"camaroboy68ss" (camaroboy68ss)
02/27/2014 at 21:51 • Filed to: Classic Car Review
6
5|
"camaroboy68ss" (camaroboy68ss)
02/27/2014 at 21:51 • Filed to: Classic Car Review | 6
| 5 |
1933 was a down year in the USA. The country was still in the midst of the Great Depression. The Dust Bowl was causing havoc in the mid-west states, and people were just down on their luck, but there were a few bright spots. In 1933 saw the repeal of the 18 th amendment ending prohibition and the country was given back is its much missed alcohol (although it never really left), Ford had just the previous year released the soon to be iconic 32 Fords with the revolutionary flathead V8. 1933 saw a new refined car with the V8 with all new styling that was very different than the previous year. Also this pickup was produced and would eventually land into the hands of my grandfather.
In the style department the pickups and trucks were just some slight changes over the 32 and did not receive as much restyle as the cars did. In 1933 a pickup was used for what it was meant to be- a utility vehicle. Many wound up on farms and being used to haul anything and everything and taking a very good beating because the road system was still mostly dirt. They were not flashy and not fast but they got the job done for many years.
(Full Disclosure: This pickup was built when FDR was starting his first year of presidency and before the F-1 labeling of Ford trucks. Also there is nothing stock about this truck and Ford would probably not like that most of the running gear is out of a Chevy. This pickup is a huge part of my life because I have grown up in it. Also this is my first article on here so lets see how it goes.)
This 1933 Ford Pickup is just that- a pickup. The trucks in 1933 were the actual heavy duty chassis that would be used for a tanker or dump truck. This pickup has survived 81 years on the road but has been hot rodded with later model running gear to make it a more enjoyable ride and able to drive on the road at highway speeds.
Its the ride to be able to stick everything you need to go enjoy a nice car show or drive for a picnic because you can haul everything in the bed. Its also has been the ride that you can hop in flip the key and will fire almost every time.
Exterior: 7/10
This pickup looks pretty close to what you got in terms of sheet metal in 1933. Some of the body modifications to have done to it are removing and filling the sumps in the front fenders where the spare tire used to sit. The bed has been shortened 6 inches because the stock length just looks out of place on the pickup. The radiator cap has been filed in and smoothed over and swapping the stock front bumper with one from a 1932 Ford car.
The main style of the pickup looks more like a 32 ford compared to all the cars in the 1933 model lineup. The grill shell is unique to the pickups and trucks because its all one piece compared to a 32 ford with its iconic separate insert. If you compare it to a 1933 Chevy pickup you will see a lot of similarities but most cars looked alike in the 20's and 30's.
The paint and bodywork on this pickup was done by my grandfather in garage over 20 years ago. The pickup was originally going to a vehicle he was going to flip for profit. So the paint has some runs here and there and now is starting to show its age with chips and bubbles. The color is Mystic Teal metallic off a late 3 rd gen Camaro. The pickup is 100% steel which is a rare sight today most will fiberglass fenders. The hood top is original to the pickup but the sides are aftermarket pieces that change the style compared to the factory lover units.
The only real chrome work is the headlights and headlight bar, the front spreader bar and rear spreader bar, front bumper and the windshield frame. Personally the less is more saying goes well with this pickup. What chrome is there really pop's with the color but its not overdone like a Buick.
Interior: 6/10
First thing – Its not a very big pickup, its very small inside and there is no such thing as seat adjustment . You sit very upright in the seat which helps putting your head in the shade the visor on the cab casts. Only problem is when the first car at a red light you have to duck under the visor to see the light.
The interior in the pickup was in it before my grandfather bought it and has really only swapped the column and added a tach. The dash is very basic with only three factory gauge holes. The speedo is the bigger gauge and is the original factory guage. Its Stewart Warner gauge too so its pretty neat. I still laugh that Ford thought the stock pickup would hit 90 mph. The steering column is out a later model but pre-69 GM column since there is no ignition key in it. The steering wheel is a original Corvette Comfort Grip wheel that my grandfather pickup at a swap meet in the early 90's. Plus he has a special thing for them because all of his classic cars have them.
The shifter is on the floor and is a old chrome mustang unit. There is much special about it, it does its job at putting the transmission in gear.
The interior material shows its age that it was done in the late 80's with the cloth. It wears like iron though because its over 25 years old and still looks great. A odd thing is that someone has added door panels to it. The factory didn't have them. There is a small removable panel to be able to work on the innards of the door.
Acceleration: 8/10
This pickup is quick. When my grandfather first put it together he used to drag race it every week. It was always on street tires and never could hook up, but was in the 7's in the 1/8 th and high 12's in the ¼ mile. The engine is a 1970 Chevy LT-1 block with 4 bolt mains bored 60 over with forged pop up pistons. It has Dart iron sportsman heads, Comp 280 cam with full roller 1.6 rockers. On top is a pair of 500 cfm Edelbrock carbs on a vintage Edelbrock intake. It also has a deep sump oil pan and windage tray. It still uses a points gm distributor with a MSD ignition box. The spent gases are routed trough block headers and out through 2 ½ inch pipes through a set of 20+ year old Flowmaster mufflers It revs quick and pull hard, but sucks gas like its still 50 cents for leaded super. I don't plan for any new engine mods because it runs and sound good.
Braking: 3/10
Its a old car so braking is something you plan for well in advance. The front is new disc brakes, while out back is drums. There is no power breaks so it takes so pressure to bring the truck down to a stop. The master cylinder is still mounted on the firewall and has not been moved under the floor like most new aftermarket chassis do. When driving a hot rod sketchy brakes are something you have to be aware of because 95% of the rods out there have the same braking style to don't go in expecting to stop like a new Corvette.
Ride: 7/10
It rides like a pickup from the 30's. It has a solid dropped front axle that has a single traverse leaf spring and a couple of shocks. The front end is mostly chrome and is the "hot rod" style with the drilled holes in the center of the beam. Out back is a 1968 Camaro 12 bolt solid real axle with a parallel leaf springs and a pair of shocks. It rides rough and stiff but honestly that is what adds to its character.
Handling: 2/10
It can turn left and right and that's about it. Don't expect to take on a 911 and out handle it. In fact dont even expect to out handle a Aztek. This pickup is not about handling but just cruising up and down the street like in "American Graffiti".
Gearbox: 5/10
The TH350 has a shift kit for nice firm shift and does its duty laying the power to destroy power. They are a stout transmission that can handle a good amount of power.
Audio: 3/10
The pickup has a radio but you would never know it. Is under you the seat bottom and is not even accessible by the driver. Its a 1980's AM/FM cassette unit. There are two speakers that emit sound and music but the sound you can not hear is the thundering noise coming from the Flowmasters. Driving for long periods of time on the highway will leave your ears ringing for hours afterward.
Toys: 2/10
There are not many toys in this old pickup. One would be the cowl vent. It is your secondary source of fresh air after the windows are down. It keeps cool air on your legs. The windshield loosens up and can push out but doing it repeatedly will lead to cracking the glass so I never open it.
Value: 8/10
For a long time the 1932-1934 Ford pickup was the cheap way of getting into hot rodding if a 32-34 Ford was a your preferred choice. Also another trick was to buy a truck because the cabs, hood and grill shell are the same so you could plant it onto a pickup frame. With prices of 33 Ford coupes, roadsters, sedans and vicky's soaring the pickup and truck have come up as well. Most projects are very rough and rusty but with the rise in popularity patch panels and parts are becoming more accessible. They are great little hot rod and this one in particular has been a great one.
Did this video for a high school project in 2009 when the truck was still my grandpas.
51/100
Engine:
5.7L V8 (Chevy LT-1 350) 2x4 barrel, dual exhaust
Power: ~400-475
HP
Transmission:
Three speed automatic (TH350)
0-60 Time: very quick
Top Speed:
trap speed in ¼ was 112
Drivetrain: Motor's power is trasferred by a 12 bolt Posi
Curb Weight: 3000ish never have had it on a scale
Seating: 2 somewhat comfotably. It has held my grandparents and my sister and I when we were both babies.
MPG: Single digits, but its a weekend car so who cares?
MSRP: a realistic price of the pickup as it sits now would be 35k-40k but it will never be for sale it has way too much sentimental value that can never be replaced.
desertdog5051
> camaroboy68ss
02/27/2014 at 22:59 |
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You'll be sorrrrry.....This is a land where things are not as they seem and before you realize there is no escape, you are trapped ...This, my friends, is the OPPO ZONE.
Welcome
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camaroboy68ss
> desertdog5051
02/27/2014 at 23:26 |
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I can check out any time I like but I can never leave?
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desertdog5051
> camaroboy68ss
02/27/2014 at 23:28 |
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Indeed.
Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey
> camaroboy68ss
02/28/2014 at 09:30 |
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Beautiful truck. And a great first post. Welcome to Oppo brother!
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camaroboy68ss
> Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey
02/28/2014 at 09:44 |
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Thanks!