Color photography is nothing new, it’s been around for ages. But it wasn’t until the early 1990’s that we began to see color become the standard in publishing. Up until that point the use of color in print had been only limited, the majority of many automotive publication’s content remained black and white. So in 1962 it was a big deal, that Hot Rod Magazine had begun the transition to color. The first vehicle featured in color in the storied magazine’s history was this 1953 Ford F-100 Pickup, featured in color in August 1962. 

Called the Mountain Pear, owned and built by Otto Rhodes, the heavily modified truck was making the show circuit rounds racking up awards nearly everywhere it went. Rhodes, a young man barely out of high school at the time was soon drafted into the armed services. Life intervened after his stint in the military and the truck was tucked away, although Rhodes had hoped to make it one more time through the show scene with the truck revised.

The dry climate of Colorado was the disassembled truck’s saving grace. Year’s later it was found and restoration begun by Tom Pagano of Pagano’s Rod and Custom in Sacramento, CA. With the help and guidance of Rhodes the truck was brought back to show car luster. Pagano had loved the truck since he was a young boy, and updated it according to Rodes’s plans. Old school methods including the use of lead for filler were employed in the resurrection.

The truck today features a tri-powered ford 390 FE engine, punched out to 406 cubic inches. The interior is completely custom, checkout the window to the engine compartment in the firewall, definitely reminiscent of early to mid 60’s rodding. While the red and white paint is modern, the rest of the truck is for the most part old school. There’s a custom grille, fully chromed drivetrain and lots of trick bodywork all around. This piece is a time capsule resurrected and preserved.

The Mountain Pearl was auctioned at the Mecum Anaheim event this month. With such a provenance of historical significance in terms of awards, and car features, this is one piece of history worth saving. We’re hoping the new owner will continue to show the truck and keep it preserved as the piece of rodding history that it is so we can see it in person again and again!