1955 Ford F-100 Pick-up

The 1955 Ford F-100. Affectionately known as an “Effie” amongst Ford truck lovers. Iconic. A combination of comfort and utility have won the 1955 Ford F-100 pickup a legion of fans.

Most of the news coming out of Ford Motor Company in 1955 centered on the redesigned car line and the introduction of a new sporty personal car named Thunderbird. As for trucks, changes were kept to a minimum, with little to note besides revised grille and exterior trim pieces.

Yet another change to grille design differentiated the 1955 Ford trucks from the 1954s. The vertical guards were dropped in favor of a V-shaped dip in the upper bar, which again carried an indicator of a six-cylinder or V-8 engine. Less obvious were the switch to tubeless tires on F-100s and the newly optional power brakes.

Ford went on to note the driver comfort of the roomy new cab, with visibility aided by a curved one-piece windshield and 2,100 square inches of glass.

The 1955 Ford F-100 pickup also had free-breathing woven plastic upholstery, "Counter Shock" seat shock absorbers, and "no-sag" springs -- even the seatback and cushion were independently adjustable.

Ford introduced the Custom Cab option for the 1955 Ford F-100 pickup. Although basically a new name for the 1954 Ford DeLuxe cab, it added 17 amenities, including foam rubber cushions, color-keyed two-tone upholstery, armrests, dual horns, light gray sun visors, side bolsters, kick and door panels, headliner, and sound deadener.

A large Custom Cab emblem was on the doors just below the window, and chrome plating decorated the upper grille bar and drip rail. Further dressing up the 1955 Ford F-100 pickup Custom Cab was a selection of bright new colors and the option of two-toning.

Ford-o-matic transmission, power brakes, and tinted glass had been available on light trucks since 1953, power steering since 1954. So, by 1955, a pickup buyer could order most of the luxuries that were becoming popular on cars. Even so, most pickups were still the basic tough, workaday variety, geared to hauling goods dependably and economically.

The 1955 Ford F-100 pickup kept basic styling cues from the 1953 model, which had been revamped extensively, employing a more modern cab with a lower beltline and car-like pushbutton door handles.

Today, the “Effie” is prized amongst the collector, customizer and hot rod crowd. A full resto or totally tricked out 1955 Ford F-100 will still draw a crowd at any car show or cruise night. They are clearly one of the most beloved pick-up trucks of all time. Love ‘em!