This ’53 Ford Pickup is another older restoration that has been saved rather than redone. The paint is almost 50 years old at this point, other than some miner body work that has been primed, and this hot-rodded pickup actually appeared in Hot Rod Magazine about 45 years ago! It was cool then, and it’s even cooler now.
It originally featured a tri-power 427 cubic-inch engine, but has since been upgraded. Sammie Kelley of Poulsbo, Washington, is the current owner of the truck, and he has done just a little bit to it since he bought it. The current engine still has the same displacement, but is now a blown 427 cubic-inch engine with an 8-71 blower and dual Demon carburetors. This truck puts out an impressive 732 horsepower!
“I dropped the motor down by 5-1/2 inches and slid it back by seven inches,” Kelley explained. “Everything fits great under the hood.” This was the first thing Kelley built when he got back into cars and trucks about ten years ago. He was originally looking for a ’55 Chevy truck when his accountant came across this one.
Also featuring an Art Morrison rear clip and 20-inch wheels, this is a tough truck that is ready to take on the best of them at the track. The custom look and performance feel of this truck has also been upgraded with the addition of VDO gauges on the dash and a stellar custom black leather interior job. To try and pick one favorite feature on this truck would be nearly impossible, but if you forced our hand, it might have to be that blown 427. What do you like most about it?
If you want your car or truck to be a part of our Street Feature series, all you have to do is shoot us an email and tell us about your ride and we will make it happen.