2/21/20 56/100 1956 Ford F-100 Pickup

Nothing sure beats a classic pickup and Matchbox seems to have found a nice one to make in 1997 with this 1956 Ford F-100 pickup.  Despite a hot rod paint scheme introduction, the truck is more stock looking and works quite well in the farming or service industry like this neat Texaco service truck with Jimmy’s Auto Service on the doors, all done in red and looks perfect sitting in a classic Texaco gas station of the 1950’s.   The truck is large, has the separate fender design front and rear, and a sharply detailed grille with V-logo and round headlights with grid pattern.  The rest of the truck has some nice and accurate details from the rounded cab to the rear tailgate with FORD letters and dual taillights, and even a useable bed.  The interior is basic with just a bench seat and steering wheel, while the base does sag low for a working suspension that never materialized with this casting.  During its run, aside from the Matchbox 2000 logo, was a change in 5-spoke wheels and in the 2001 release a short run with a metal base was offered.  The casting has had lots of use, though that did contribute to the tooling starting to decay in the late 2000’s thus calling for a new casting in the form of the 1956 F-100 panel delivery truck that was slightly (if not much) smaller than the pickup.  In 2018 the casting was revived as a new tool with the same details, though the metal bed was half-replaced with the plastic interior piece.  This classic still goes on strong!

Specifications:

· Engine: 256 CID V8 140 hp.

· Transmission: 3-speed manual

· 0-60 mph: 13.0 sec. est.

· Real vehicle price: $3,000 est. 1956

Rating:  4.9 out of 5 stars