Frame Off Built Pickup 350 V8 700R4 4 Speed Automatic Vintage Air PS Disc Brakes

SUMMARY

12-year restoration completed in late 2011
350 cubic inch crate engine supplied by John Barrett Hot Rod Engines
700R4 4-speed automatic transmission
Fat Man Fabrications chassis
Custom leather interior / Vintage Air conditioning
Mostly-steel body / PPG Viper Red paint / PPG 2021 clear
Power rack-and-pinion steering / Power front disc and rear drum brakes
Billet Specialties wheels
Sony Xplod audio
Ford 8-inch rear axle

For every hot rod, here's a trend. For every trend, here are admirers. And for every admirer, here's a dilution of the hot rod that created the trend in the first place. But every once in a while a trend is so powerful it not only becomes the standard for what's cool with a particular model, t also sets a baseline for that model's respective fans. Need some examples? We all know you can't build a serious Willys without a tubbed rear end. And we also know you can't build a Ford coupe without shaved door handles. Like it or not, hese are just unspoken facts of gearhead life. With their tidy proportions and classic form, 40s Fords are certainly a standard in the street rod world. And the baseline for notable '40s builds is a solid, ostly-steel body, small block V8 and comparatively upscale trim. The question then becomes: what happens when someone meets that baseline and throws in a couple of great ideas for good measure? You get a fully sorted custom like this awesome pickup! Whether you're a diehard Ford fan, n old school truck lover, r just a curious buyer who's looking for a well-done cruiser, his striking half-ton hits like a lightning bolt on a clear summer day!

BODYWORK/TRIM

With its wind-swept design and classic good looks, he 1940 Ford has always been a rare and highly desirable line of cars. And not surprisingly, earheads, ustomizers and 70 years' worth of fans have elevated it to one of hot rodding's greatest cultural icons. The beneficiary of a 12-year restoration that was wrapped up in late 2011 at Manns Restoration of St. Louis, issouri, his awesome pickup began a new life as a show stopping head turner. That restoration began when the truck's voluptuous body was thoroughly stripped and professionally chopped. Once that solid profile was virtually seamless, resh bed planks were complemented with a custom roll pan, iberglass fenders and a full tonneau. A polished grille, odern headlights and tasteful tail lamps joined shaved doors, haved drip rails, mall mirrors and Specialty Power wipers to provide the simple yet custom perfection that characterizes modern street rodding. Everything not polished was bathed in three coats of PPG Viper Red base, ealed in three coats of PPG 2021 clear and detailed with subtle pin stripes. And today, his razor-sharp custom rolls as a real head turner!

ENGINE

When this Ford was originally purchased, t was all flathead, ll the way. And, hile the flathead is a nice novelty that provides a really authentic ownership experience, erious road chops require serious upgrades. Built by John Barrett Hot Rod Engines of McLoud, klahoma, he truck's serious chops come in the form of a 350 cubic inch small block V8. The mean mill's energy mixture is supplied by a big Holley carburetor, hich is sandwiched between a coated intake, raided fluid lines, Moon pressure gauge, Moon temperature gauge, nd a polished and finned air cleaner. That mixture travels in to John Barrett-supplied heads, hich center polished and finned valve covers under polished and finned breathers. At the back of those valve covers, Pertronix Flame-Thrower distributor shoots fire thorough loomed MSD plug wires. That fire is kept in check by a proven Walker radiator, hich is mated to billet hose clamps, large Cooling Components puller fan and a trick Mr. Gasket Thermocap. A polished serpentine system spins a tough Powermaster alternator and polished AC compressor above a coated water pump while spent gases are cycled through coated block hugger headers. And first-rate detailing, ike polished fluid reservoirs, rick valve cover bolts and a Bitchin Products firewall, nsure the truck is more than just a random curbside attraction.

DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION

Every good street rod has a solid foundation. Flip this Ford upside down and you'll find a roster of mechanical improvements that mix classic looks with modern mobility. A smooth 700R4 4-speed spins comfortably in front of an 8-inch Ford axle that was built with NASCAR expertise. That ultra reliable driveline rides between a fresh Bitchin Products floor and quality Fatman Fabrications chassis components, hich employ modern power rack-and-pinion steering. Power-assisted brakes, ith discs up front and drums at the rear, re a welcome addition and big performance upgrade. There's a clean, andrel-bent exhaust system that makes good use of Flowmaster Hushpower II mufflers and a pair of polished stainless pipes. Everything rides on polished Billet Specialties wheels, hich spin 225/50ZR16 Goodyear Eagle F1s in front of 255/45ZR18 Goodyear Eagle F1s. And items, ike stainless fluid lines, ccessible battery leads, inned transmission coolers and a stainless fuel tank, inish an otherwise impressive canvas.

INTERIOR

Wrapped in striking Tan leather, his pickup's warm and welcoming interior is simple, asteful and extremely well done. A body-matched dash hangs clean VDO telemetry and Vintage Air climate control between billet foot pedals, tilting steering column and a leather-wrapped, udnik wheel. In front of that dash, broad bench seat, artitioned for the driver and one lucky passenger, tacks familiar Ostrich inlays on a hidden power outlet. At the bottom of that seat, ight carpet trims a custom consolette, hich is complete with a sleek shifter and toggles for hidden Sony Xplod audio. At the sides of the passengers, tylish door panels hang billet handles above switches for Specialty Power windows. Overhead, custom headliner bridges the gap between an oval mirror, n Ostrich-wrapped window and a billet Center High Mount Stop Lamp. And, bove all, uality is the name of the game, ith thick sound deadening and Ron Francis wiring ensuring every ride is a great ride.

If you're the kind of enthusiast that likes to play with your toys as much as possible, his '40 Ford is a perfect addition to your garage. The work is done. The money is spent. All you have to do is enjoy it!