Vehicle Description
A former Colorado shop truck originally nicknamed "Denver Dandy,"
this pickup was first restored to stock form in 1959. Through the
1960s it was customized and transformed multiple times. The
innovative and high-quality work done on the truck earned it
nationwide "cover car" status and a feature in the December 1963
Hot Rod magazine. At the time, while relatively stock in basic
appearance, the truck featured a 4" roof chop, the wheelbase was
shortened 4", the front fenders were moved back, the cargo bed was
shortened 11", and the body was channeled 5" over the frame rails.
The '33 Ford pickup suspension remained stock, '59 Cadillac
taillights were fitted, and the interior was custom-upholstered.
Power was delivered by a beautifully detailed, chromed, and
polished Flathead Ford V8 engine with low-profile Roots blower,
twin Strombergs, and Offy heads and intake, with power handled by a
later-model 3-speed manual transmission and rear end. By the time
it returned to Hot Rod's pages in July 1968, modifications were far
more drastic, including a sectioned Deuce radiator shell,
low-mounted headlamps, nerf bars, unskirted front fenders, and
birch for the side panels, running boards, and dash panel. It also
featured a custom console for the speedometer and control switches.
Clear Plexiglas replaced the firewall, forward floor, and cargo bed
floor, revealing the engine and heavily chromed and detailed
suspension. As a final touch, twin radio antennae were frenched
into the upper cab corners. During the 1970s, the famous pickup was
modified further into its current form with a new Aztec Gold paint
job, extensive pinstriping, unique painted scenes on each door
celebrating Colorado's rich frontier heritage. The blower was also
removed with the Flathead essentially unchanged otherwise. Renamed
"Colorado Gold," the pickup was featured in a two-page 1976 Rod
Action Yearbook spread. More recently it was shown at the 2009
World of Wheels in West Virginia was depicted in event coverage in
the December 2009 issue of Cruisin' Times magazine. It then joined
The Jimmie Taylor Museum Collection and was featured as the
November car in the 2011 Street Rods calendar.
