Vehicle Description
Remember those cool rods from the '70s, the ones that filled the
pages of the programs at the AutoRama each year? This 1931 Ford
Model A pickup is the modern interpretation of one of those cars, a
neat little truck with Ford 302 V8 power and lots of style.
The pickup is one of the most familiar body styles of the dozens
that were offered on the Model A chassis. It's functional yet
attractive, a combination that works incredibly well either as a
restored car or a hot rod like this. It keeps all the familiar
Model A styling cues, so there's no question what it is, but thanks
to some subtle tweaks here and there, it has a definite custom
look. The cab is a fiberglass Studley Body while the bed is from
Brookville and they work well together. The screaming orange paint
certainly helps, and they skipped the flames and graphics, which
lets the bodywork simply speak for itself. The body is fairly true
to the original, so it has that authentic look but with a few
subtle tweaks, it's a bit more comfortable for today's world. Fit
and finish are quite good, and it uses traditional tricks like
shaved door handles and hinges, a custom rear roll pan with
built-in taillights, and a '32 Ford grille shell. You'll also note
that the bed floor is beautifully finished oak, adding to the
well-finished look.
The pickup was never known for its spacious cab, but this one has
been skillfully "re-engineered" to allow taller drivers to get
comfortable behind the wheel. Most of that is due to a custom bench
seat that's been expertly upholstered in brown and tan leather with
matching door panels. A smooth painted dashboard replaces the
simple Model A piece (that was actually the gas tank) and includes
white-faced gauges to monitor the vitals. There's also a
wood-rimmed steering wheel, traditional "spoon" accelerator pedal,
and plush carpets that make the humble Model A feel a bit more
upscale. There's nothing here to slow it down, so they skipped the
radio, but it does have power windows and a trick T-handle shifter
for the 3-speed automatic underneath.
A 302 cubic inch Ford V8 lives under the half hood and it's a neat
fit behind the familiar '32 radiator shell. A Holley carburetor on
an aluminum intake is a traditional setup, and while it's a bit
fussy when it's cold, there's no arguing that this is an effective,
time-proven combination. Finned Ford Motorsport valve covers have
been painted satin black to contrast with the Ford Blue block, and
we dig the all-business look under the hood. There's a big aluminum
radiator up front with an electric fan and long-tube headers feed a
custom exhaust system that tucks up into the frame for excellent
ground clearance. The transmission is an FMX 3-speed automatic
feeding what appears to be a GM S10 rear end, which hangs on a
4-link setup and coil-over shocks. Up front there's a traditional
I-beam axle with hairpins and a leaf spring, and front disc brakes
provide plenty of stopping power. The stance is exactly right, too,
thanks to a big-n-little combination of aluminum Halibrand-style
wheels and 165/80/15 front and 255/70/15 rear performance
radials.
A cool little truck with plenty of power and upgrades that make it
comfortable for anyone to drive. For those who like to be a little
different, this is a great alternative. Call today!