aking on the full build of any classic truck is a journey, allowing each owner to establish a game plan of priorities to follow as they get started. Regardless of whether it’s a home build or one involving concept designs and a pro shop, it’s one best taken on with plenty of research done and enough insight to try and set a timeline to accomplish each particular step. Now, imagine setting the particular goal of competing for the coveted Don Ridler Memorial Award at the Detroit Autorama to showcase the debut of your build and you’ve just raised the bar to the highest level in the custom car world. It’s a feat that demands an incredible amount of perseverance when trying to reach the goal, especially if you’re determined to do it in only 300 days. Steve Bloom of Thornhill, Ontario, Canada, met that objective, creating the alluring 1955 Ford F-100 laid out across our pages and, of course, there’s an amazing story to tell.
With a longtime passion for classic trucks, it was only a matter of time before Steve and his wife, Michele, commenced the search for a ’50s-era Ford truck to act as the base of the next project at their shop, Great North Hot Rods in Toronto. It’s no secret that searching out vintage steel is quite a task, especially if the main focus of your quest is to source a clean rust-free example. Having completed all attempts at sourcing a solid base in their region, they expanded the search to the Web. Eventually, an eBay auction caught their attention by a seller offering what appeared to be a clean 1955 Ford F-100 for sale in Florida. The hauler was presented as a rust-free roller with relatively new front sheetmetal, making it a perfect base to start with. Swapping cash for keys, the deal was made and they anxiously awaited its delivery.
Well, we all know the term “buyer beware” and what had been represented by the seller as a rust-free project turned out to be a train wreck once it was delivered and rolled off the trailer. Regardless of the situation, Steve forged ahead to see what might be saved. His investigation proved that the only thing salvageable would be the stripped-out cab. With the cab now sitting in the shop, he set out to establish a game plane along with Michele and good friend Tony DeLuca, keeping in mind his goal of pursuing the Ridler in a mere 300 days. His plan fused an equal amount of elegance with that of custom fabrication, a slammed stance, and performance updates to make it a standout.
When taking on a build of this magnitude it’s imperative that it all translates perfectly when it comes time to laying out the color choices. To create the defining signature of the truck, Michele got busy blending just the right combination of Glasurit golds and greens, coming up with a tone she labeled “Michele’s Gold.” Jesse Rogers at Deez then laid down the vibe, bringing everything to life. During reassembly, Oddball Kustoms added even more class with a set of custom taillights accented by plating from Mayfair Plating of Toronto and just enough white ash in the bed to complete the look.
To bring an equal amount of detail to the interior, the stock dash was shaved and filled with gauges from Dakota Digital to monitor the vitals while cool breezes from Vintage Air flow through custom vents by Jesse Phipps. A Billet Specialties steering wheel carves the road while shifts move through a 2006 Mustang unit and tunes flow thanks to Mike O’Connor of Newmarket who installed a Planet Audio head unit urged by JL Audio amps and speakers. Oddball Kustoms then fabricated custom door panels along with the center console while the seats are modified 2010 Ford F-150 items. Thanks to the creative efforts of Steve, Tony Deluca, and the stitching talents of Terry Coons of Ajax, Ontario, the interior surfaces were treated to a combination of tan and brown leather complemented by sand-toned Wilton wool carpeting.