Powered by a GM LS3 V8, this 1961 Ford F-100 restomod is a beautiful sleeper, controversial as it may be.
Apple of My Eye
Hot Rod's Power Tour is an epic, long-running event that many associate with high-power muscle cars and street rods. But there are plenty of cool old trucks that participate as well, including this awesome 1961 Ford F-100 that caught the legendary mag's eye on this year's tour.
Photos: Hot Rod
True Standout
Hot Rod spotted Brad and Jill Eales' F-100 while the tour was taking a pit stop at Martinsville Speedway. So what made it stand out? Turns out, a few cool features that separated the pickup from the rest of the pack.
Positive Attributes
"It sat lower than the cars around it," Hot Rod noted. "It had what looked to be original paint. The interior was spotless and the wheel-and-tire combo looked great with the color and profile of the body. Easy to spot, really."
Less Stress, More Fun
The Eales are fans of high-end builds like this one, which feature an updated suspension and drivetrain yet a less-than-perfect body. "Those cars are comfortable," Eale said. "You can lean on them, there is less stress, and more fun."
New Where It Counts
For this particular build, Eale teamed up with Dalbey’s Hot Rod Shop. They retained the truck's original patina but notched the frame to get it down low. Then, they fitted the pickup with a front suspension and differential from No Limit Engineering.
No Air
Unlike many similar builds, there is no air suspension to get it this low. The whole trick was accomplished through suspension and frame mods. And that's pretty impressive all by itself.
Familiar Route
Eale chose to go the GM route in terms of drivetrain, stabbing an LS3 and 4L70E in the old truck. But he did modify the coilovers with what looks to be an old Thunderbird design, though he's not fooling us.
Fancy Insides
What this F-100 lacks in fanciness on the outside it more than makes up for inside. There you'll find a beautifully stitched red interior with a newly covered seat, carpet, and matching steering wheel.
Staggered Set
The truck sits on a set of attractive, old school 18×8 and 18×10 E.T. wheels wrapped in staggered 295 rubber outback, with 245s taking up space upfront.
Long Hauler
Despite Eale's reaction to Hot Rod's interest, it's really no surprise to us that they fell in love with his pickup. Heck, we did too. Perhaps nitpicking, but if only he had stuck a Coyote under the hood instead of an LS3, we'd say that it's the perfect long hauler!
Photos: Hot Rod
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