The Slicks to me and I think to a lot of people represent an end of an era. The truth is the years they were produced were the end of an era. That era being the 50s or as Time life calls it,
The Rock and Roll Era 1954-1964.
Just as they were the end of an era the Slick Series were also inovative halfway through their run. In the series debuted new engines and technology that would last unchanged in Ford Trucks for nearly the rest of the century.
It is a rare occurrence when something is inovative and obsolete at the same time. Its unique that the Slicks obsolecence, even while in production were matters of looks, which were dated by 64 but were no less elegant. The inovations of 65 were truely ground breaking. So you have in a vehicle the best of the old and the best of the new at the same time. The Slick Series was not sad like the Hudson Hornet. The Hornet was the best of the flatheads, inovative in many ways but sadly, the days of the flathead were over. Nor was it like the Edsel, too much ahead of it's time.
A Slick truck was and is all things to all people. The Slick body series are near perfect mates to the 61-62 Fairlanes and Galaxies so early sixties Ford fans love em.
The flaresides were produced in large numbers. For generations this was the traditional "truck". After the Slick series, flareside production slowed to a crawl, only to be revived again in the early 90s with trucks like the Splash.
For the greasy headed Milner types, like myself, we have the XLF-100. This is another concept we see again in the likes of the Ford Lightning.
For those who appreciate art, the Uni is an example of automotive high art. It was a concept that actually made it into production. Even though it failed, no truck has ever had more style and off the lot good lines like the uni.
If you like "old" trucks pre 65 Slicks are for you. They even smell like old trucks. Wrong beds, unis, flaresides and the stylish 64 are still old trucks with straight axles, and vintage Y and I Block power. Two tone 64-66 chromed out Custom Cabs looks as good as any Mid-50s Fairlane and they can haul a load of wood too.
Campers specials are a Slick for the outdoorsman who loves old trucks.
4x4s, M-4 Sherman Tank meets Slick need I say more.
The 65-66 probably the greatest postwar truck which means the greatest truck period.
For the rodder Slicks are the perfect platform.
For the red wrenchers Slicks relatively are cheap so you can go ahead and install the Yugo front clip and model airplane engine, add 49 inch wheels and slam it.
Take a look at the Gallery or Slickstock. It says a lot about the Series when you find primered Slicks with whitewalls next to the most modern rod job you can imagine, both will look great and both will be the same year.
I can drive it home with one headlight.
Too.
) like that.
