Current Project - ‘51 Ford F1 Pick-up

This vehicle is a one-of-a-kind original hand-built creation. The chassis and frame are entirely hand built, as are the cooling, fuel delivery, electrical, climate control and all other systems. A 350 cubic inch GM Generation 3 Ram Jet crate engine producing 350 horsepower with a custom drive train have been installed. The fully adjustable front and rear suspension is set up for drag racing as well as daily driving, designed to go from the street to the track with little to no changes. Chromed parts have been used judiciously considering both aesthetics and ease of maintenance.

This type of project is far more complicated and time consuming then any restoration. It is being built to create reality from a fantasy. The owner’s fantasy interpreted by the builder with much leeway given to creativity. The floor pan and footwells were extended to accommodate the stature of the owner.

The customer specified which components he preferred from top to bottom. The vehicle came with a good assortment of parts collected over a 10 year period intended for this vehicle.

Fiberglas work is involved. The front end is a single fiberglas unit that will tilt to access the engine for display and maintenance. The entire vehicle, both interior and exterior is being customized by ARC.

Work in Process Pictures

Frame graft of '75 Camaro front frame sector to '51 Ford frame. It was measured out correctly but the frame graft was structurally weak and misplaced.

Corrections to the frame graft were begun.

The X-frame member was hand built. Extra crossmembers and frame members were needed to accommodate this very high HP engine to be installed

Chassis set-up after paint with 4-bar link rear suspension.

Completed chassis with engine, transmission and exhaust system in place.

Hand made radiator support with 4-core custom radiator, A/C condenser and transmission cooler in place, with a dual Flex-A-Lite fan assembly moving 4000+ cfm. The cooling system is designed for use in Phoenix, AZ.