Most of us grew up in a gearhead family. But maybe not quite as hardcore as a guy named JP Koop!
Little Bit of This
Many of us were lucky enough to grow up with gearhead fathers. Guys who wrenched on their own rides and often smelled of things like leather and oil. The same goes for JP Koop of Hudsonville, Michigan, but his experience growing up was a little bit, well, different. Mostly because Koop's dad owned a full 30+ cars and trucks. Growing up around such a certifiable car nut also meant that Koop's taste in cars covers a pretty wide range. This is evident today by looking at his sweet '57 Ford pickup, recently featured in Hot Rod.
Photo courtesy of Hot Rod
Logical Path
The big difference between Koop and his dad, however, was that pops preferred to keep his vehicle's bone stock. Koop spent his childhood hopping up everything from models to go-karts before scoring a 1969 Mustang with a 428 as his first real ride. From there, the younger Koop fell in love with the Blue Oval, restoring everything from a 1952 F2 to 1966 F-100. But it was only after Koop became successful running his transportation company, Koleaseco Inc., that he had the means to do what he really wanted.
Photo courtesy of Hot Rod
>>Join the conversation about this 1957 F-100 right here in Ford-trucks.com.
Cool but Dependable
Koop developed an affinity for 3rd generation F-100 pickups, specifically the 1957 model. After locating a rust-free example and shipping it home, Koop got together with Gas Axe Garage in Allendale, Michigan to formulate a build plan. The basic concept was to give the old truck a killer stance, a few unique custom touches, and a dependable drivetrain. The last box was easily checked with a warmed-over and refreshed 4.6-liter V8 torn from a Crown Victoria. Aluminum heads, hypereutectic aluminum pistons, and a sequential fuel-injection system give it a little boost over the stock setup.
Photo courtesy of Hot Rod
>>Join the conversation about this 1957 F-100 right here in Ford-trucks.com.
Simple yet Modern Stitching
The inside of Koop's '57 is likewise simple, yet with a few modern touches to make it more comfortable for long-distance highway trips. The custom bench seat is covered in black and white stitching, with matching carpet and door panels. Dakota Digital gauges allow Koop to monitor the important vitals while he grabs the GT3 Retro steering wheel mounted to an Ididit column. Finally, Vintage Air keeps the inside of the cab nice and cool on those hot summer cruise days.
Photo courtesy of Hot Rod
>>Join the conversation about this 1957 F-100 right here in Ford-trucks.com.
Keeping It Classy
The body of this old Ford was solid, so most of the work on the outside consists of a little shaving and some louvers on the hood and tailgate. A custom air ride setup, Crown Vic IFS front suspension with 2-inch drop spindles, and 4-link rear suspension give the old Ford a ground-hugging stance. Throw on a set of 15-inch Rocket Racing Injector-series wheels, and you've got a classy truck that isn't too modern for its own good. But it is a nice example of what a diverse childhood can do for you!
Photo courtesy of Hot Rod
>>Join the conversation about this 1957 F-100 right here in Ford-trucks.com.
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