Produce Truck Project

Trends come and trends go, but the idea of a low startup cost never goes out of style. Take Bill Walker’s little pickup, for instance. Back in the early-’50s, Bill was on the hunt for some early iron to build into a hot rod fit for short trips and long hauls. While bumming around the local service station, he noticed a Model A pickup that had been put out to pasture. After tracking down the owner, he discovered the old produce truck could be his for a mere $30. Just like that, Bill had a project.

There’s no doubt that money was tight all throughout the 10-month build, but he kept things under control by selling off whatever he didn’t need—like the original drivetrain for $15—as well performing all the fabrication work with the help of his auto shop teacher. All in all, the duo built a standout. There’s a whole lot to like, but here are my top three focal points:

• Suicide Front End: Although these were gaining popularity with the T-roadster crowd, they were far from commonplace back in the early-1950s. In this case, Bill created an adjustable angle plate and secured it to the front of the frame. When combined with Model A suspension components, the car sat nice and low up front. Juice brakes from a ’41 Ford helped slow the truck.
• Selective Body Mods: Check out how this truck has been channeled but not chopped. Would it look good with haircut? Yes. But as you can see, Bill wasn’t the smallest guy in the world, and this car was built to be driven. Plus, when you combine the stock-height roof with the bobbed rear fenders and healthy rake, you have an unmistably ’50s profile. Why mess with that?
• Fit and Finish: Even though he was operating on a shoestring, Bill didn’t cut any corners when it came to making the truck the best it could be. There’s almost no chrome whatsoever, and all the chassis components were treated to a liberal coating of black paint. He did, however, take the truck to Wayne Cook Automotive in Los Angeles for a Seafoam Green paintjob. To finish things off, he had the cabin professionally trimmed in red and white pleated Naugahyde, while the roof insert and bed were covered with green canvas. Tidy.

By the time Bill’s pickup was featured in Rod & Custom, he and a friend had recently completed a successful camping trip to Yosemite and he was ready to sell. I wonder where the ol’ produce truck went? Let’s hope its out there on the road, or maybe safely tucked away waiting to be discovered.

—Joey Ukrop

 Photos by Ralph Poole, Rod & Custom, December 1953