Vehicle Description
Say what you want about the so-called "rat rod" phenomenon, but the vehicles these artists are turning out are some of the most innovative, yet very drivable, machines on the hot rod scene. This 1954 Ford F1 pickup, for example, has a radical look, some whimsical touches, and a well-sorted chassis that makes it the truck to own if you want to go places.
It's undeniably a Ford F1, but every angle, every curve, every component has been subtly tweaked to transform it into something altogether new. The top was chopped about four inches, the doors were reversed to open suicide-style, and the fiberglass front clip is seamless so it can tilt forward for access. Out back, the bed was trimmed and fitted with slightly wider fiberglass fenders, so it has an aggressive stance, and much of the trim was shaved. Then the whole thing was channeled low over the frame to give it that awesome wide and low look. Finally, the bodywork was completely covered in satin black, the rat rodder's paint of choice, and it looks wicked even sitting still. A few old-school pinstripes were added on the hood and tailgate and the bed was fitted with a beer keg fuel tank, just for fun. There's more fun in the form of road signs in the bed floor, raised up high due to the channeling job but no less cool because of it.
The interior is traditional rat rod, too, with bits and pieces taken from scrap yards just the way they used to do it in the early days of real hot rodding. The bench seat has some wear and tear, but that also means it's been used, and this truck is totally sorted out because of it. Overhead there's an American flag headliner (is there anything more uniquely American than the hot rod?) and the door panels are also road signs put to good use. From a hardware standpoint, it's modern and reliable all the way, with big Equus gauges in a custom panel and a tach on top of the dash, and a steering wheel from a late-model GM product atop a tilt column. A crude center console offers a pair of cup holders and there's more satin black paint and pinstripes to add to the décor. You can forget side windows, A/C, and a radio, but if you need those things, well, you're probably not the right guy for this kind of ride.
Mechanically, this Ford is bulletproof reliable and insanely fast thanks to a 383 cubic inch Chevy stroker motor. Rebuilt 1776 miles ago, it's got endless reserves of torque and with the lightweight truck bodywork, it's impressively fast. There are primitive rodding sensibilities under the hood, with scavenged parts, wrapped exhaust headers, and a big Holley 4-barrel up top. The radiator is cooled by an electric fan, just in case, and there's a Chevy S10 front clip that adds disc brakes and power steering. A 700R4 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission works with an 8.8-inch Ford rear end full of 4.11 gears, so it's insanely punchy around town but a decent highway cruiser that you can take anywhere. A custom dual exhaust system uses glasspack-style mufflers for a vintage sound and those painted steel wheels with dog dish hubcaps are exactly the right look. They were custom made for this truck and carry staggered BFG rubber to give it exactly the right stance.
This is one of those rides that isn't for everyone, but if you're the right guy for the driver's seat, it's the most perfect thing you've ever seen. Call today!
