BITS FROM THE PITS
February 23, 2024
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THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
Showstopper
There are SEMA vehicles, and then there are SEMA vehicles. Do you want an explanation? Okay, all SEMA vehicles are built to show off a company’s part, but some vehicles are “built” with only that part on it and are otherwise stock. While we won’t say that these vehicles are totally a waste of time—some have shown a great deal of imagination—for the most part they don’t capture our attention, nor are they what you would consider to be mainstream vehicles.
IDIDIT in a Nova
As 40-somethings ourselves, we know how it is to get, shall we say, tired and worn out. And when the owner of this ’64 Nova figured that age had done its worst to the steering system of his car, it was time to replace it.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: McLeod’s RST Twin Disc Clutch Kit for the 2015-23 2.3L Ecoboost Mustang
Once your build starts making real power, the factory clutch becomes a liability. The McLeod RST Twin Disc Clutch Kit is engineered for high-horsepower street cars that need serious torque capacity without sacrificing drivability. This is a street-focused twin disc clutch that delivers smooth engagement, consistent bite, and the confidence to put power to the pavement every time.
Spotlighter
Cool as ICE
This ’29 Ford Roadster Pickup Really Pops
Gary Brigham bought his 1929 Ford roadster pickup several years ago. There was just something about it that he liked. First and foremost, it was a pickup. Even though he was not planning to haul any building materials, he did need the bed room for transporting the pop-up tent that he and wife, Janice, used at the many shows they attended. Second, it was a roadster, and he wanted an open car. The roadster pickup fulfilled both requirements.
Author
Garry McWhirter
Story & Photography
The Original Build
The truck was typical of street rods built some 20 years ago. The original chassis had been modified to accommodate a late-model rearend. The power came from a 350 Chevy, and the front suspension was a four-bar tube axle design. The truck proved to be dependable and served Brigham well. As time passed by and the miles added up, Brigham went on to build a ’33 Ford sedan and later a ’32 LaSalle four-door. The pickup got less attention and was eventually moved to the rear corner of the garage, but it was never forgotten. Brigham always said that he would someday rebuild the ’29 in a more magnificent fashion. That “someday” came in early 2004.
Partnering with T&T Customs
After making the decision to rebuild the roadster pickup, Brigham was then faced with the task of finding a quality shop to do the work. His search led him to T&T Customs in Canton, Georgia. T&T owner Ted Thomas had built some outstanding street rods and customs that had attracted attention and notoriety at a few national events. At the Detroit Autorama, Ted has been in the Great 8 seven times and the car he built won the Ridler Award in 2010, a 1933 Ford Phaeton called the Gold Digger. Besides that, Ted’s shop was close to Brigham’s home in Kennesaw, Georgia. The two discussed the project and devised a plan to perk up the pickup.
A Complete Overhaul
Brigham delivered the pickup to the T&T shop to be completely torn apart. The original frame was replaced with a more stable TCI unit. T&T installed a stainless steel 9-inch Ford rearend housing and added Currie 3.42 Positraction gears along with Aldan coilover shocks. Up front, T&T installed a completely polished Kugel independent suspension that also included Aldan coilovers. The spindles were dropped 2 inches to give the truck a very low stance. Brigham had Zimi in Charlotte, North Carolina, construct slotted titanium brake rotors that were used on all four corners with Wilwood calipers.
Building a Monster Engine
Brigham delivered a 502 Chevy crate engine to Tim Spears at Pro Boat in Woodstock, Georgia, for a little “tweaking.” Tim installed the Brodix aluminum heads, a Comp Cams 620 camshaft, MSD ignition and an Edelbrock aluminum intake with two Edelbrock 750 carbs. The potent package topped the dyno at 650 horsepower. T&T coupled the engine to a GM Turbo 400 transmission before dropping it into the new custom chassis. Due to the confined area of the Model A engine compartment, Ted Thomas used a custom Meziere electric water pump to push the coolant through a Walker radiator. He also fabricated a custom air box in the shape of a miniature Model A hood. T&T painted the air box and valve covers to match the exterior of the truck. Rewarder built the custom stainless headers that were coupled to the complete polished stainless exhaust system.
Classic Exterior with a High-Tech Edge
Brigham’s plans for the exterior of the pickup were simple. He really liked the classic lines of the Model A and did not want to stray very far away. What he wanted was just a “high-tech” resto rod. With that in mind, the crew at T&T stripped the original body down to the bare metal. It was at that time they found a date stamped in a lower corner of the cab. It read “12/28/28.” This truly was an original body. T&T prepped the body, fenders and bed for paint. Brigham got new running boards and a three-piece hood from Brookville Roadster. T&T made a rear roll pan under the bed to clean up the rear of the truck and provide a spot to mount the license plate. With all the metalwork smoothed to perfection, Ricky White applied the PPG Lamborghini Ice Blue tri-coat paint, and T&T painstakingly reassembled the pickup. A 2-inch chopped windshield was placed on the cowl. Both the headlights and taillights remained stock. In a gesture to tradition, Brigham mounted Goodyear rubber on a set of American Torq-Thrust wheels, 17 inches in the rear and 15 inches up front. The combination worked out just perfectly.
Custom Interior with Traditional Flair
Brigham wanted something just a little less conventional inside the truck, but he also did not want to stray too far from tradition. The folks at T&T peaked and smoothed the original dash to accept a custom billet insert housing a set of Classic Instruments gauges. They mounted an American Racing steering wheel to a Flaming River steering column. The shifter, gas and brake pedals all came from Lokar. Brigham then delivered the truck to Wayne and Pam McGriff at M&M Hot Rod Interior in Holly Pond, Alabama. The only instructions were to create an interior that grabs your attention but does not overwhelm. M&M used rust-colored Haartz cloth for the top and added a matching suede headliner inside. Wayne and Pam next built a seat that looks modern with a traditional flavor. They covered the seats and door panels with tan leather using a traditional rolled and pleated pattern. Crocodile inserts were added to the seats, the kick panels and the shifter boot, and they blend well with the suede headliner. The results were just what the owner requested.
The Road to Awards
Brigham has not been hauling much in the way of supplies in the back of his pickup since its completion. He has been hauling home a pile of awards, though. There have been several Best of Shows and, more recently, a Top 25 at the Shades of The Past rod run. But the largest feather in his cap has been being named Goodguys’ Street Rod Truck of the Year. While the awards have been nice, the biggest thrill he has enjoyed has been driving the truck. He says it “drives like a dream.” We know it would have to be a real kick in the pants to stand on that big 502-cubic-inch engine. Then again, just being seen in the truck would be as cool as ice.
