THE PHOENIX RISES AGAIN
July 16, 2023
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
Dare To Be Different
There are a few things you need to know about Sonny Wells. First, Sonny, who is a cabinetmaker in Clearwater, Florida, owns an Elkhart Blue 1967 Corvette with a black stinger hood. Actually, his wife, Jill, lets him share the Corvette with her. Second, Sonny has always had a hankering for an old truck. Third, Jill was tired of sharing the Corvette with Sonny and having to listen to him constantly complain that he wanted an old truck. With that in mind, Sonny began his quest for an old pickup.
FOX-BODY SPOTTER’S GUIDE
Fox-body cars changed over the years, usually for the better. So, while everyone can spot a Fox Mustang, we decided to take the time to compile photos of some of the more popular Fox variations so that you can tell just what you’re looking at the next time you head to a car show or dragstrip. Sadly, we can’t provide an absolutely comprehensive guide to spotting every Fox-body model produced. Some of these cars, such as the Mercury Marquis, are just too rare in enthusiast circles for us to have a single example of one in our photo library. We’ve also included a few pictures of historic Fox-platform racecars, for no other reason than we like them, and thought you would, too. So, if you don’t know an SVO from a Turbo Coupe from an XR7, study this guide so that you, too, can become a true Fox fan.
GTD Speedster
While Ferrari, Corvette and other historic vehicles may come to mind upon seeing these bodylines, the GDT Speedster stands alone as a prime example of advanced engineering, creativity and, most of all, individuality. Constructed of fiberglass over a steel frame/chassis structure, the fit and finish is as good as it gets, as it shows the real-world functionality of this one-of-a-kind machine.
Spotlighter
SECOND TIME’S A CHARM
Mark Coleman Breathes New Life Into This Classic Ford
Author
Josh Kaylor
Story & Photography
Longtime classic truck enthusiast Mark Coleman has built countless classic cars and trucks over the years, including a trio of early Mustangs, a ’56 F-100 Ford panel truck and a ’55 Ford SuperCab, which have graced these very pages. When it came time to build another truck, Coleman took a long, hard look in his own backyard and decided that his old ’53 F-100 would be the prime candidate.
Coleman originally built the truck more than 20 years ago as a daily driver, which served him well for more than a decade until the pickup was hit by another driver. This incident put the old truck out of commission for more than 15 years, until Coleman decided it was time for a new project.
Coleman used the original running gear and frame on another project, leaving him without a base for the project, so Coleman built a new chassis complete with Volare clip and 9-inch rear. After discussing the new chassis with friends, he found himself loading the chassis onto a trailer and selling it to a friend. Now, without a chassis and a little jingle in his pocket, Coleman decided to build the chassis of his dreams.
With welder and cash in hand, he began his newest creation using boxed rails with a tubular inner structure and Corvette C4 components, which he picked up from a friend who had been storing the parts since they were new. Up front, an ’86 Corvette IFS provides the classic Ford with improved handling and ride, while the Corvette donated its independent rear suspension to the project. This combination provides the Ford with a lowered stance and outstanding handling. Coleman installed a 1-inch front sway bar and paired it with a 3/4-inch sway bar in the rear. The sway bars help to keep the Ford flat during cornering. To finish off all the new hardware, Coleman either repaired or polished all of the stock Corvette suspension and replaced the service items along the way. Dampening the ride of the Ford are Gabriel gas shocks on all four corners. The builder now had a chassis for the Ford and work could begin again on the truck’s body.
With the chassis now completed, Coleman began bringing the 50-year-old sheetmetal back to life. Work quickly progressed on the classic sheetmetal as Coleman removed the cowl vent and side emblems. Since Ford did not offer the big-window option until 1956, Coleman decided to purchase a retrofit kit and install the larger window into the rear portion of his ’53 cab, increasing both visibility and style points. After installing the big back window, Coleman moved onto more subtle repairs like repairing the rusty cab corners, floorboards and various areas that required some additional metalwork.
With the hard work out of the way, Coleman began toying with the idea of tweaking the front grille a little. At first glance, you may not notice the headlights, but they are no longer original. Coleman decided to remove the factory headlights and rings and exchange them for a set of ’34 Ford Commercial headlamps. This subtle modification looks great and is one of countless little touches on this Ford. After swapping the headlights, Coleman made the decision to add the ’34 Ford hood and side emblem in place of the bulky factory grille piece. With all of the modifications completed, Coleman sprayed a healthy coat of Mystic Silver over the truck. Once the truck was rubbed out and buffed, new chrome mirrors and door handles were installed.
While completing the body, power for the truck was being selected, but because every vehicle that leaves Coleman’s garage is a driver, this builder selected an ’84 Ford 302 small block for power. Since the truck is going to be driven to events all over the country, as well as to countless shows, Coleman kept the engine modifications to a minimum. He began by stripping down the 302 and adding a set of ported and polished Ford iron heads topped by a Power Plus polished intake and Edelbrock 600 carb. Exhaust exits through BBK headers and MagnaFlow mufflers to produce a beautiful-sounding exhaust note.
This rather mild engine approach produced around 275 reliable horsepower, backed by an equally dependable Borg-Warner T5 fitted with a bulletproof ZOOM 10-1/2-inch clutch. The five-speed not only allows Coleman full control of the gear ratio, but also provides the truck with plenty of cruising gear for highway long hauls. After all, that is what the truck was built for from the start—going places.
Once Coleman reassembled the truck, attention moved to the interior. With help from “Thumper,” the trim guy, Coleman designed and stitched a beautiful Lipstick Red leather interior. Since Coleman is a machinist by trade, he opted to design and build the custom gauge cluster, shifter and pedal trim for the Ford. The bucket seats were also built inside Coleman’s own garage. Buttoning up the interior is a Billet Specialties Outlaw steering wheel, tilt steering column, Vintage Air A/C and heat along with a set of Clayton Machine Works custom door handles.
After completing the four-year build of the F-100, Coleman has already put a few thousand miles on the beautiful silver pickup. During the truck’s first outing at the 2007 F-100 Supernationals in Knoxville, Tennessee, the truck was chosen for the Top Ten and landed a spot at the top of the hill. The truck not only took home various awards but also made the drive home flawlessly. We understand that Coleman loves his newly completed F-100 and is looking forward to racking up the miles on it. This is a great example of a good-looking truck that was built to be driven.
Coleman has long been a true fan of the American Racing five-spoke. Filling the massive ’53 Ford fenderwells is a set of 18x8- and 20x8-inch American Racing Torq-Thrusts
We admit that it took us a pass or two to figure out the headlight treatment. No mistaking that those are real ’34 Ford commercial headlights and hood trim.
This terrific styling treatment could be used on nearly any classic truck.
While the engine sounds evil thanks to the custom exhaust, Coleman opted to keep power at a minimum, retaining the detail and great looks of polished aluminum.
The interior of the F-100 is just as extravagant and clean as the exterior. Coleman, with help from fellow interior specialist “Thumper,” designed a beautiful interior. The custom gauge panel, shifter and trim were all designed and built by the owner.
Coleman designed and fabricated the custom aluminum panel that houses the trio of TPI instruments.
Check out the cool bed plugs Coleman designed to spruce things up. Each one features a small V-8 logo—as they say, it is all in the details.
Since Coleman knew he would be driving the truck and function was key, a small backup light was hidden beneath the truck inside the frame to allow for safe night driving.
’53 Build-Up
1. Here is the chassis with the recently installed Corvette components. Coleman acquired these components (with less than 2,000 miles) from a friend.
2. Coleman fabricated the custom tubular rear suspension bracketry that holds the Corvette suspension in place. All of the rusty Corvette parts will be removed and painted before final assembly.
3. Here’s the chassis with fresh red paint. Coleman polished and cleaned each individual aluminum component before reinstalling them onto the frame. This is one beautiful F-100 chassis.
4. All of the fabrication and work took place in Coleman’s home garage. The freshly rebuilt engine now rests in the framerails, and the driveline is complete.
5. Here, you can see the original window frame, which Coleman removed in order to install a big-window conversion.
6. The big-window installation was a success. The remainder of the truck needed only minimal patching to complete the build.
7. After reinstalling the cab and rear-window frame, Coleman began mocking up the reworked panels onto the truck. Coleman smoothed the hood and reworked the firewall.
8. Inside the cab, the owner built a set of custom bucket seats. Unable to find what he was looking for, Coleman cut down the original frames and built these subtle, flowing bucket seats.
9. After the welding and fitment were complete, Coleman tore the truck back down to the frame and began the extensive bodywork that the truck needed. The cab was tilted up so the smooth firewall could be perfected.
10. The recently completed doors hang on their custom jigs awaiting the cab. Coleman color-sanded and buffed each individual panel before final reassembly.
11. With the cab now painted, it is reinstalled onto the frame and the new glass is installed into the truck. Coleman removed any imperfections in the firewall. The results speak for themselves.
12. The tired pickup bed needed a lot of attention prior to paint. Before reinstalling the bed onto the truck, Coleman installed the new red-tinted bed floor and polished strips into the bed.
13. After reworking the front grille to accept ’34 Ford commercial headlamps, Coleman smoothed and painted it before reinstalling it onto the truck. With the final work out of the way, the polished engine components are now installed and look great.
14. The truck is now nearing completion, lacking only the hood and tailgate, as well as the new wheels. Once the exterior work is completed, the red leather goods will be installed.
15.Finally, after more than 2 years of hard work, the truck is basking in the beautiful Tennessee sun. All that remains is the addition of the final interior components.
16. The Lipstick Red leather door panels and headliner are now complete, lacking only final carpet fitment and the seats, while the rest of interior is done.
