands down. My father had a nice example back in the '80s that he'd paid $50 for... yellow cab/bed with black fenders paint scheme was stock and so classic.

The two most popular are easily the 47-54 Chevy and 53-56 Ford F-100. The 48-52 F-100 is also pretty sharp.

http://www.seriouswheels.com/1940-1949/1941-1948-Studebaker-Pickup-Green-SA.htm

Power Wagons looked like this from 1946 - 1967 (with some asian versions as late as 1976)

What's the deal with parts availability on the older trucks?

Do they easily accept modern v8 swaps? (Would this take away from the experience?)

What about doing frame swaps? It would be hilarious to have a f100 that was 5.0 swapped with a class 3 hitch.

It's got to be a COE for me

Taiden wrote: What's the deal with parts availability on the older trucks? Do they easily accept modern v8 swaps? (Would this take away from the experience?) What about doing frame swaps? It would be hilarious to have a f100 that was 5.0 swapped with a class 3 hitch.

One can buy a whole Ford in the catalogs. mine is 460/TKO600RR and I love it!

I'm considering buying my dad's '56 Chevy flatbed. I'd immediately do something about the transmission, and likely at least MS the 235 6 cyl. I think anything that makes you want to drive the truck (or car) more is a positive change. These trucks all have solid front axles, abysmally slow steering, and engines that belong in the '50's. There are those that say by driving one, you take a little slower and easier. I agree, but always go back to that first point- if it's going to make you want to hop in and go for a ride, then it's a worthwhile change.

My dad rarely drives his because he hates getting 12mpg, and takes the miata instead for almost all his trips. Side note, he keeps fantasizing about the MGA he sold years ago (hates working on cars btw) and I tell him the Miata is the best MGA he's ever owned.

Taiden wrote: What's the deal with parts availability on the older trucks? Do they easily accept modern v8 swaps? (Would this take away from the experience?) What about doing frame swaps? It would be hilarious to have a f100 that was 5.0 swapped with a class 3 hitch.

For Fords and Chevys there are any number of engine mount kits, suspension upgrades, etc. Many of these parts are bolt on and pretty inexpensive. For the other brands the ready made choices are either slim or non existent so you're on your own. You can even buy full frames ready to bolt in. Body and trim parts are widely available as well, you can even get complete steel bodies for the 1947-1954 Chevys.

The rat rod guys are always swapping old truck bodies onto S-10 chassis, but to me that seems like more work than it's worth since there are so many well engineered upgrades for the stock chassis.

patgizz wrote:

It is as if 3 or 4 accesory catalogs exploded all over that thing at once Way too much IMO

I'm a big Studebaker guy. They have the sleekest lines of the period. - Which can be useful:

It's not from the 50s, but a friend of mine put a 47 International KB-1 body on a 67-72 Chevy truck frame. I helped him put a Mustang II front end and then a 4.8 Vortec in it, so it's got bits of everything in it. And yes, you can find just about any part you want to rebuild an old truck, even an International.

Total sex.

The 50s thing was just a starting point. Anything is fine, as long as it has that look. Knowhatimean?

Which of these would be easiest to find?

It's gotta be a Stude for me. Make mine a 6BT.