By Colin Wood
Jan 4, 2022
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Chevrolet,
Ford,
Sponsored Content,
Mecum,
Car Catcher,
hot rod
Photography Courtesy Mecum Auctions
Sponsored Content Presented by Mecum Auctions.
The best part about American hot rods? There is no right or wrong way to go about it.
Case in point: These four pieces of classic Americana offered as part of Mecum’s upcoming Kissimmee 2022 auction.
Each example has received hundreds of hours of custom work and are likely to draw attention wherever they go.
Whether you want to go loud with a one-off creation or make a more subtle statement, this collection likely has what you are looking for.
A one-off Cab Over Engine Ford truck
Known as The Big Bandit, this 1951 Ford COE (Cab Over Engine) is actually an amalgamation of different Ford truck components, featuring pieces from an F5 COE, F4, F47 and F100–all pieced together over a Dodge motorhome chassis from the ‘70s.
Power comes from a 440 cubic-inch Mopar V8 fitted with an RV cam and flat-top pistons, all backed by a Chrysler TorqueFlite automatic transmission. The rig makes use of air suspension on all four corners.
The work doesn’t end with the mechanicals, though, as the FOE features a number of artistic touches like hand-painted murals, brass inlays, gold leaf accents and Moore and Giles natural leather upholstery.
A no-expense-spared Chevrolet Bel-Air
If you looked up the definition of “Hot Rod” in the dictionary, it’d likely have a picture of something like this 1956 Chevrolet Bel-Air.
Built by East Coast Muscle Cars, no expense was spared in the creation of this Chevy–better known as “Lonnie”–as evidence of the work receipts total some $600,000. Besides a built LSX V8 powerplant, the engine bay also features “polished accessories, custom smoothed firewall, ribbed inner fender panels, chromed headers, upgraded cooling accessories and billet hood hinges.”
That attention to detail also carries over to the rest of Lonnie, with custom Axalta Red Ice paint, red leather interior, extensive chrome trim and a digital dash.
A Ford pickup built for a worthy cause
What’s better than winning a classic at auction? Winning one that supports a great cause. Such is the case for this 1932 Ford Custom Pickup donated by MotorTrend. The proceeds of the Ford will go on to benefit Curing Kids Cancer.
Making use of a Ford-licensed United Pacific 1932 Ford all-steel body, this custom pickup features modern underpinnings thanks to a Roadster Shop frame. Power comes from a Ford Performance 347 cubic-inch small-block V8 with a custom fabricated exhaust backed by a Hughes 4L60 automatic transmission.
The inside of the pickup, done by Glenn Kramer of Hot Rod Interiors by Glenn, includes more custom work that includes sound deadening, carpeting, upholstery and panels.
A built Big Block-powered Chevrolet Street Rod
If it's low and mean you are interested in, look no further than this 1939 Chevrolet Street Rod. Power comes from a built 502 cubic-inch Chevrolet big-block V8 mated to a modern six-speed manual transmission.
Helping move and stop all that engine is a Fatman suspension setup–both front and rear–plus disc brakes on all four corners.
Noted as being an Atlanta, Georgia, car, the Chevy has all the hallmarks of a well-thought-out hot rod, with chrome removed from everything but the grille, bumpers and windshield wipers. The Street Rod has also been chopped three inches to complete the look.
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