1940 FORD BOYD CODDINGTON PICKUP

Details

Initially chopped and loosely mocked up by Boyd's shop, Ron Pratte decided to complete this pickup truck first before launching into the trio of '40 Ford passenger cars. He knew it would require a very special shop to complete the build while maintaining Coddington's high standard of execution. After research showed that Squeeg's Kustoms was the longest continuously running Hot Rod and custom shop in Arizona, the choice was made to deliver the truck there for finishing. The front suspension is a Heidt's double A-arm system, modified so the front tire track width is perfectly balanced with the width of the truck front fenders. Chrome plating adorns the control arms, coilover springs, steering knuckles, Sweet Mfg. power steering rack and torsion bar-style front anti-roll bar. Under the pickup bed, former Boyd machinist Mike Curtiss reworked the C4 Corvette-based independent rear suspension. Wilwood rear disc brakes work in harmony with Wilwood front discs and a Kugel master cylinder to assure a surplus of braking power, so a 560hp ROUSH 427 IR crate engine was chosen to motivate this masterpiece. It has been meticulously detailed with polished or chromed external components, and the engine block was painted to match the body and frame. Despite its 560 horsepower and 540ft/lbs of torque, the ROUSH 427 IR is a street friendly, pump gas compatible jewel, and the perfect complement to the high-caliber construction techniques displayed all over this marvelous custom pickup truck. Behind the burly V8 is a Tremec 5-speed manual transmission. Other features are custom stitched leather seating, headliner, door and interior panels by Gabe's Custom Upholstery (San Bernardino, CA), rendered in soft brown to complement the red body paint. Numerous,

subtle exterior modifications complement the invisibly executed roof chop. The hood and cowl corners have been massaged and recontoured, the hood hinges redesigned to assure even articulation, and the stock wooden Ford cab and bed mounts replaced by steel. One of Boyd Coddington's favorite touches was the rendering of vintage-looking parts in modern materials. Serving this detail, the wheels appear to be basic widened steelies. But a second look reveals the truth. Each rim has a CNC machined billet aluminum center that's been carefully massaged to replicate the contours of a stocker. With only 200 test miles, this mouthwatering custom pickup is literally brand new and offers a hint at what the trio of unfinished Boyd custom '40 Fords could also become.