Some projects are about more than just pride and accolades. This classic 1955 F-100 is one for the books.
There's a bigger story than just mods
The owner of this 1955 truck, Shane Sonneveldt, built this truck with hopes of winning STREET RODDER’s BFIAF award and his creation ended up doing just that. His classic pickup was completely built in-house by Brian Moat along with his team at All Speed Customs. Before we get into all the work that has gone into the truck let's backtrack to when Shane first got the truck 36 years ago... on his 13th birthday.
Time for a rewind
Way back in 1982, Shane's dad Robert bought the truck as a birthday gift that would be a father & son bonding project. “We quickly disassembled the truck, stripped and painted the frame, installed a new front suspension and a 9-inch rear, built a junkyard Chevy 350 motor and TH400 trans, and roughed out all the bodywork. Then the realities of working with a hard-headed teenage boy overtook the project, and the truck ended up in storage while the I focused on Trans Ams and Mustangs.” Sadly, the F-100 was then relegated to just being moved from one storage place to another until the late 90's when Robert had decided to sell it.
In good hands
Time jumping from then to 2010 and Robert has been diagnosed with cancer. A good friend of the family tracked down the F-100 and Shane bought it quickly. In the time since Robert had sold the pickup, some work had been done, but no major changes had taken place. Shane then passed the potato over to Brian and All Speed Customs where the truck finally saw justice and was finished. “My dad used the truck daily for the next five years in the Michigan summers, hauling pop-up campers and grandkids, running errands, moving furniture, and commuting to chemotherapy appointments.”
Passing it back
In 2016 Robert Sonneveldt passed away. Shane then sent the F-100 back to All Speed Customs where the next phase of changes was to take place. The bodywork was upgraded with numerous mods including gapped panels and hidden tailgate latches. After those exterior changes, a deep coat of high-shine Raven Black with matte gray was laid on the roof, grille, wheels, and bed wood.
Below the surface
Underneath it all, the frame is suspended by Total Cost InvIndependent front suspension, four-link rear, and RideTech double adjustable coilovers. Fifteen-inch Wheel Vintiques steel wheels find themselves wrapped in BFG Silvertown whitewalls, with 12-inch disc brakes to bring things to a stop. For an engine, Shane kept things in the Blue Oval stable: “My dad was an old hot rodder who felt that a Ford body should be powered by a Ford V8,” he explained. “This powertrain was specifically chosen to keep a Ford motor in the Ford truck, and offer modern horsepower and reliability for regular use.” Mated up to that Coyote V8 were a 6-speed automatic transmission and a Ford 9-inch rear with 3.55 gears.
One day it'll go to the kids
In the cabin, there is a custom bench that is upholstered in red leather and suede. The carpet chosen is a German weave that was selected to match the upholstery and the door jambs are accented with horizontal trim pieces. The steering wheel was sourced from a 1944 Lincoln Zephyr. For the sound system Pioneer and JLA Audio components from K2 Audio fill the tab. Vintage Air Air Conditioning keep things nice and cool for the occupants.
Despite the award ready shape the truck looks you can still catch Shane driving the pickup around town with his kids along for the ride.
>>Join the conversation about the F-100 with a V8 right here in the forum.
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