'57 Ford F-100During the '40s and '50sFord was known for its long run of popular pickups. But what happened after '56? It seems Ford had a hiccup with its pickups.
In 1955 Chevrolet introduced its Cameo Carrier (model 3124). It featured fiberglass bedside panels that resembled the rear quarter panels of a '55 Bel Air station wagon. To counteract the Chevrolet Cameo pickup, in 1957 Ford introduced the F-100 Styleside pickup, with a full-width bed and straight Styleside side panels instead of the fat, round Stepside fendered beds. Other body changes were a full-width, flat, square hood and straight, flat, vertical front fenders with only a raised outline of the wheelwell. The front A-pillars were sloped forward to suggest forward motion. Opening the cab doors exposed inner steps, ending the era of the running boards. The F-100 Styleside model style was changed in 1961.
Gary Coe, of Portland, Oregon, is one of the largest manufacturers of light/medium-duty tow trucks, rollback flatbeds, and heavy-duty semi-tow trucks in the western United States. He also has a very lucrative towing business. In his younger years Gary was an NHRA drag racer, making 1,320 passes in Comp Eliminator and Pro Stock back in '64-'79.
He wanted to revisit his childhood years, when his dad bought an F-100 Custom Cab Styleside new in 1957. His dad drove that old, ugly '57 everywhere with his mom, sister, and him sitting on the bench seat, which was about as comfortable as a church pew. Gary always volunteered to ride shotgun, where he would sit with his right foot down on the inner doorstep of the cab. During warm weather he cranked down the window, hanging his arm out in the wind, with his hand learning all about aerodynamics.
It just so happened Gary had a '57 F-100 Custom Cab Styleside stuffed in his auction yard as an unclaimed police tow. He had full intentions of restoring the '57 for his dad, but when he told his dad he was going to build a cool truck for him, his dad discouraged him because he was too rough on pickups, hauling brush, gravel, and lumber to the dump. So the '57 sat for 8 months in limbo. The other reason Gary was inspired to choose a '57 was because, being a dedicated Truckin' magazine reader, he noticed that there were already so many '53-'56 Ford F-100's customized to death. How many ways can you customize a '53-'56 Ford F-100?
After building custom cars most of his life Gary knew that what he wanted to accomplish with his '57 was beyond his capabilities. If it was going to be built, it was going to be done right, and the only way he knew it would meet his expectations was if he contacted Steve Frisbie of Steve's Auto Restorations in Portland. Steve is known for his high-quality custom cars and trucks. One thing unique about the '57 was, there was not much to go by as far as ideas for customizing frame, engine/trans, suspension, wheels/tires, body mods, paint, and interior. Let's face it: '57 Ford F-100's have never been a real threat to the '53-'56 Effies. After sketching what Gary wanted done it was obvious this was going to be one bad ride and definitely one-of-a-kind.