In the world of tech companies and electric-powered everything, the rumble of this F-100's V8 is a breath of fresh air!
Sticking Out
The custom 1965 Ford truck featured in this slideshow captures our imagination not only for its pure awesomeness, but also due to its uniqueness within its environment. This beautifully-built, V8-powered beast driving through the tech capital of the world is as amazing as it is probably unsettling to the residents of Menlo Park, California.
Photos: Fuel Curve
For The Love of Classic Cars
John Laporga has been a lifelong fan of classic vehicles. He's also a man who likes to work with his hands. The mechanical engineer has been building steam engines and other types of machines for years. His love for customs can be traced back to his childhood, and the fact that he bought a 1954 Ford Customline when he was 18 years old.
>>Join the conversation about this classic F-100 right here in the Ford-trucks forum.
Father/Son Project
Like any proper car addict, he's constantly looking for his next project, scouring through the web for hidden gems. And this Ford was one he found on Craigslist. The truck has previously served as a father/son project. And although it needed quite a bit of work to reach John's standards, the father and son had done a great job of painting the truck in their barn!
>>Join the conversation about this classic F-100 right here in the Ford-trucks forum.
New Motor
Having brought the F-100 home, the first order of business was swapping out the motor. He replaced the original 390 ci motor and transmission with a 302 ci V8 he had laying around in his shop. He went all out adding performance goodies to the motor before hooking it to a T5 transmission.
>>Join the conversation about this classic F-100 right here in the Ford-trucks forum.
On the Inside
The last piece of the powertrain puzzle was the exhaust system, where he installed a set of Thrush glass packs to perfect the note. Moving into the cabin, John wanted a quieter ride, so he added in five rolls of Dynamat. The factory bench seat appears to be in decent shape for now, but the headliner will be next on the list of interior upgrades. The new stereo adds a touch of modernity to the classic truck.
>>Join the conversation about this classic F-100 right here in the Ford-trucks forum.
Rounding Things Off
Exterior modifications are kept to a minimum, but a set of 15-inch steelies was a must-have for John. He uses the F-100 as a daily driver unless he's taking his old Triumph motorcycle out for a ride in the wind. The bike is also a testament to John's skills, as he built the whole thing using parts he had lying around at his shop. This beautiful machine will continue to add a much-needed contrast to the streets of Silicon Valley.
>>Join the conversation about this classic F-100 right here in the Ford-trucks forum.
For help with your do-it-yourself maintenance and repair projects, please visit our how-to section in the forum.
