Vehicle Description
One of the things we like most about the recent "patina" phenomenon
is that you never know what to expect. At a glance, this 1946 Ford
pickup looks like an old antique barn find, complete with pre-war
styling and the requisite rugged exterior, but you'd only be
reading the book by its cover. Look under the hood or at the
chassis and you'll find great workmanship and newer components
throughout, featuring a 350 V8, an automatic transmission, and an
upgraded suspension that were all designed to make this a
first-rate cruiser that dances to a different tune.
The look of the '46 Ford pickup is familiar to anyone that's driven
through the American countryside, yet when you set the stance low
to the ground, it takes on an entirely new personality. Finished in
what we can only call Patina Bronze, it's got an incredibly cool
weathered look in a very consistent way, and the clamshell hood,
round fenders, and running boards are staples of the Ford's pre-war
design. That's right, this is still technically a pre-war truck
since Ford used the 1941 design after the war until 1948, with only
minor changes to the grills and trim on some models. The result is
an old-school truck that demands attention but doesn't shout about
it, and we love that what's left of the front grille and hood trim
was retained when this little bruiser was built. Looking past the
bumps-and-bruises paint job, you'll find all-original Henry Ford
steel, and yes, it has dents, dings, and even some minor rusty
spots that don't go beyond the surface, but it's still a very solid
truck that's ready for the rigors of the road. Doors fit well, the
hood sits surprisingly flush, and even the front and rear tailgate
survived decades of use and open-air preservation to make their way
into the new millennium. Out back, the bed floor is made of fresh
wood panels and bright chrome slats that are stark contrast to the
rest of the truck, and a black toolbox was fitted with a fuel cell
inside for a killer custom look. It's a very unique pickup, and we
can all but guarantee that this Ford will be all that's talked
about at the car show.
Climb behind the wheel and you'll see things feel totally
different, starting with a neatly installed wide-bench seat wrapped
in beautiful two-tone red and black upholstery. The pleaded vinyl
seat is all-day comfortable and features stitch work usually
reserved for higher-end interiors, while the red steel door panels,
plush black carpets on the floor, and red vinyl headliner are great
complementary pieces. It's obvious this cabin wasn't just thrown
together last minute, and spartan or not, it was purposely restored
for the comfort of the driver and passenger. The original steel
dash was painted bright red to match the rest of the cab, and a
billet gauge bezel filled with classic-looking VDO gauges was
installed right ahead of the driver. An aftermarket A/C system was
also neatly installed in the dash, discreetly enough where it looks
like it always belonged, and although it's pumping R134a
refrigerant inside, we're thinking it could use a service soon for
optimal performance. A later-model GM steering wheel with a custom
'46' horn button sits atop a tilt column, anchoring the interior
and providing a lot more room for the driver behind the wheel. A
Pioneer AM/FM/CD head unit was installed under the dash, but it's
been a long time since it worked so it could use a modern upgrade.
Simple and clean, with a couple much-needed creature comforts that
really put this '46 ford over the top.
There's big news under the hood delivered via a swapped-in 350 V8
Chevy small block that's running great. With lots of torque, it
makes this Ford plenty agile and very streetable, reliable, and
easy to service. Topped with an Edelbrock 4-barrel carb and
Edelbrock aluminum intake, this lightweight truck can get and go
with immediate responsiveness, breathing easy through a chrome
Edelbrock open-air filter and staying nice and cool thanks to the
giant radiator up front. Chrome Edelbrock valve covers add a little
bling to the red engine bay, and a modern alternator and A/C
compressor are further proof that this truck was built for modern
driving. Underneath, you get the aforementioned TH350 3-speed
transmission feeding a beefy 10-bolt rear end, so it's an easy
cruiser at higher speeds - something most Pre-War trucks cannot
brag about. Giving it great road manners is the Nova-style front
clip with power steering and front disc brakes up front, and
upgraded shocks throughout. Ram's horn manifolds feed a cackling
dual exhaust system featuring throaty Flowmaster-style mufflers
that sound great the moment the V8 motor sparks to life. Matching
red steel wheels adorned with Ford center caps and beauty rings
finish the look and they're wrapped in 215/75/15 whitewalls that
looks fantastic.
For the money, you probably won't get a much cooler vintage truck
than this. Patina pickups like this always attract a lot of
attention and with the comfortable interior and strong modern
running gear, it will always be a pleasure to drive. Call
today!