Spectacular pro-built resto-mod with a retro look. Show-quality body and paint, superb custom leather interior. GM crate 350 V8, TH400 transmission, Ford 9-inch, air suspension. Smooth, comfortable, and ready to start collecting trophies!

We’re at a loss to explain why ‘50s Ford pickups don’t get the same respect and admiration as their Chevrolet counterparts, but maybe this beautiful 1953 Ford F100 pickup will change things a bit. It’s an exceptional professional build with a huge stack of receipts on it, and while there are a lot of custom touches, the handsome Ford styling still delivers a knockout look. It’s all steel but details like the door handles, hood ornament, and bumpers have been shaved. The truck looks muscular crouched down over the fat modern radials, and the forward-pitched styling of the front end makes it look like it’s going fast just sitting still. The two-tone gray and silver paint is accented by a burgundy stripe that takes on a kind of custom look and adds just the right amount of contrast (and you’ll note that it wraps into the door jambs and under the hood). The bed features widened wheel tubs, beautiful oak planks, and a remote battery, along with a power-actuated hard-shell tonneau cover that’s really trick. Whatever chrome remains on the truck is fully restored and a few subtle pinstripe flourishes highlight the hood and tailgate for a traditional look. Custom LED taillights in the fenders are joined by a fabricated roll pan with built-in back-up lights and license plate holder so it doesn’t look like anyone else’s truck.

The spectacular leather interior is the centerpiece of this unique Ford. Aside from the beautiful stitchcraft on the power bucket seats, check out how the leather wraps into the door jambs, the cully custom dashboard, and the floating center console—none of that is off-the-shelf work. A tilt steering column holds a leather-wrapped billet wheel that matches the two-tone theme of the interior, and again, like the exterior, some burgundy accents add interest. Classic Instruments supplied the speedometer/tach unit that’s just ahead of the driver, with the auxiliary gauges neatly integrated into the center console. There’s also a Clarion entertainment system with touch screen that’s neatly integrated into the dash, and there’s plenty of tech, including a pair of USB ports on the center stack. The controls for the Ridetech air suspension make it easy to adjust the truck’s attitude and ride quality is excellent on the air springs. Thoughtful touches include a custom center storage bin between the seats, a neat digital shift position indicator, and OEM-style vents. Overhead there’s a custom console with built-in LED lighting and more contrasting stitch work that’s just gorgeous. There’s literally no surface inside this truck that hasn’t been customized and finished to a very high standard.

Power comes from a fresh GM 350 cubic inch V8 crate engine. It’s a neat fit in the Ford’s engine bay, and please, spare us the “Chevy in a Ford” comments, we’ve heard them all. They did a good job of anonymizing the powerplant using finned aluminum valve covers and air cleaner on top of an Edelbrock 4-barrel carb and aluminum intake. Accessories are polished and there’s an OEM look to the whole setup that we find appealing. It’s beautifully finished, but it’s also functional and easy to service. A big aluminum radiator keeps things cool and it includes both power steering and power disc brakes for easy handling. The transmission is a robust TH400 3-speed automatic that’ll stand up to anything the small block can dish out, as will the 9-inch Ford rear end which is full of 3.50 gears. The chassis is a custom Fatman Fabrication unit with rectangular steel tubing and includes a custom K-member with tubular A-arms and air springs, while a 4-link supports the rear. A custom stainless exhaust system features Magnaflow mufflers for an awesome sound and a new gas tank was fitted under the bed for safety and easy access. It’s nicely detailed but clearly set up for driving, including a front sway bar and easy-riding shocks that combine with the air suspension to make this truck feel more like a luxury car. Custom painted 15-inch wheels carry spinners, trim rings, and staggered 225/70/15 front and 31x10.50-15 rear Diamondback wide whitewall radials for a retro-cool look that really works.

Documentation includes notes on the build, receipts, and manuals for all the various systems.

We’re beyond impressed with this truck. There’s incredible attention to detail at every level and while it is a full custom, it doesn’t go too far and lets the original styling shine through. It’s also completely sorted but shows just test and tune miles, so it’s quite fresh. A beautiful Ford that deserves to push a few Chevys out of the way at any show you attend. Call today!

Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.