Whenever a hot rod is sold, it's a safe bet the new owner will make some changes. Everyone has different ideas, and the individualism demonstrated in this hobby is testimony to the fact that we build these rides to suit our own tastes.
Scott Sherlock loves trucks and actually has been known to say, "If you can only have one vehicle, it's got to be a truck." He had wanted a roadster pickup for a long time and patiently planned how that truck would be built-with one of Brookville Roadster's Model A pickup bodies for starters. Financed by the sale of his '41 Ford Tudor, Scott began to buy some of the parts he would need for his project.
Destiny plays a role, though, in some of the best plans. While at a car show five years ago, Scott was drawn to a roadster pickup that had been built 10 years earlier and that had some of the features he was looking for, including a Brookville body. He and the owner, Matt Hanigan, agreed upon a price, and the full-fendered little truck soon found a new home in the Sherlock garage in Green Lane, Pennsylvania.
With the help of some friends, Scott took the truck apart right down to the Total Performance chassis, which had already been Z'd and featured a dropped tube axle and four-bar front suspension, and began the buildup into what is now one of the nicest pickups cruising the Northeast. He says he isn't done yet; he plans to install a tuck 'n' roll interior soon. However, as it sits right now, this cool little hot rod looks as though it just drove in from 1959.
Scott also told us, "Thanks to my wife Lisa and friends, my sickness for pickups and roadsters will never be cured!"
Here's to a lengthy recovery!
Scott SherlockGreen Lane, Pennsylvania'30-31 Model A Roadster Pickup
Drivetrain: Scott Sherlock decided to freshen the Chevy 350 by adding fuelie heads, a mild cam, and a polished Offenhauser intake manifold from Vintage Speed plus three nickel-plated Rochester carburetors. When he envisioned building a nostalgic hot rod, this is the way he thought the engine should look. It has just the right mix of detailing with chrome and paint-and the lack of a hood makes the mill a focal point. Exhaust empties into Sanderson headers and Stainless Specialties mufflers. The wires, valve covers, and water pump are from Mooneyes. A Walker radiator with an electric fan cools the truck.
Chassis: The chassis was turned over to Tim's Hot Rod Shop in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, where it was detailed. While there, a stainless exhaust system was fabbed and the shocks were swapped out for some Pro Shock units. Also, the ride height was lowered and a transmission crossmember was added for extra road clearance. The rest of the frontend consists of leaf springs, GM disc brakes on Total Performance spindles, and a Corvair steering box attached to a GM column. The rear assembly is comprised of a Ford 8-inch rearend with 3.23:1 gearing and drum brakes mounted on a coilover suspension. The frame was painted DuPont Silver.
Wheels & Tires: To continue with the nostalgic theme, Wheel Vintiques steel rims were painted to match the body and dressed up with smooth trim rings and '48 Ford hubcaps. Coker wide whitewall tires are 560/15 on 5-inch-wide rims in front and L78/15 on 7-inch-wide rims out back.
Body & Paint: Brookville's all-steel Model A RPU package makes for a great-looking rod. The truck features a LeBaron Bonney top attached to a windshield that has been chopped 2 inches. The truck was sent to Randy Seese at R-C Collision Center in Red Hill, Pennsylvania, where all body panels were adjusted for fit before the striking PPG Flame Red paint was sprayed on.
Interior: Gray tweed and vinyl covers the door panels and custom-built seat, and carpeting is done in gray wool. VDO gauges are mounted in the vinyl-covered '32 Ford dash, and a Budnik steering wheel was chosen to keep the '50s look inside. The pedals and emergency brake are from Lokar and a Sony CD player provides the music.