Hot Rods Ooltewah Speed Shop builds a '57 Ford truck

I have to blame Bill (Novatattoo) for my original affliction with these trucks. After seeing his truck years ago, I was on a mission. I originally thought it should be really easy to find a nice, rust free, SWB '57 Ford. I was SADLY mistaken. Not only are they hard to find period, but a rust free short wheel base is nearly impossible.

My second choice was a SWB '66. That's what I found and built. Lotsa fun and miss it BAD, but it still wasn't a '57.

Years later, my buddy Dave (kustomrace) informed me that one of our car club members had a '57 Ford. Believe it or not, this truck came from our Detroit area Roadents C.C. president (Rancho). Been in Michigan all it's life.

Long story short..... Here's my new '57 Ford.

I'll start the pics with what started all this, then how mine was found. I'll move on with progress pics as they come....

Sound good? Here we go.

 

Nice truck Kevin!

 

I expect to see it in the basement next year.

Get crackin' Kevin.


.

 

Hey that thing would look good up here in June!!

Especially with some fruit jars in it!

 

I've been in north Knoxville for 2 years and 3 months now - I really need to make it down to your place and check things out

Al in TN

 

novatattoo is responsible for mine as well.

 

Maybe for the Autorama '13....

Bring it on Al....

 

A few pics while Eric, Dave & the Roadents were working on it. Last shot is loaded up, leaving Detroit, headed to Ooltewah.

 

You have too many toys, man!

Kewl truck.

 

Is that even possible...? Thanks bro.

 

dammit man!! cool truck , i had one myself in the late 70s!

 

Bill can have that affect on you. Are you bringing it to Pigeon Forge next month for the show?

 

This is going to be awesome !!!

 

Thanks fellas for the kind words. Stance and wheels can make even the ugliest vehicle look great. These trucks are proof of that. Not that long ago most people would have (and did) pass these trucks off. Now they're gettin some love too.

Later, Bill

Not to hijack but a before and after pic.
before

after


then big and littles

 

love those '57s, oh I a agree.....waaaay too many damn projects, your momma ever teach you to share? ha

 

Well the truck made it to Ooltewah safe and sound (thanks to Eddie (Haulzit)). Here's a little more info on it. What Eric did was collect a ton of good parts. The front axle was dropped by Sid and it has mono-leaf springs. The wheels are vintage Americans. The rearend is flipped to the top of the leafs. It will be getting a set of Cal-Tracs traction bars like my black truck had, mainly because they work great and with this engine.... It's gonna need them. More on that later...

The floors, steps, and rockers were pretty bad and the cab corners are toast. Other than a few issues here and there, the sheetmetal is really nice. Especially coming from the land of rust....

Here's some sheetmetal repair I started on the floors. It's hard to tell in the pics, but it's getting new front cab braces on both sides too.

A party broke out, so the work stopped. To be continued....

 

Very nice! I'm a fan of those trucks as well.. Keeping an eye on this one.

 

350/350/9"...?



you are allowed to tell me to have sex with myself...

 

"More on that LATER"..... All I'm gonna say is, 3 pedals like everything I build.

 

What size tires are you running?

 

215-70 Fronts and 235-75 Rears on 15x8 wheels. From past experience a 255-70 is about the same height as the 235-75, but has about 1.5" more footprint.

 

Nice truck. Hey question here, where are you picking up the door step pieces from? They look good?

 

OK, one more question and I'll leave you alone for now. How much back spacing on those rims?

 

Ha, I wish. This ain't Jim Sibley here.... Maybe next year.

Schott makes the panels for LMC. You can get them from either place for about the same $$. They are decent at best.... Better have a sheetmetal brake and some metal working experience, or you will send them back thinking they sent you the wrong stuff. Just saying.

I'll have to do some measuring on that one. I will though, and post it.

 

Great looking start.

That IS the coolest truck make and model. I can't wait to watch the progress.

 

Trade ya for that old coupe you have for sale.....

 

Damn Kevin, you roll some neat stuff through there. The garage is cool as shit! I love '57 Fords. Might sound weird to some people, but these are the '32's of trucks. One year only and rare as hell.

So what's the secret on the engine?

 

Everytime i've talked to you in the past year or so you have been working 7 days a week 12+ hours a day.....how are finding time to build all these cars. Cool truck Kev!

 

If you or anyone can use them, I have two 15x7 5 on 5 1/2 bp steelies from Vintique...new in the box. The red color is primer...I'll let them go real cheap...just holler at me...

 

The Detroit Boys had a good start on the passengers side, so it was a matter of fitting and trimming to get it ready. The drivers side was still a rusty mess. Ford REALLY liked spot welds.... DAMMIT. It took a few hours to clean up and find all the spot welds, then a few more hours drilling. Finally got everything apart.

Last pic is what it looked like in '57.