Pick ’Em Up

They’re still out there, or so they say. Well, earlier this month Fresno, California-based hot rodder Austin Thornton proved that old adage still stands when he hauled home one of the best survivors I’ve seen in a long time. When we were all busy living our lives, he managed to track down and scoop up a 1929 Model A roadster pickup that has been sitting more than half a century.

The truck itself is everything you could want in an early style street machine. Chopped, lowered, and full-fendered, you can tell that someone put their heart and soul into this one. As much as I love the upholstered running boards and bobbed rear fenders, there’s no doubt that the chrome grille shell is my favorite feature. Not only the shell, but also the lower splash apron, which was also chromed at one point in its life.

As far as I know, there’s no drivetrain in the truck. If it were me, I’d drop a 59AB between the rails, complete with a pair of Strombergs and a whole lot of chrome acorns. I would enjoy going through the A bolt by bolt, making it mechanically sound and ready for the road ahead. Can you imagine how good it would look with wide whitewalls, black steelies, and beanie caps? Or maybe some early mags with skinny piecrust slicks?

Hit him up. Make a deal. And, once you have the pickup back at your garage, start a build thread. I’ll be waiting patiently.

—Joey Ukrop

Photos by Austin Thornton