Tony Bowling started out with...
Tony Bowling started out with a basket case and brought this F-100 home in pieces. The original body was mostly solid with minor repairs needed to the lower cab corners. The completely stock body was massaged to perfection and painted by the owner. A dropped axle and short and smooth leaf springs from Mid Fifty F-100 Parts get the nose down.
At the tender age of 8 Tony Bowling fell in love but not with the girl next door, rather with the '56 Ford F-100 owned by his neighbor. By the time he was 15 Tony owned his first truck, a '49 Ford F-1 and not long after dragging it home the teenager learned that building a truck on the money generated by a job at the local car wash meant that he would have to gain the skills to do most of it himself. Thanks to his patient older brother Donald, Tony learned about the mechanical aspects of building a truck while knowledgeable friends and family members coached him on bodywork and painting. Rebuilding a variety of rust buckets helped hone his skills as Tony continued to learn by doing.
The small-block 302 Ford has...
The small-block 302 Ford has been punched 0.030-inch over and equipped with Speed Pro pistons, Comp Cams cam, lifters, and roller tipped rockers. A high-volume oil pump, Mallory Unilite distributor, Edelbrock Performer manifold with a Holley carburetor, and Patriot ceramic-coated headers have also been added. Dress-up items include polished rocker covers, Hilborn-style scoop, and a King Chrome alternator.
After graduating from college Tony was able to buy a completely stock, and completely disassembled, '56 F-100. While he now had the truck of his dreams, financial reality dictated that the reconstruction was going to be done without the benefit of hired help. As he explains it, "I spent 3-1/2 years of nights and weekends before I finally got it all back together." With no formal training Tony did all the bodywork then shot the paint on the frame and body in what could be loosely described as a spray booth in his garage made from plastic sheets and a $10 box fan. After all the body and bed panels were coated with two-stage Ford denim blue, the painstaking job of reassembly began with wife, Stacy, lending a hand.
During construction a short list of chores were handed off to others-Larry Weimer built the 302 Ford that replaced the original Y-block, Bobby Reynolds was responsible for the overhauling the C4 automatic trans that backs it up, and Don Smith's Auto Glass and Upholstery stitched up the interior. Other than those exceptions everything on this truck is the result of one man's talents, perseverance, and dedication. This really is an F-100 that as Tony describes it, was built, not bought.
Under the stock bed is a 9-inch...
Under the stock bed is a 9-inch Ford axle with 3.25:1 gears and drum brakes. The truck's tail end was dropped with a combination of another set of short and smooth springs and relocated hangers. Wheels on both ends of the hauler are 17x8 Eagles wrapped with Mastercraft 235/55R17 rubber.
About the only thing this...
About the only thing this truck hauls now are trophies from the assortment of events the Bowling's attend, nonetheless, the bed was treated to new wood and stainless steel rub strips. Tony is proud of the fact his truck is driven to events, and when asked if the truck is trailered, his response is always the same: "trailers are for horses."
When it was introduced in...
When it was introduced in 1956, Ford described the restyled F-100 as having the Leadership Look. The chrome grille that was part of the Custom Cab package was the first on Ford pickups since 1938. Ford produced over 137,000 F-100s in 1956 with a base price around $1,600.
One of the few tasks not tackled...
One of the few tasks not tackled by the owner was the interior. A combination of bisque white and galaxy blue faux leather was used to cover the 60/40 bench seat, door panels, and headliner. Jennifer Reed did the custom embroidery in the seats and door panels.
Inside the cab, stock-style...
Inside the cab, stock-style gauges were retained, as were the original controls, cowl vent handle, and heater. All the electrical components are connected by an owner installed EZ wiring kit. The ididit steering column connects to a Toyota power steering box and there's a Pioneer CD player hidden in the glovebox.
In the rear the stock bumper...
In the rear the stock bumper was moved up and in via modified brackets. Taillights are stock style with added script, and the Ford in the tailgate is chrome while the rest is painted body color. Twin pipes are on the ends of 2-1/2-inch aluminized pipes hooked to turbo mufflers.