The Kings of the '56: Why Rods N Mods Won the Goodguys 2026 Award (And Why Your F100 Belongs Here

The 1956 Ford F100 is arguably the most iconic truck ever built. The Big Back Windows, the Fat Custom Fenders, the aggressive grille it is the Holy Grail of American pickups.

But building a '56 "Effie" to a show-winning standard? That is a different story.

These trucks were workhorses, not show ponies. Getting the panel gaps perfect, the stance right, and the modern power to fit requires a level of fabrication that most shops just can't deliver.

At Rods N Mods, the 1956 F100 is our specialty. And this year, the industry took notice.

Award-Winning Quality: The Goodguys 2026 Distinction

We are incredibly proud to announce that Rods N Mods brought home the Goodguys 2026 "Truck of the Year Early" Award (Finalist/Winner).

In the world of hot rodding, a Goodguys award is the Gold Standard. It means the judges looked at every inch of our build from the paint reflection to the chassis welds and decided it was one of the best in the nation. This award validates what we tell our clients every day: We don't cut corners.

Why We Are the F100 Experts

Whether it's our "Quest for 12s" drag truck or a mirror-finish show stopper, we know every bolt on the 1953-1956 F100 platform.

1. The Perfect Stance & Ride We don't just lower trucks; we engineer them. We utilize modern chassis systems (often partnering with leaders like Speedtech Performance) to make these 70-year-old trucks handle like modern sports cars.

2. Powertrain Versatility We build it your way.

• The Purist Hot Rod: We do high-horsepower Coyote and LS swaps that look like factory installs.
• The Future: We are currently building a 1956 Mercury M100 Electric truck. We are one of the few shops in the country with the expertise to electrify a classic F100 without losing its soul.

3. Bodywork Perfection The hood on a '56 is massive. If the bodywork isn't laser-straight, you see every ripple. Our paint and body team (the same crew that polished our '59 Cadillac to a mirror finish) ensures your truck looks flawless under the lights.

Worth the Drive: Serving the Entire Southwest

We are located in St. George, Utah, which puts us in the perfect central hub for the best builds in the West.

• Las Vegas & Southern Utah: We are your local high-end shop. Avoid the generic collision centers and come to a dedicated custom builder.
• California: Many of our clients ship their F100s from SoCal to avoid the insane shop rates and long wait times on the coast. In St. George, you get higher quality for your dollar.
• Salt Lake City: It’s a short drive south to get your truck built by an award-winning team that specializes in your specific vehicle.

Your '56 Deserves the Best

You don't win Goodguys awards by accident. You win them by being obsessed with details.

If you have a 1956 F100 (or any classic truck) that deserves a restoration, don't trust it to a general mechanic. Bring it to the shop that wins trophies for them.

Contact Rods N Mods today to start your award-winning build.

---