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by Rich Boyd
Anyone who planned a wedding knows how you can start with a certain budget in mind, and soon it grows to where the result is an out-of-control production that's nothing like what was originally intended. Anne and Bert Del Villano, the owners of this '41 Ford pickup, can relate!
What started as an affordable upgrade, with new paint and wiring, eventually became a ground-up rebuild--with a special little modification to the cab; a 4-inch extension through the doors that was created by Greg Barker of Kustom Body Shop in South San Francisco, California. It wouldn't have been such a drastic deviation from the original plan if the doors were the only panels that had been extended; but if we add the floor, cab, roof, framerails, and the running boards to the equation, you can see how the hours in the shop could skyrocket.
In addition to the extension, these details were added: a new Bruce Horkey bed with an ash wood floor, a Heidt's IFS, a custom fuel filler in the fender, and a new leather interior by Rich Santana that includes storage under the bucket seats.
It's a good thing Anne and Bert enjoy the extra room, because, typically, it's not until they park, next to a stock '40-'41 pickup that the modifications are noticed. Still, when people start checking out all the neat improvements, they can't help thinking, "Maybe just a little upgrade to my ride..."
The heartbeat of 'Ol Blue comes from a 0.030 bored-over 350 Chevy engine with TRW pistons and a Weiand intake manifold. HPC-coated headers by Gary Manuel, at Brizio's Street Rods, improve exhaling exhaust gases.
The bottom of the dash panel was extended to make room for Vintage Air A/C outlets, a stereo, mad some storage for traveling essentials. Behind the LeCarra steering wheel Stewart-Warner gauges, wired by "Wire Wizard" Jim Vickery, display engine information and speed.
Plenty of storage under the seat and lots of leg room--what more could you ask for? The gray vinyl and fabric upholstery was designed and fabricated by Rich Santana. Note the power windows with the Hotronics handles.
A new Bruce Horkey bed with ash wood flooring looks too nice to haul anything but trophies. Speaking of trophies, the '97 Viper Blue pickup won several at West Coast events before hitting the road to Snowmass, Colorado, on Americruise '98.
