F100 Total Rebuild 350ci Chevy Motor/700 R4 PPG Hot Rod Black

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.