As a teenager in the early ’50s Chuck purchased his first car, a ’42 Chevrolet Army car for $75. He knew it had a cracked block, but it was a car and that was all that mattered to the young teen. Chuck remembers his father saying, “Keep your eyes on the temperature gauge, check the water, and always have a bottle of stop leak with you.” If only Chuck had followed his father’s advice he would have been OK. Chuck credits the constant repair of that first car for starting his life-long hobby—hot rodding.
It didn’t take long for teen Chuck to figure out that he aspired to drive a ’56 Ford F-100. In the late ’50s Chuck was limited on funds and realized that if he truly wanted something he had to work hard for it. When he told his dad about his goal, his dad responded, “If you want it, you can do it.” Those words stuck by Chuck and at age 16, he worked two jobs, saved his money, and in 1956 saved enough money to purchase a new Ford truck. He chose a yellow F-100 with a straight six, and like most of the young hot-rodders back then, he polished the paint and cruised to the drive-ins on weekends.
With his teen years behind him, his life had moved in a new direction. He met his wife and was blessed with two great children, but with kids came a huge responsibility and the old, yellow truck had to go. Time passed and Jeff Wester, a friend of Chuck’s, found a great project for him to look at. Chuck was hesitant at first to call the guy because he thought it was a little too much for him to handle. Jeff finally convinced Chuck to call the guy, and a few details needed to be ironed out, but for the most part the truck ran great.
Chuck and Jeff drove to Tuscan, Arizona, from Temecula, California, to look at the ’56. Their eyes must have been locked on the motor because Chuck said when he got it home the paint had more flaws than he originally thought.
Chuck looked passed the paint because the twin turbo 5.4L Ford motor and 4R100 transmission were already installed. The paint was fair but Chuck wanted to make the truck his, so he enlisted help from John Stangl of High Performance Customs in Temecula to install a big back window to match the style of his old, yellow F-100. John also shaved the door handles and installed the remote entry along with a long list of other things. A custom fuel tank was constructed to handle the fuel demands of the 5.4L big block. The previous owner installed a Moser 9-inch Ford rearend with 3:50 gears that Chuck says is a dream to drive on the freeway. When the truck was finished, his friends convinced him to take it to the GNRS in Pomona, California, where he won four awards in his class: Best Truck in Class, Outstanding Engine, Outstanding Interior, and Outstanding Truck. Congrats Chuck. Now go enjoy your beautiful pickup.
CTChuck Waltman
Temecula, CA
1956 Ford F-100Chassis
Frame: Stock
Modifications: Torsion bar front clip
Rearend/Ratio: Ford 9” Moser/3:50
Rear suspension: No Limit 4-link
Rear brakes: Disc
Front suspension: Torsion bar
Front brakes: Disc
Steering box: Rack and pinion
Front wheels: Schott 18x8
Rear wheels: Schott 20x10
Front tires: Continental Extreme DWS 245/40/18
Rear tires: Continental Extreme DWS 295/40/20
Gas tank: Custom aluminum under bed
Drivetrain
Engine: Twin Turbocharged 5.4L 32V Ford
Heads: Ford
Valve covers: Ford
Manifold/Induction: Ford/fuel injection
Ignition: Ford/MSD
Headers: Custom
Exhaust/Mufflers: 3-inch/Flowmaster 40 series
Transmission: 4R100
Modifications: Shift kit
Shifter: ididit
Body
Style: ’56 Ford
Modifications: Shaved
Fenders front/rear: Stock
Hood: Stock
Grille: Stock painted
Bed: Custom Oak
Bodywork and paint by: John Stangl of High Performance Customs in Temecula, CA, and Jim McKay of JM Designs in Temecula, CA
Paint type/Color: PPG/Red
Headlights/Taillights: Stock
Outside mirrors: Stock
Bumpers: Stainless steel
Interior
Dashboard: Stock smoothed
Gauges: Auto Meter
Air conditioning: Vintage Air
Stereo: Alpine
Steering wheel: Billet Specialties
Steering column: ididit
Seats: Stock reupholstered by Armando’s Custom Upholstery
Upholstery by: Armando’s Custom Upholstery of Temecula, CA
Material/Color: Leather/Red
Carpet: Custom