Vehicle Description
1955 Ford F100 Pickup
The first restyling of Ford's popular F-series truck included an
expanded cab, stylish new grille, and longer hood that flowed into
the front fenders. Changes from the first F-series Pickup to the
second generation went beyond a face lift. Ford expanded the
truck's wheelbase, with longer front and rear leaf springs fitted
to improve ride quality while still maintaining hauling ability.
The front suspension was set back to allow a tighter turning
radius. A new cargo bed, measuring 6 1/2 feet by 20 inches, would
be used all the way up into the eighties.
After seeing his dream truck vision and finding the eventual
restoration in upstate NY, our consigner worked his way up there to
finalize the transaction. What he had was a truck that had been
steampunked with a tall shifter which reached over his head and
steering wheel that was not the most comfortable as it was high and
very large. A long trip and a very stiff neck, the transformation
began in earnest!
Exterior
Starting with as close to a frame-off build as you could get,
consigner states he added a new No Limit Engineering forward tilt
hood, running boards and fenders, and made sure all the steel was
straight and true, and minded the gaps. Then he sprayed on a fresh
coat of PPG Hot Rod Black, which is a really radical matte finish.
With saw in hand, then constructed a new bed out of pine, using
this species of wood to contrast with the Hot Rod Black. Knowing
pine is softer and susceptible to damage from the elements he
carefully coated the new bed with several coats of Epifanes marine
grade gloss finish, and the results are stunning. He obtained his
contrast and has a beautiful bed. Some attention to the front
grille where it has been chromed, and in the middle dip a numeral 8
has been added just to tell you what to expect under that front
flipping hood. A final touch is two tone custom painted on pin
striping that takes on the forms of licking flames, but it's pin
striping, and really hot looking.
Interior
A total teardown of the steampunk look, and now we have an awesome
combo of black gloss on the metal, and a cluster of VDO gauges with
crescent moon pointers, and a GPS speedometer which has an analog
pointer and digital mileage and heading readout, all contained in a
dazzling chromed cluster oval. Fronting this dash is a thick
chromed adjustable steering column, and some Vintage Air A/C heat
to keep things cool when you're behind the wheel of this hot truck.
All new cab steel rubber weather-stripping is installed to keep
that cool air in. Electric windshield wipers with delay and
washers, as well as a Panasonic Stereo with AM/FM/USB, Bluetooth
and a remote to distract you from the road! Mercedes-Benz black
leather buckets which have the capability to adjust electrically,
are not hooked up, but all the underpinning work has been
performed.
Drivetrain
Plenty of attention was paid to the 350ci Chevrolet Motor, which
dons an Edelbrock 4-barrel carb atop, and features a custom exhaust
system with stainless steel block hugger headers. A freshly
reworked 700R4 automatic transmission featuring a Corvette servo,
is bolted on back and shifts very smoothly.
Undercarriage
Hours of attention was paid to the underside where we see no rust,
drips or errors, and all structurally solid as a rock. Heat wrap is
noted from block to cherry bombs, and dual rectangular, chrome
tipped side exit pipes peek out from both sides just rearward of
the step sides. Power disc brakes are on all 4 corners, new 12-volt
wiring, power steering, and Posse soft ride springs over Bilstein
shocks give not only a luxury car ride but provide a great stance
for this black beauty. Highlighting all 4 corners are Ford Explorer
chromed wheels.
His dream came to reality, and his stiff neck now remedied, this
really nice build shows a labor of love, and an attention to
detail. Let's just say that with this build: Satin Black is the new
Hot!
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 300 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania,
conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76
Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and
our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for
more information or to come see the vehicle in person.