Another So-Cal Speed Shop masterpiece. This one is a modern F-100 interpretation. What many may not realize is that along with a pair of iconic land speed race cars, there was the infamous ’53 F-100 shop truck used to, among other things, push-start and tow the race cars at Bonneville and El Mirage, and many other places. While So-Cal is still living up to its hot rod heritage, it hasn’t become a stranger to pickups.
Our client had gone out to the mother ship in Pomona, CA to discuss a hot rod pickup project with So-Cal’s Cofounder and President, Pete Chapouris. They went in the route of his ’66 Chevelle we are selling first, but after the muscle car project was completed, our client finally got his chance to see the original truck project come to life.
Like anything else the So-Cal crew gets their hands on, the Ford truck underwent a major overhaul, but you’d be hardpressed to tell simply by looking at pics of what appears to be a fairly stock-bodied Effie. So-Cal brought the once flatbed-equipped ’55 up to modern hot rod standards: Heidts IFS and Total Cost involved parallel leafs (each outfitted with Bilstein shocks), a Currie Tru-Trac 9-inch rearend, and a dual-quad 460 big-block with a C-6 automatic. The F-100 was also subjected to a taste of So-Cal on it’s exterior, numerous yet subtle body modifications. Modifications that can be interpreted as things that maybe should’ve been done back in 1955, from the grille (with six-cylinder crest) to the bed (massaged heat to toe, custom latches, and artistic mini-tubs). Don’t think the interior was left out either. Not having a lot to work with, they threw down a nice short-look carpet flooring and recovered the bench seat with a stylish basket weave vinyl. Hidden discretely is a full complement of audio equipment – Kenwood CarPortal touch-screen, ARC Audio amps and front speakers, and Tangband rears and a subwoofer- installed and tuned by the Audio Shoppe. Even the gauges are finely restored and updated electronically courtesy of United Speedometer.
This F-100 is no revolutionary truck by any means. But, it is what can be construed as the perfect example of the ultimate understatement. Simple and to the point, but done just right.
Specs:
-Modified by So-Cal Speed Shop
-Currie Tru-Trac 9” 3.23:1
-Total Cost Involved parallel leaf, Bilstein shocks
-Currie 11” rear drum
-Heidts IFS, Bilstein coilovers
-11” GM front discs
-Wheel Vintiques 17×8
-Ford 460ci big-block
-Super CobraJet aluminum heads
-Holley dual intake
-Mallory Ignition
-Sanderson headers
-Custom MagnaFlow exhaust
-Ford C-6 transmission
-TCI converter
-Updated interior gauges
-Kenwood/ARC Audio
-Reupholstered
