Daily Slideshow: Building a Ford F-100 to Make Poppa Proud
Like many of us, Rob Campbell has always owned a Ford truck. But this incredible restomod F-100 tops them all!
1. Ford Guy for Life
Rob Campbell was destined to become a Ford guy. After all, he spent his youthful years watching a revolving door of Ford trucks parked in his father's driveway. Even better, his dad was a do-it-yourself kind of guy who believed in doing things with your own hands, including vehicle repair. So it should come as no surprise that the younger Campbell has owned some sort of Ford truck his entire life, including a 2018 F-150 daily. But it was this, his incredible restomod F-100, that caught the discerning eye of Hot Rod.
>>Join the conversation about Building the perfect F-100 right here in Ford-Trucks.com.
2. Diamond in the Rough
Late model trucks are great and all, but like most of us, Campbell has a soft spot for the old trucks he grew up dreaming of owning. Thus, the search began for a suitable vintage candidate he could mesh with modern conveniences. It wasn't long before Campbell located a 1953 F-100 for sale not too far from his home. The truck still sported its original drivetrain, but the body and paintwork were quite simply atrocious.
>>Join the conversation about Building the perfect F-100 right here in Ford-Trucks.com.
3. Rocky Start
Most people would have taken a trailer with them on such a search, but Campbell was determined to drive his new ride home. And he did until it broke down just a few miles from his house. Undeterred, Campbell immediately began laying out his plans for this dream build. And he quickly discovered that simply making this old F-100 run and drive would require a rather long list. Soon, life got in the way and the project stalled for several years.
>>Join the conversation about Building the perfect F-100 right here in Ford-Trucks.com.
4. Couple of Caveats
But then, a stroke of fate happened back in the summer of 2015. Campbell met the good guys at Classic Car Studios (CCS) and went on over to check out their shop. He was obviously impressed with what he saw, and it also convinced him to let CCS take on his '53 as a total transformation project. The idea? Keep the original styling charm that these '50s Fords are so famous for, put a Ford engine under the hood, and everything else was fair game!
>>Join the conversation about Building the perfect F-100 right here in Ford-Trucks.com.
5. Frame That Interior
It's fair to say that Campbell made the right decision here because CCS worked some serious magic on this old F truck. The interior is quite simply a work of art, with beautiful Amber Glow distressed Relicate leather covering many of the surfaces, including a Glide Engineering bench seat. An original 1940s Ford steering wheel was also covered in the fine hide, and Classic Instruments gauges lend a nice retro look to the thoroughly modern insides.
>>Join the conversation about Building the perfect F-100 right here in Ford-Trucks.com.
6. Keeping It in the Family
Our favorite part of the build, however, can be found under the hood. Instead of going with the usual (and played out) GM motor, this baby's all Ford. A Ford Racing crate 302, specifically, producing 345 hp right out of the box. Behind the beefy mill sits an equally beefy Tremec TKO 5-speed manual transmission and a 9-inch Ford rear with 3.50 gears. All of which should be more than enough to light up the massive 335/30ZR/20 rear tires, which are wrapped around retro Boyd Coddington wheels.
>>Join the conversation about Building the perfect F-100 right here in Ford-Trucks.com.
7. Making Poppa Proud
Of course, you can't help but notice the incredible work CCS did on the exterior of this old F-100. Outside of a boatload of bodywork to get things arrow-straight, CCS deleted the bumpers and shaved the drip rails, cowl vent, and louvers. The running boards have been narrowed and tucked, the taillights frenched, and custom wheel tubs installed. And even the choice of hue is a nod to Campbell's youth. The custom mix of Glasurit green base/clearcoat was inspired by the color of his dad's 1976 Ford Elite. Needless to say, we're sure his poppa is more than proud of the result!
>>Join the conversation about Building the perfect F-100 right here in Ford-Trucks.com.
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