TRUCKIN’ HELL

 

Out and about on his travels the old Aged Rocker is always on the alert for something that appeals to him. And so it was as he made his way along the A59 on his way into deepest, darkest Yorkshire. Sat on the forecourt of what looked like a disused garage sat three of the most iconic, rock’n’roll, hardcore classic vehicles you or the AR will be fortunate enough to ever sling their respective backsides behind the wheel of.

 

 

If there’s a motor out there that oozes style and makes the ultimate ‘couldn’t give a flying f$#k’ attitude statement it’s a 50’s American stepside pickup. Built like the proverbial Sherman tank and about as forgiving, Chevrolet, Ford, International, Studebaker, GMC and Dodge all made them and they all featured the exact same thing. That superb stepside profile and the ability to last to a degree if you hits an American 50’s pickup wing with a lump hammer you won’t make a dent. Nothing but nothing is built like one of these trucks. And don’t be put off by the light surface rust or various coats of paint, it doesn’t make the slightest difference. In fact it adds to the appeal!

 

 

 

Fitted with a variety of engines from 4 or 6 cylinder straights to big bruiser V8’s all usually mated to a column shift 3-speed transmission, these Yank commercials more often than not outlasted their first, second and third owners. Whether you fancy a full restoration, fit new running gear but leave the bodywork as a rustoration, go rat rod or full low rider custom complete with a short block Chevy with four on the floor, throw the Mopar book at it, drop in a big turbo Cummins diesel or drag it up with big chrome rims and a SoCal airbrush paint job, its all OK with a 50’s pickup.

 

 

This trio of trucks over in Yorkshire were all Ford F-100 of varying ages plus some mobile numbers to call if you’re so interested. As to whether they still had an engine who knows or better still, who cares. Get a proper gas flowed V8, a decent auto shift, power steering, some wide mag alloys or deep dish steels and a straight thru onboard and apart from some instrumentation of your personal choice and a proper mega watt hifi, you’ll be ready to blister some tarmac or look the mutt’s nuts on a summer evening’s cruise. Just think of it, a pair of Steve McQueen shades, an Oily Rag t-shirt, Redwing boots, a soft pack of Camel with a Zippo and Joe Satriani playing Summer Song….what more do you want?  

 

 

 

 

More years ago than he cares to remember the AR had the good fortune to have to test drive and photograph some of these trucks and came away mighty impressed. Yes, they weigh a bollocks swelling ton to drive, get bloody hot inside, don’t have a single driver aid and drink fuel like a coach load of alcoholics on a bender. They were built to last, turn heads to a degree Italian super car owners get seriously jealous and are without doubt one of the best babe magnets you’ll ever own or drive. There ain’t a chick out there that won’t get it wet and sticky for a rubber burning F-100 and the dude driving it! If not it’ll one of those ball kicker followers that are nothing more than a drain on yer wallet! Well sorted there’s nothing like one of these American trucks be it looks, presence or sheer style and you can guarantee you’ll have one of the best, iron clad investments ever to have four wheels lashed onto it.   

 

 

 

The only thing you need to go with it is an Indian Classic and the contents of your garage is complete. So take the old AR’s advice and go check out these 50’s Fords. The old git guarantees you’ll be heading home with one……….rock on!