Most first builds are full of problems and don't really turn out like you want them to. That certainly isn't the case with Dustin Foust’s stunning F-100.
1. Family Affair
When you think of first builds, you probably picture inexpensive trucks constructed on a budget and some bloody knuckles. But unlike most of us poor saps, Dustin Foust just happens to be the son of the owner of Classic Restorations of Southern Indiana. So as he turned the tender age of 13, he began searching for his dream truck - a 1953-1956 Ford F-100. The idea was to have the truck fixed up and ready by the time the younger Foust turned 16. It's safe to say that the result of those efforts, which scored a recent Hot Rod feature, is far nicer than some raggedly daily driver.
2. Start of Something Special
Foust and his grandfather spent a couple of weeks cruising around Southern Indiana and Northern Kentucky looking for a viable candidate. Interestingly enough, they found this 1955 F-100 stowed away in a local electrical parts store's back lot. Six hundred dollars later, it became Foust's 13th birthday present. But instead of having it ready by his 16th birthday, Foust found his project sitting and waiting after he began working full-time at his father's shop. Several years passed before he decided to have it ready for the 2016 Detroit Autorama. Many seven day work weeks later, his first build was finally ready to shine.
3. Polished Jewel
A ton of metal fab was required to get the rough F-100 back into shape. The fenders and hood remain stock, but the drip rails and cowl vent were shaved. A replacement bed with raised bed floor came from Midwest Early Ford, and Foust filled all the seams on the stock grille. After tucking the stock bumpers, the entire truck was either rechromed or covered in PPG PPG Black paint. The whole thing sits on a custom built tube frame, tucked over Billet Specialties Vintec 18×8 front and 20×9.5 rear wheels.
4. Comfy Confines
The modern retro theme continues inside, where you'll find acres of bright red leather. The stock dash was smoothed out and filled with Classic Instruments dials. Billet Specialties provided the steering wheel and tilt column, and Cutter’s Custom Stitchin’ took care of the upholstery work on the Classic Industries seat.
5. The Beast Within
As stunning as the rest of this truck is, you know that Foust couldn't stab just any old motor under the hood. Instead, you'll find a massive 545ci Ford mill with a killer Hilborn EFI setup on top. Goodies like Blue Thunder aluminum heads, custom headers and exhaust, and an MSD ignition wrap up the nasty and powerful package.
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