1938 Silver Bullet Ford Pickup Street Rod Rocks

Pop the windshield take in the cool summer night breezes in this retro classic.

By John Pritchard - February 3, 2021
Silver Bullet: 1938 Ford Pickup Street Rod Rocks
Silver Bullet: 1938 Ford Pickup Street Rod Rocks
Silver Bullet: 1938 Ford Pickup Street Rod Rocks
Silver Bullet: 1938 Ford Pickup Street Rod Rocks
Silver Bullet: 1938 Ford Pickup Street Rod Rocks
Silver Bullet: 1938 Ford Pickup Street Rod Rocks

There's a Breeze

Most restomods have new life breathed into them once they've gone under full restoration, complete with modern appointments in interior comfort, technology, and performance. This 1938 Ford pickup truck, however, has come a long, long way from the version of itself that rolled off the production line nearly one hundred years ago. Have no fear, however —its transformation from puttering pickup to full-fledged hot rod was well worth it. 

There's a Shadow

1938 Ford pickup trucks debuted an entirely new cab comprised of front-end sheet metal with a structurally separate bed. It would be the basic Ford truck build for the next decade until a redesign debuted in 1948. Anyone appreciative of Ford truck history will get a kick out of the available options on the 1938 Ford Half-Ton pickup truck. Among them were a radio (installed for a $50 upcharge) a sliding rear window instead of the standard static one as well as a windshield wiper and an interior heater fan. Coincidentally, the sliding rear window is not included in this particular restoration. 

>>Join the conversation about this 1938 classic right here in the Ford-Trucks forum.

A Sea of Skies

In lieu of an opening rear window, this restored 1938 Ford pickup features a pop-out windshield that allows the driver and passenger to take in summer breezes. In addition to a Vintage Air-brand cabin air-conditioning and heating system, this silver bullet has a variety of other features that bring it into this century. They include a Bluetooth compatible stereo system and power windows, neither of which, as you might imagine, were available in 1938. What really ties the interior together is the truck's two-tone vinyl bench seat. 

>>Join the conversation about this 1938 classic right here in the Ford-Trucks forum.

Tide Come in to Take Me Home

This truck has been retrofitted with a brand new 302-cubic inch Ford “Windsor” V8 engine with an Edlebrock-brand carburetor and a C6 automatic transmission capable of approximately 205-horsepower, a powerplant that offers about twice the output of the truck’s original engine. 

>>Join the conversation about this 1938 classic right here in the Ford-Trucks forum.

Dreaming of a Road Song

The dark-stained hardwood maple wood in-lays in the truck's bed play brilliantly off the high gloss silver paint job. 1938 Ford pickup trucks remain incredibly popular amongst restorers today for several reasons. They were very well built, which has allowed more than a few to survive —if only barely —when left to the elements, while decently and of course properly stored versions have still more life in them. In addition, their bare-bones concept from engineering leads to a versatile template with which to implement a variety of modern parts and engines. 

>>Join the conversation about this 1938 classic right here in the Ford-Trucks forum.

Catch a Silver Bullet

While many a Hot Rod truck restorer plays up their projects with bright colored paint jobs, it's the no-nonsense and tough all silver exterior of this truck that makes it standout —reminiscent of an old gangster movie or your favorite film noir selection. It's also proof to those planning their restoration that understated looks can often attract the eye of onlookers as much as flame bursts and diverse color schemes. 

>>Join the conversation about this 1938 classic right here in the Ford-Trucks forum.

For help with your repair and maintenance projects, please visit our how-to section in the forum

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