Generation 2
1956 Ford F-100: Wraparound Windshield, 312 V8 & Specs
Published by fordf100s.com · Last updated
| General Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 110 in |
| Curb Weight | 3,360 lbs |
| Body Styles | pickup, panel |
| Original MSRP | $1,639 |
| Engine Options | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | Displacement | Horsepower | Type |
| 223 Mileage Maker Six | 223 ci | 133 hp | inline-6 |
| 272 Y-Block V8 | 272 ci | 173 hp | ohv-v8 |
| 312 Y-Block V8 | 312 ci | 245 hp | ohv-v8 |
| Available Transmissions |
|---|
| 3-speed manual |
| 3-speed manual with overdrive |
| Ford-O-Matic automatic |
The Final Second-Generation F-100
The 1956 Ford F-100 represented the culmination of everything Ford had learned since launching the second-generation truck in 1953. As the last year of this generation, the 1956 received the most significant visual and mechanical updates since the platform’s debut, resulting in what many enthusiasts consider the most desirable of the four-year run.
Wraparound Windshield
The most immediately visible change for 1956 was the introduction of a wraparound windshield. Borrowing a styling cue that had become fashionable in Ford’s passenger car line, the new windshield dramatically improved forward and peripheral visibility while giving the cab a more modern, open feel. The wraparound glass was a genuine departure from the flat windshield used from 1953 through 1955 and remains one of the most recognizable features of the 1956 F-100.
12-Volt Electrical System
Underneath the skin, Ford made a critical infrastructure change by upgrading from a 6-volt to a 12-volt electrical system. This was not a glamorous update, but it was enormously practical. The 12-volt system provided more reliable starting, brighter headlights, and a stronger electrical foundation for accessories. For modern owners, the 12-volt system is a significant advantage, as it eliminates one of the most common upgrades performed on earlier second-generation trucks.
Engine Lineup
The 223 cubic-inch Mileage Maker Six continued as the standard engine with 133 horsepower. The 272 Y-block V8 returned with a bump to 173 horsepower, providing strong performance for the majority of V8 buyers. Late in the model year, Ford made the 312 cubic-inch Y-block V8 available, producing up to 245 horsepower in its highest-output configuration. The 312 was a serious performance engine that gave the 1956 F-100 acceleration that would have been unthinkable just three years earlier.
Custom Cab and Trim
Ford introduced the Custom Cab trim level for 1956, offering buyers a more refined interior with upgraded upholstery, additional chrome trim, and a generally more finished appearance. The Custom Cab package acknowledged that a growing number of F-100 buyers were choosing the truck as personal transportation, not just a work vehicle. A redesigned grille and updated exterior trim pieces further distinguished the 1956 from its predecessors.
Last of the Line
As the final year of the second generation, the 1956 F-100 holds a special place among collectors. Last-year trucks, like first-year trucks, tend to carry a premium in the market. The 1956 has additional advantages: the 12-volt electrical system makes it the most practical second-generation truck for regular driving, the wraparound windshield gives it arguably the best looks of the generation, and the availability of the 312 V8 means it can be equipped with genuine factory power (see the engine compatibility guide for every factory and swap option). Clean, well-documented 1956 F-100s — particularly those with the Custom Cab package or the 312 V8 — are among the most sought-after second-generation trucks. The 1956 stands as the most complete expression of Ford’s second-generation truck vision, combining refined styling with the strongest mechanical package of the four-year run.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What changed in the 1956 Ford F-100?
For the 1956 model year, notable changes included: undefined As the final year of the second-generation F-100, the 1956 Ford F100 built on the prior year while setting up what came next in the 1953-1956 run.
What makes the 1956 Ford F100 the last year of its generation?
The 1956 Ford F-100 closed out the second-generation F-100 (1953-1956). Final-year trucks represent the most fully developed version of the generation, with 4 years of refinement. The 1956 specifically is marked by undefined After 1956, Ford moved to an entirely new design for the following generation.
What engines were available in the 1956 Ford F-100?
The 1956 Ford F-100 offered 3 engine options: 223 Mileage Maker Six (223 ci, 133 hp); 272 Y-Block V8 (272 ci, 173 hp); 312 Y-Block V8 (312 ci, 245 hp). The lineup drew from Ford’s OHV Y-block, Ford’s inline-six. The strongest available was the 312 Y-Block V8 at 245 horsepower, while the base engine was the 223 Mileage Maker Six at 133 horsepower. Transmission choices were 3-speed manual, 3-speed manual with overdrive, Ford-O-Matic automatic.
What does a 1956 Ford F100 weigh and measure?
The 1956 Ford F-100 had a wheelbase of 110 in and a curb weight of 3,360 lbs. Factory body styles included pickup and panel. It was part of the second-generation F-100 (1953-1956), a generation defined by the debut of the F-100 nameplate and the Y-block OHV V8.
What should I look for when buying a 1956 Ford F100?
Focus your inspection on the 1956-specific items: undefined With 3 factory engine options spanning 133 to 245 horsepower, verifying that a specific 1956 truck has its original engine matters more for value than for most years before or after. Production figures for 1956 are harder to pin down than for later years, which makes originality documentation especially important. Prioritize trucks with documented history over cosmetic presentation — a clean 1956 with receipts beats a repainted example with an unknown past.