Just when you thought you've seen the most beautiful '53-'56 Ford F-100 known to man, you discover another favorite. That was the case with Steve and Becki Haessly's red '56 Ford F-100, named "Hot Blooded." As you proceed to salivate while viewing the images on the following pages, it will be hard to disagree that this is probably the sweetest '56 you have laid your eyes on.
The 2 1/2-year journey started with the TCI tubular steel frame. Up front, Steve used a Mustang II IFS polishe stainless front end with 2-inch drop spindles. All American coilover shocks suspend and dampen the front end action, while a 1-inch sway bar flattens out the corners. Meanwhile, a UniSteer power steering rack allows for effortless left and right driver directional inputs. Next, Wilwood 15-inch directional slotted and cross-drilled rotors, with polished dual-piston calipers at all four corners bring the Ford to a screaming halt. The Wilwood brake calipers are linked from the solid brake lines with stainless steel braided lines. A pair of Boyd Coddington Crown Jewel polished billet aluminum 18x8-inch wheels with BFGoodrich g-Force radial T/A 235/50ZR18 rubber roll the front half. A Winters 9-inch rearend was stuffed with Richmond 3.25 gears and spins a pair of 20x12-inch Boyd Crown Jewel wheels encased in 295/50ZR20 BFG meats. The rearend is controlled by a four-link suspension with a diagonal bar and suspended with a pair of All American coil shocks. A custom aluminum 18-gallon fuel tank was located inboard of the left running board.