National Award Winning F100 Supercharged 502 V8 5 Speed

With an unlimited budget amazing things are possible, and this astounding 1956 Ford F100 is the result of one man's vision, one shop's determination, and one hell of a big check. While it may look like a simple classic pickup, there isn't a single component anywhere on this custom that hasn't been modified, smoothed, polished, or created from scratch. And today, it sits as a hand-made piece of rolling sculpture that's won numerous awards and inspired multiple imitators. Unfortunately, there are still enthusiasts who refuse to give any truck the respect it deserves based on performance and appeal. But builds like this slick F100 and the "$183K showstopper":http://www.rkmotorscharlotte.com/sales/inventory/top_sales_2012/1956-Ford-F100/132897#!/ we sold a few months ago are so nice the market simply can't ignore them. If you're a diehard truck guy, or an enlightened enthusiast, who appreciates killer design, top notch custom work and a polished and powerful drivetrain, this spectacular Ford is just your style!

This sizzling F100 spent most of its life as a painter's work horse before officially being retired in the mid-80s in preparation for a modest restoration. As time seems to do, the years flew by and its owners didn't get around to planning and executing that restoration until roughly a decade later. Eventually, Hot Rods & Custom Stuff in Escondido, California was contracted to do some heavy labor, and what was supposed to be a driver quality rebuild turned into an intense, ground up project that created a national trophy winner. Once the truck's solid panels had been thoroughly worked and fully customized, its seams were filled and a slick coat of PPG black basecoat/clearcoat paint was detailed with purple Jim Waggaman flames, custom pin stripes and a super slick shine. Of course, fit and finish are as perfect as such things can be, with hundreds of hours tied up in just getting the body to look as precise as possible. And if you thought a Rolls-Royce was the pinnacle of automotive perfection, you haven't spent any time looking at the world's top pro-built rods which, like this truck, are unlike anything else you've ever seen!

Introduced as a one year only design, Ford's venerable 'big window' F100 has become one of the most desirable and collectible trucks on the planet. Additionally, its clean profile and sinuous form make it the perfect candidate for the kind of skillful customization you see here. At the front of this killer '56, a shortened and chromed grille is centered between modern halogen headlights, clear factory parking lights and a pristine, show-chromed bumper. Behind that grille a custom forward-tilt hood, which opens to reveal hot purple flames and a completely detailed big block, fits snug at the base of a 1956-exclusive windshield which is cleared by bright stainless wipers and trimmed in fresh weatherstripping. At the sides of that hood, custom front fenders hang shrunken wheel openings in front of shaved, custom-rounded doors and narrowed, hand-fabricated running boards that are complete with great sounding side pipes. Behind those shaved doors, a tinted 'big window' spans a smoothed cab wall that's complete with a custom center high mount stop lamp. At the top of that cab wall, a custom-louvered bed power tilts to reveal more hot purple flames and a fully detailed undercarriage. And behind those flames, tinted wooden bed planks ride above a welded, “Ford” branded tailgate, fully integrated 1950 Mercury tail lights and custom painted fender logos. As you can tell from the pictures, the custom flames are only visible when the truck is completely opened up. And when combined with its fully detailed engine and show-polished suspension, they provide the kind of spectacular visual pop that creates impressive reflections and one-of-a-kind photo opportunities.

Secure the truck's hand-made, BMW-style hood mechanism and take a look at its ground pounding 502 cubic inch big block V8. Not only does this monster mill crank out a whopping 800 horsepower, it features a smoothed, purple block and intricately detailed components which give it impressive looks to match its impressive performance. At the top of the gnarly engine, a pair of chrome Edelbrock 750 carburetors mix oxygen from a custom fabricated, K&N equipped air cleaner with a steady stream of high octane racing fuel. Below those carburetors, a chrome Weiand 8-71 blower spins between ported and polished Dart aluminum heads while an MSD Pro-Billet distributor sends fire through premium Taylor plug wires. High compression combustion is created by a Crower cam and a complete Crower valve train. Cooling comes courtesy of a heavy duty radiator which is sandwiched between a custom cowl cover, chrome water tubes, and two large diameter puller fans. Exhaust is handled by two inch, custom bent jet-hot headers which look almost as good as they sound. And charging is provided by a chrome alternator that, along with a chrome AC compressor and a polished water pump, spins between a nice set of chrome pulleys and sturdy chrome brackets. Aesthetically, the tight engine bay is a virtually flawless piece of street rod art that literally contains no unfinished or un-plated pieces from its custom chrome hood hardware and Marshall fuel pressure gauge to its complete set of braided hoses and high quality chrome valve covers. All the truck's wiring and plumbing has been artfully hidden and tucked out of sight. And the big engine displays a first-rate level of workmanship which creates a ferocious wallop, mountains of torque and a sinister, rumbling idle.

Behind that ferocious big block engine a stout Tremec 5-speed, which is complete with a purple Lakewood bell housing, spins a narrowed Currie nine inch rear end, which is complete with an aluminum center section and tall 3.70 gears, via a custom aluminum driveshaft. Serious stops to counter the truck's serious power are provided by Wilwood four wheel disc brakes that are equipped with both braided lines and polished calipers. Exhaust duties are handled by massive 3.5 inch jet-hot coated pipes which growl through high quality Flowmaster mufflers or cockpit controlled cut-outs. And that first class drivetrain is held off the ground by a 2x6 box tubed chassis which, along with the solid floors, has been bathed in the same black urethane as the truck's exterior panels. At the front of that chassis, a Heidt's Superide independent suspension utilizes manual rack and pinion steering, polished tubular control arms and chrome Aldan coil over shocks to provide a pleasant ride with a vintage feel. At the back of that chassis, a polished Heidt's four link suspension utilizes two more Aldan coil over shocks to provide drag strip worthy launches. And keeping all this muscle rolling down the road is a slick set of 15 inch ET-11 wheels which wear 205/60 Falken radials up front and 31x16.50 Hoosier Pro Street radials in the rear. With a beefy drivetrain that's reliably built to be both tough and fun to drive, this '56 Ford is the real deal. And with its clean floors and a list of impressive hardware that even includes a chrome driveshaft hoop, it will fare well at any show you chose to attend!

Climb inside this F100's supple cockpit and you'll find a custom made Ron 'The Stitcher' Mangus interior which trades its blue collar Ford roots for acres of two-texture leather comfort. At the front of the truck, a leather-wrapped Hot Rods & Custom Stuff dash hangs black-faced Moon Classic gauges above one-off custom foot pedals and controls for a Vintage Air heat and air conditioning system. At the center of the truck, custom leather and suede seats flank a custom leather console which is complete with a trick chrome shifter. And at the bottom of the truck, thick black carpet props heavy duty floor mats next to a chrome fire extinguisher and a chrome emergency brake handle. In front of the driver, a Ron Mangus styled billet steering wheel spins cool purple accents around an Ididit tilt steering column that's complete with a full set of billet stalks. At the sides of the driver, custom leather door panels hang sculpted armrests and suede flame accents above great sounding kick panel speakers that are wired to a satellite capable Pioneer CD player. And above the driver, a custom leather headliner is stretched tight behind a polished Moon Equipment rearview mirror.

This awesome Ford is highly decorated with appearances in many national shows, features in two major publications and numerous awards. Just a sample of the truck's accolades includes:

* F100 Super Nationals 1998 Truck of the Year
* Best Truck winner at the 1998 Grand National Roadster Show
* Award winner at the 1998 Oakland Roadster Show
* Award winner at the 1998 Goodguys Spring Nationals
* Award winner at the 1998 Sacramento Autorama
* Cover feature for the June 1998 issue of Petersen's Classic Trucks
* Featured in the October 1998 issue of Classic Trucks Magazine

Customs like this sinister F100 are consistently proving that trucks are finally transcending beyond working-class machines to become high quality builds which are utterly impossible to duplicate. It takes vision, time, skill, talent, dedication and cubic dollars to complete a vehicle of this caliber. Is it expensive? Sure. But its construction cost was probably double our asking price; and at this level, there's simply no comparison to garden-variety street rods.