Projects 37 ford pickup...original new england hot rod built by Tommy Caruso

Here is my 1937 Ford Pickup that I purchased about two years ago, made a few tweaks and drove it for about a year and half. 6 months ago I decided to tear it down and make some upgrades/modifications. I took a lot of inspiration from Jeffrey James 35 coupe (The Wizard) 57-59 high school hot rod, especially his use of a 265 small block chevy and subsequent defending of them as a period correct and traditional choice. The truck was originally Tommy Caruso's shop truck (well known new england flathead expert and hot rodder, been in business for 40 years) and the truck had at one time a cadillac 331 engine in it, but when I purchased it, it had an 8ba (a tired one). Here are some pics of how I purchased it and made a few tweaks to it while driving it for close to two years.

 

This is how I purchased it.
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Nice! Looks like a soild truck.

 

And then I made a few tweaks to it and drove it for the last two years.</a>[/IMG]</a>[/IMG]</a>[/IMG]</a>[/IMG]</a>[/IMG]

 

The tear down....</a>[/IMG]</a>[/IMG]</a>[/IMG]</a>[/IMG]</a>[/IMG]</a>[/IMG]</a>[/IMG]</a>[/IMG]

 

And so the journey begins, good luck dude. Are you going for a cab off too?

 

I decided to put a 4 inch magnum dropped axle but retain the unsplit wishbones, new king pins, bendix style brakes on the front, reconfigure the gas shocks on the front, add shocks on the rear(there weren't any), rebuild the 39 box, rebuild the steering box, rebuild the rear, put the truck back to wide 5, also adapt a 1956 265 chevy to the toploader and keep period choices for a 57-59 hot rod... here are some pics of the work so far, still a lot left to do.</a>[/IMG]</a>[/IMG]</a>[/IMG]</a>[/IMG]</a>[/IMG]</a>[/IMG]</a>[/IMG]</a>[/IMG]</a>[/IMG]</a>[/IMG]</a>[/IMG]</a>[/IMG]</a>[/IMG]</a>[/IMG]</a>[/IMG]</a>[/IMG]</a>[/IMG]</a>[/IMG]</a>[/IMG]</a>[/IMG]

 

Still a lot of work left to do, replace/rework front fenders, fit half hood back on, bodywork, and paint back to ford french gray (I think thats what it was?)
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Nice...That Chevy need dual WCFB's

 

Cool truck, nice job!

 

Nice little pickup.

 

I have the 37 that my grandfather bought new and I approve of everything you have done!

I am concerned about that transmission. Every one I used broke parts no matter how easy I ran.

Your truck is gorgeous!

this is grandpas truck in 1952 with the current owner

 

grandpa and the current owner hanging on to it

grandpa homesteaded 160 acres in 1905

 

That is a great looking truck

 

Looks good w/wide 5's and nose down, what type /size tires, Is that a breather tube at the back of the 265, Thanks Lucky

 

Nice truck but JMHO should have kept the flattie.............. Henry's pissed

 

Cool truck, but why not tape off when you painted the firewall?

 

If that isn't perfection for a mid to late 50's period hauler I don't know what you could do different. I do know that I'm jealous it isn't parked in my garage.

Frank

 

Just for the record, you were the winner of the "find the fly shit in the pepper" contest weren't you?

Frank

 

Very cool! '37's are my favorite

 

awesome, wish i had an old family car

 

I kind of like the original wheel treatment...sets off that nice red grill!

 

Fun Project....enjoy

 

Guess so... But come on. How hard would it have been to run some tape around the edge. Im sure rest of truck may be painted, but I just do not understand.

 

Great truck

 

Neat truck with the 36 grille and 37 cab application

 

I LOVE this truck!!!! Great job. I can't wait to see more!!!

 

I am amazed that no one else wanted this stuff. I got his 54 Ford car too and his 1940 Farmall and a 1909 phone that he quit using in 1931. I got my other grandpas 1943 Farmall and a Chicago Aermotor
Heres a picture of my grandmother taken at age 8, in 1897
Her mother wasnt allowed to eat corn because her father came home sick during the War of Northern Aggression and blamed it on green corn

 

Awesome pickup! I just got a 5inch dropped axle for my 37 pickup. Do you have any picks and tips on what to adjust on the front end to keep all the stock gear up front. Thanks DF.

 

cool truck!