There's no getting around it; the Lamars are Ford enthusiasts to their core. In 2003, at the 25th Annual F-100 SuperNationals and Ford Family Reunion, we first met the Lamars: wife Charlene and the father and son build team of John and 12-year-old Hunter. Their freshly finished, red '55 F-100 caught our fancy. We featured the big-block Ford-powered beauty in the Mar. '04 issue of CCT. Well, ladies and gentlemen, we're happy to report that the Lamars outdid themselves. Guess whose silver-with-flames '56 F-100 captured our attention at the 27th Annual F-100 SuperNationals and Ford Family Reunion?
Earning a Top Four trophy, the tremendous truck won over the hearts and minds of the show's judges as well. Sparing no expense in creating the Effie, the Lamars began the frame-up build with a brand-new Total Cost Involved Engineering fully boxed F-100 frame. For suspending the front wheels, a TCI chrome and billet aluminum IFS with Lecarra coilover shocks was installed. To locate the Currie 9-inch differential, a TCI chrome four-link with Lecarra coilovers was employed. Behind the differential, a 21-gallon No Limit Engineering fuel tank was installed and plumbed with braided aluminum fuel lines. In addition, braided aluminum lines were utilized for the power-steering and braking systems. Once TCI had constructed the chassis, they took it apart and sprayed the framerails and differential-House of Kolors Tangelo Pearl.
Built by Dingler Racing in Atlanta, Georgia, the engine powering the Effie is a '78 Ford 528ci big-block. With dished pistons and modified heads, the powerplant has 10.5:1 compression and is fed by a Holley electric fuel pump and Holley 1050-cfm four-barrel carb. Woody's Transmissions, in the owners' hometown of Statesboro, Georgia, built a 2,500-stall converter and Moroso trans-cooler- equipped C6 to back the engine.
 |  Lakeston Mufflers of Statesboro,...  Lakeston Mufflers of Statesboro, GA, installed the Sanderson headers and fabricated the stainless exhaust system. A Be Cool aluminum radiator with electric fan and chrome overflow tank keeps the 600hp, 625lb-ft, 528ci V-8 engine from running hot-Pete Shottz' airbrushed flames not with- standing. March's billet aluminum serpentine system keeps the engine's accessories working in symphonic harmony. |  A Billet Specialties Torq-Thrust...  A Billet Specialties Torq-Thrust steering wheel, comprised of polished-billet aluminum and charcoal leather, encircles the performance and style-oriented dash cluster. Keeping the cab comfortable comes easily, thanks to the custom-installation of a Coyote Air HVAC system. |
 The all-new TCI chassis is...  The all-new TCI chassis is dressed in a delicious hue, House of Kolors Tangelo Pearl. Pete Shottz airbrushed the bottom of the No Limit Engineering fuel tank with a backwards Ford logo, so that the Blue Oval script reads left to right, when looking in a mirror. Those Georgia gents are clever and artistic! |  Underneath the rear window,...  Underneath the rear window, the Blue Oval airbrushed chrome logo is actually the third brake light. Notice also the TRUFORD personalized plate. |  Stock Ford headlights provide...  Stock Ford headlights provide bright eyes in the dark. Chrome bumper brackets support the stock stainless steel front bumper. |