TJ: Finding a solid 56 F-100 cheap may be a tall order. As for a 57 Ford, a solid one may seem expensive now, but the collector car market is unlikely to get any cheaper than it is now. Prices have dropped considerably, since the economy went south in 2008..

Paul

Thanks for cluing me on the AOD . I would definitely lean toward the Y , for many reasons after doing a lot of reading up on them thanks to you guys and the sites you provided .

By reasonable price ...a 55-56 pickup in turnkey condition is 25-30 k range ( and up for a show truck ) from what I can see . I haven't seen a 57 hardtop near that unless I want to do a bunch of work .

Honestly ....I'm really liking the 49-50-51 shoeboxes much more than I used to from what I've seen done up ....I'm just thinking out loud here

I agree , the car would bring more $$ than the truck down the road but I'm looking at it as more fun for me rather than an investment .,,,,much to think about , atleast I've made SOME progress

T

Jeez , the old mind is really working tonight .......I could look for a 57 Meteor Rideau 500 ........you guys are going .." a what ??? "

In Canada we used to have Meteor ...looked like a Ford but different trim ( uglier ) ....we also had Mercury and Monarch ( different trim ) ....and to really confuse everyone there was a Pontiac version of the Chevelle called a Beaumont . It was great fun going across the river to Detroit and laying some story how we " customized" our Ford/Merc/Chevy etc ...the B.S. usually worked .

Anyhow ...a 57 Meteor would go for a lot cheaper than a Ford .....I could get Ford grille , sidetrim etc ...you get the idea . It may be a plan ...trouble is , it will probably be a rust bucket being from up here .

T

Tj,

   As Gary said, it's a four speed. First three gears are the same ratios as the C6's 2.40/1.40/1.0 and a overdrive fourth gear of .7. They can be very strong, I had one behind a 351 Windsor in a ford Ranger that would go 11's. Yet was perfectly streetable with the OD. Used it for trips as well as Every day transportation.  

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart)