Words & Photos: Tommy Parry

This build started with a foundation that wasn’t what you’d call 21st century – with large sections of the truck rusted out significantly and wood planks called in to support the a-pillars. Despite that, it had the right parts for a good build: a 302 Ford, a 9” rear, and a C6 3-speed. Following the addition of those goodies, a 6” chop and a 4” channel was in order.

With the wood panels replaced and a good amount of sheet metal filling in the rotten spots, the truck given a pretty short haircut and things looked to be coming along smoothly. However, the big step after this required a lot of effort: Will would have to build a comprehensive skeleton for the aging cab. A big, blue bed was tacked on, and pretty soon what was once a neglected collection of parts started to look pretty good.

Will’s lack of funds and available parts meant a ‘61-’64 Ford F-100 front axle was picked. On went the frame, and so did the front grille surround. The 302 was dropped onto the mounts, and the once-rusted collection of sheet metal was officially a truck.

Then the bed was on for good, but the cab still needed a floor. Thankfully, it gained a top in the form of an old Kelly cab from a Willys Jeep. It looked great – but the build still needed pedals, seats, a shade of dark green paint, a steering wheel, a radiator, a grill shell, a brake rebuild and lines plumbing, headlights and taillights, and a set of wheels and tires.

At that point, the ground had been laid, but money was keeping the project from moving forward very quickly. Over the next twelve months, as the paychecks came in, those pieces were bolted together.

The interior came next. A set of gray leather seats from his boat were thrown in, along with some dark blue carpet to complement them. The seats, as well as the shifter, were pulled so that the entire floor could be covered – and it looks like it was worth the extra effort.

Then the motor was fired up and the maiden voyage commenced. Truckers honked, schoolbus children cheered, and pedestrians hooted and hollered. Between the squeaks of the chassis, the rattles, and the 302 burbling, it was determined to be a little too loud, so some insulation came into play. A set of Thrush mufflers helped quiet the exhaust – as he realized when a few neighbors didn’t notice it idling – but at full tilt the V8 still shakes the windows in the neighborhood.

While the maiden voyages went well, the first gremlin reared its head. After overfilling the rear end, it blew a seal. Oh well; considering the scope of this build it’s not huge problem. For a little more presence on the road – not that it needed it – a set of Small Block Ford Classic Roadster headers were picked up, along with a reverse Corsair airbox.

When the box showed up, the second headache presented itself: these headers weren’t designed for a SB Ford, but for a SB Chevy. Strike two. During this mixup, a new steering box was purchased and installed. Because of the new box’s shorter Pitman arm, steering stability was stronger, though that came with greater steering effort.

Unfortunately, the third mistake came shortly thereafter in the form of two sets of passenger-side headers. Thankfully, the infuriated letter Will sent back to the retailer was enough to refund the original shipping cost. However, the real reward came when those puppies were bolted on – they made the old Ford SB sound like a stock car’s engine. Not only the added volume, but the drone was gone, and no more fumes made their way inside the cabin.

The first race was with a Civic at a stoplight – the Honda-driving kid didn’t know which way the Chevy went. Of course, the car attracted attention wherever it went, but the real treat was a celebratory trip to Durango, Colorado. The Chevy was trailered from New Mexico for a scenic drive through the San Juan mountains, and driven through Silverton, Ouray, and Telluride. Not a terrible way to finish a long, arduous, and occasionally frustrating build, especially when that striking Ford exhaust note could reverberate off the mountain walls.