Creating a show winning custom vehicle demands an unwavering level of commitment. It will challenge your dedication, your imagination, your budget, and maybe even your marriage! And don't forget time. If the winner's circle is your goal, plan on dedicating a year or two at least to the project. Paul Gerritsen is lucky since his wife, Carol, is as active an enthusiast as he is, enjoying the sport together for the last 25 years. They can list several high-performance cars that have been in the garage but decided this time that a Pro Street truck was the right choice. Turning to eBay, Paul was happy to hear he was the winning bidder on a partially customized '48 F-1 pickup. He transported the truck to their Dandridge, Tennessee, home and started to work.
The tubbed bed uses '66 Chevy...
The tubbed bed uses '66 Chevy bedsides that have been boxed and reskinned. The tailgate was welded shut, stake pockets filled, and custom grille assemblies with LED taillights added. A Pro's Pick tonneau cover operates on linear actuators.
Since the goal was to create something that would stand out in a crowd of F-1s, the first stop was JR's Rods & Customs in Maryville, Tennessee. The team there completed the 4-inch top chop, suicided the doors, and designed the unique grille. At the same time, Chris Nash from Precision Rod and Custom in Sevierville, Tennessee, boxed and Z'd the frame, then narrowed the rear to accommodate the new Pro Street upgrades. Modern suspension components were incorporated, using Scott's Super Slam Mustang II independent front suspension with Air Ride Shock Waves. The rear uses a narrowed 9-inch Ford with 28-spline Moser axles, 4-link, Panhard bar, and a second pair of ShockWaves. Wilwood disc brakes with polished calipers and emergency brake, along with a new 14-gallon Rock Valley fuel cell completed the chassis mods.
Mating the partially customized body to the frame, Nash began adding dozens of unique elements to the 60-year-old sheetmetal, beginning with the bed. All the seams were welded shut and the new one-piece bed received a full-width tunnel inside to accommodate the fat tires and conceal the compressor and reserve tanks for the air suspension. The outside of the bed uses '66 Chevy bedsides, reskinned to conceal the new tube frame. To ensure an unbroken line, the roll pan was smoothed and the rear fenders extended to match. Linear actuators now open and close the flush-fitting tonneau cover. Up front, the one-of-a-kind grille was made from CNC-cut 6061 aluminum, then chromed. The tiny F-1 logos-left and right-are the turn signals and the distinctive headlights are from a Jeep Liberty.
Exercising great care, the minimal cut in the steel hood allows just the right amount of clearance for the bird-catcher scoop on the polished BDS 8-71 blower. The combination feeds pressurized air to the twin 650-cfm Quick Fuel Technologies carbs through reworked Ford steel heads. The Comp cam opens the Ford Performance valves and the MSD 6AL ignition provides precisely timed explosions. Sanderson headers with 3-inch ceramic-coated exhaust tubing and Flowmaster 40-series mufflers scavenge spent gases. The combination helps the 460-cid V-8 produce an awesome 542 hp and 618 lb-ft of torque. A Ford C6 trans with TransGo HP shift kit gets the power to the 9-inch Ford rearend, fitted with 3.50 gears, Eaton Truetrac differential, and Moser billet axles. Bob Myers of Performance Automotive Machine and Engines in Greenville, Tennessee, did the work. The truck finally became a roller, thanks to a set of Schott Performance "Camber" wheels-18x8 up front and 20x15 in the rear-fitted with Mickey Thompson Sportsman rubber, S/R 26x10R18LT (front) and S/R 33x18x20 (rear).
Moving inside, the custom interior is the work of Todd Kirk from Kirk's Kustom Upholstery in Corryton, Tennessee. Nine hides of perforated Finesse Hunter Green leather wrapped the '97 Acura seats and door panels. An upholstered bolster envelops the seats and Kirk even added graphics to the Passion Suede and Olive Green headliner. Emphatic II Brocade carpet covers the floor. The transplanted '41 Ford dash from Bitchin' Products holds a full complement of Auto Meter gauges, along with an ididit column and custom-made wheel from M&M Machine. The smooth fiberglass center console flows from the dash to the rear cab wall and conceals the controls for the air suspension, power windows, and electric tonneau cover. The final step for Precision Rod & Customs was spraying the custom blended shades of Kiwi Pearl and Khaki Pearl separated by pinstriping and silver leaf, applied by Brian Papa. Did Paul achieve his goal of creating a unique F-1? On the truck's first outing, it won the Show Promoter's Choice Award for the best vehicle at this year's F-100 Super Nationals. We'd say that Paul is off to a very good start!
The big 460ci Ford V-8 benefits...
The big 460ci Ford V-8 benefits from a hot rodder's dream sheet of performance additions. Beginning with the polished BDS 8-71 blower and a pair of Quick Fuel Technologies 650-cfm carbs, the 460 V-8 uses reworked Ford steel heads, a Comp cam, Speed Pro pistons, MSD ignition, Sanderson headers, and Flowmaster mufflers to produce a staggering 542 hp.
A Bitchin' Products '41-48...
A Bitchin' Products '41-48 car dash now holds a full complement of Auto Meter Sport Comp instruments. The custom machined steering wheel sits on an ididit column and the new fiberglass center console holds additional switches and gauges.
Reupholstered Acura seats...
Reupholstered Acura seats guarantee a comfortable trip wherever this F-1 goes.
The full-width hump inside...
The full-width hump inside the bed was created to allow room for the four-link, narrowed Ford 9-inch rear, and the fat Mickey Thompson 33x18x20-inch Sportsmen tires. It also conceals the components for the air suspension system. Everything in the bed was upholstered to match the interior.
The distinctive look comes...
The distinctive look comes from a 4-inch top chop with the roof line reshaped and the upper beltlines smoothed. Door handles on the suicide doors were shaved and the vent windows were eliminated. Jeep Liberty headlights and a custom aluminum grille reside in the new, one-piece front end. Panels were added to close the gap between the front fenders and running boards while the air suspension keeps the truck in close touch with the asphalt.