A total lack of resources didn't stop this Swede from building his personal dream truck, an American 302 Tuff Dawg hot rod with an old/new theme.
Swedish Dream
For those of us who reside in places like the good old U.S., building our dream truck is pretty easy. Well, so long as you have the means to do so. Simply hop on the Internet, order what you need, or just call up your local restoration shop. But when you live out in the countryside of Ankarsvik, Sweden like Mikael Bjork, you aren't afforded such luxuries. So when Bjork set out to build his dream truck - a 1928 Ford - he had to get creative. And yet, the finished product was so nice (and his story so interesting) that Hot Rod had to get in on the action.
Photo courtesy of Hot Rod
Becoming a Hot Rodder
Bjork grew up in Sweden, a place obsessed with American muscle. But it was his first viewing of the iconic movie American Graffiti that turned the Swede into a hot rodder. Many years of yearning and searching finally netted him his first American V8-powered ride when he found this old Ford in Long Beach, California. It was so solid and complete that Bjork decided to leave the stock bodylines mostly alone. But the rest would receive the proper treatment, of course.
Photo courtesy of Hot Rod
>>Join the conversation about Mikael Bjork's Swedish dream right in Ford-trucks.com.
Right Mix of Old and New
The first order of business was getting this old charming truck to sit and drive just right. The original frame was first sandblasted, then boxed and blessed with new custom cross members. A 4.11-geared 9-inch Ford rear end went out back, suspended in place by a custom 4-link setup. To get the front end hugging the ground, Bjork added a 5-inch drop axle with the late '30s to early '40s Ford spindles. Modern 4-piston, 11-inch disc brakes now reside at all four corners but are covered up by old school 15-inch Wheel Vintiques smoothies and big/little wide whitewall tires.
Photo courtesy of Hot Rod
>>Join the conversation about Mikael Bjork's Swedish dream right in Ford-trucks.com.
Keeping the Ford All Ford
Unlike many street rodders of yesterday and today, Bjork wanted to keep his Ford all Ford. So he wisely sourced a 302 from Tuff Dawg Engines that would give him plenty of reliable power. The 1968 model block was freshly machined and stuffed with new components, including Keith Black 10:1 pistons. With a Comp cam, worked-over stock heads, and Edelbrock intake and carb, we're guessing the old Ford has more than enough power to spin those Coker tires out back.
Photo courtesy of Hot Rod
>>Join the conversation about Mikael Bjork's Swedish dream right in Ford-trucks.com.
The Dream Lives On
Inside, Bjork's truck follows the classic hot rod mantra of clean and simple. A custom bench covered in brown leather, along with matching door and kick panels, adds a touch of luxury. The Budnik steering wheel is likewise trimmed in brown leather, and it's adjustable thanks to the Flaming River column. Keeping with the old/new theme, Vintage A/C flanks old school Mooneye gauges. All of which is proof that no matter where you live, the hot rod dream is alive and well!
Photo courtesy of Hot Rod
>>Join the conversation about Mikael Bjork's Swedish dream right in Ford-trucks.com.
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