Words and Photos: Gary Rosier
The Ford F-Series was redesigned by Ford for 1953 and was referred to as the second generation pick-up in Ford's lineup. It also got its name expanded from the F1 to the F100, which is still popular today. Jay and Sue Goldberg of Port Orange, Florida own this fine example of a 1953 F100. This truck celebrates the anniversary of the 50th year of Ford trucks and the last year of the Flathead engine. It's powered by a Flathead V-8 (239 cu in.), and the original transmission has been rebuilt ("Three on the Tree") with overdrive.
Jay wanted a little more reliability and "grunt" so he enlisted the help of Early Ford V-8 Sales in Piedmont, South Carolina to build him a peppy power-plant. It features Eldebrock heads with an Offenhauser Intake, a 390 Holley Carb, and Sanderson headers. He modified the oil bath filter to accept a throw away air cleaner. The dual exhaust is run through Smitty Mufflers. Vintage A/C keeps everyone cool and a chromed (12 volt) alternator with a chromed compressor give it a little sparkle!
Jay has worked in the A/C, refrigeration and heating field all his life (over 48 years now).Although he's retired, Jay still works as a part-time Lab Tech at Daytona State College in the HVAC Certification Program. Over 22 years ago now, a fellow worker told him about this '53 that was sitting along-side his home. Jay pestered him to sell it to him and he finally relented - as it was just becoming more and more of a rust-bucket. It was loaded up onto a flatbed and, to Jay's wife's horror, delivered to their home nearby! When she examined it and slammed the door, rust fell off everywhere she said! Parts were not readily available over 20 plus years ago like they are today. Jay hunted through the junk yards, classifieds, etc. acquiring the parts needed to make up his ride. Bodywork began soon after, mostly by Jay and a friend in his one car garage.
Once the bodywork was prepped for paint, another friend painted it a two-tone blue. Next he ordered the red maple truck bed kit and installed that himself. Along with it, a diamond plate rear cargo box was added at this time. Chrome Bumpers, both front and rear were ordered up from LMC and installed with the dress up kit. "Blue dot" tail lights were added as well as headlight eyelids with the "blue-dots" within. Going a step further, a Mustang II front suspension was installed with disc brakes (front only). Power steering and a rack and pinion now insured better drive-ability. All the gauges were upgraded to 12 volt and are original to the truck, except the Sun Pro 8K tach. The interior was upgraded by the Upholstery Man here locally in Port Orange.
The rear end is a stock Dana 60 with 3:90 gears. It rolls on a set of Eagle 15" Alloys, shod with Cooper Cobra 15 inch radials (P235/60R15's). A Sony CD AM/FM with remote, resides in the glove box, and the power antenna was added for the custom touch. Jay recalls his days as a youth, living in Long Island, NY. It was the early 60's and they drag raced from street light to street light. Their hangout was the local burger joints. While this vehicle was never intended to be a race vehicle - it WAS always used to attend various cruises here in Florida. It was built to reflect his taste and a bit of nostalgia from years gone by he says with a grin. Looks like this little "Refugee" has found a pretty good home!