Ernie Ricard’s 1939 International D-30/1934 Ford Custom Build

We found an interesting custom in the farming town of Millet, in Alberta, Canada — about 25 miles from Alberta’s capital city of Edmonton. Famous for the “Millet Massacre,” a celebration that includes live bands and various fermented barley-based adult drinks, the community is generally a peaceful place with few attractions.

Ernie Ricard’s custom blend of a 1939 International D30 and a 1934 Ford pickup is purpose-built on a chassis for high horsepower, giving this beast an international flavor that is not seen in the Southern hemisphere. We call this build “Northern Exposure.”

Millet’s soon to be “largest attraction” will undoubtedly be Ernie Ricard’s 1939 International D-30/1934 Ford custom. Ernie told us that he had invested more than $60,000 dollars to build this custom rod in slightly over a year, and was finished in early 2010.

Ernie admitted to being a custom fanatic from youth. “Since I was a child, I just started pulling toy cars apart and making them faster, adding shiny parts and seeing how I could make them different from everyone else’s.”

His previous car builds include a 1927 Ford street rod and a 1932 Five Window coupe, among several others. With his most recent build, “I wanted something totally unique,” he explained. After going through the typical 1927 and 1932 Ford street rod builds, Ernie found his yearning for a custom filled with his most recent creation.

Although completed six years ago, the custom build is still yet to be named. We suggested that Ernie consider using the name “Northern Exposure” due to the region’s reputation for supporting high horsepower custom builds without apologies to any government agency. The 2,100-pound pickup certainly takes on a global appearance with the combined International D30/early Ford Truck basic body components.

“I don’t know what the best 1/4-mile run time is because they won’t let me on the track until I add more roll cage,” Ernie said. “I don’t know the top speed because I am not keeping my foot in it that long! It gets crazy pretty quickly.”

The 572 cubic-inch big-block Chevy is topped with dual Holley 750 double pumpers and a traditional Weiand 871 blower. This combination helps the engine package reach over 800 horsepower on the engine dyno. Ricard claims it was built as a mild street engine. It may be streetable, but it is not mild by any stretch of the imagination.

History Of The Build

“Everything went pretty much as planned,”Ernie said. “There wasn’t too much interesting that happened in the build.” Ernie did say that the build had too many favorite parts to list just one or two, but he was pleased with the overall completed look and the engine build.

“I found the body items and then started the chassis build,” he claimed. “I started building the chassis with a vision of large horsepower.”

The interior is fully custom with traditional bomber seats providing the base for the compartment. A theme of riveted custom panels is represented throughout.

“In my opinion, the truck tells the story itself,” Ernie said. “The vision of the old school hot rod with large horsepower and a very unique look. I know I can drive this anywhere in the world and I will never see another.”

Doubling down on his commitment, Ernie states, “There is nothing I would change in this build. I love it the way it is. The dash is signed by Henry Winkler and George Barris.”

The glove box panel is signed by Henry Winkler (aka “The Fonz”) who put in writing, “This is cool.” The late George Barris also signed the panel next to Winkler’s autograph.

What Is Next

“I am also working on a 1932 Hudson Essex Terraplane Super Six Five Window coupe with a small-block Chevy blower engine all tucked under the hood,” Ernie claims. “This one will not have the old school look and will be more of the type of hot rod that is built with all the newer technology and performance while still leaving it with the same body style.”

We asked the 50-year-old builder what motivates him to continue building these customs. “I just love to stand back and see it when its done and say ‘that is awesome.’ I think that I enjoy the building more than I do driving them.”

Specifications:

Chassis Modifications

  • Suspension Front: Lucky 7 I-beam straight axle with traditional style hair pins and shocks
  • Suspension Rear: Race ready race car four-link
  • Shocks: TCI coilovers
  • Steering: Custom traditional side steering arm, Flaming River steering box
  • Frame Mods: Custom built boxed frame
  • Brakes: 1963 Finned aluminum front brake drums, custom front and rear brake drum kits

Body Modifications

  • Body Mods: Roof chopped 4 1/2 inches; box was shortened and narrowed
  • Misc.: Custom laser-cut stainless steel door emblems welded to the doors along with rivets to finish the look.
  • 1939 Beer keg for the fuel tank

Engine/Drivetrain

  • Engine Make: Chevrolet
  • Bored: 572 cubic inches
  • Camshaft: Comp Cams
  • Rotating parts: Callies Crank, Carrillo Rods, BRC forged blower pistons, Dart stud girdles, Jesel roller rockers
  • Cylinder heads: Merlin
  • Intake manifold: Weiand 871 blower
  • Carburetor/Injection: Dual Holley 750
  • Header/exhaust: Custom
  • Ignition: MSD
  • Transmission: Turbo 400 built to 1,200 hp with Hurst line lock and trans brake
  • Shifter: B&M
  • Rearend Type: Narrowed Ford 9-inch with Bear Pro Street 3.89 Gears, Strange axles and billet nose/yoke, extended race studs
  • Dyno results: 800-plus hp, 800-plus TQ ( it was built as a mild street engine)
  • Performed By: Engine built by BEL Engines in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Wheels/Tires

  • Wheels: Custom Artillery style rims painted orange: front 15×6-inch, rear 15×8-inch
  • Tires: Firestone Nostalgia whitewalls

Paint

  • Brand and Colors: Flat black
  • Misc: Orange and white pinstriped by hand

Interior

  • Seats: Bomber style with five-point harnesses
  • Dash: Custom
  • Gauges: Moon Eyes
  • Custom work: Riveting and pinstriping
  • Stereo: None, you would not hear it anyway

About the author

Bobby Kimbrough

Bobby grew up in the heart of Illinois, becoming an avid dirt track race fan which has developed into a life long passion. Taking a break from the Midwest dirt tracks to fight evil doers in the world, he completed a full 21 year career in the Marine Corps.
Read My Articles

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