While many car lovers simply snap a photo when they spot an intriguing vehicle on the road, Jay Leno goes a step further, inviting the owner to his garage. Such was the case with a 1948 Ford F6 rat rod, found during a shoot at the Circle G Movie Ranch in California and owned by the ranch’s CEO, Brett Gregory.
In a recent episode of “Jay Leno’s Garage,” Gregory detailed how this specific build fulfilled multiple desires for him. He was looking for a rat rod, a tow truck, and a vehicle with a supercharged engine. Astonishingly, he managed to find all three characteristics in this single customized truck.
The vehicle’s exaggerated dimensions were achieved by shifting the front axle 24 inches forward, cutting the roof by 5.0 inches, and altering the rear chassis so the bed nestles lower between the dual back wheels. The tires, which are consistent with the era, were sourced from a Dodge RV, just like the Dana rear axle. With headlights from a 1942 Chevrolet and rear running lights from a 1950 Pontiac, the truck is an amalgamation of various components.
Under the hood, a 350-cubic-inch Chevy V-8 engine that comes with a Weiand 6-71 supercharger from a Vega race car replaced the original inline-6. Although it’s been detuned to run at 8-9 psi boost with 91 octane fuel, it still manages to produce an estimated 400-450 horsepower. Gregory believes that it could even reach the 600-hp range with 114 octane racing fuel, though that might be a bit excessive for a rat-rodded tow truck from the 1940s, especially when equipped with bias-ply tires.
While the truck might appear worn, some of the weathered appearance was artificially created by applying a mix of muriatic acid and water on the new parts, followed by a touch of color and a thin clear coat to maintain the aged look yet let the surfaces naturally continue to age. The bed and tow rig were additions, as the truck was bought without them.
The aged theme continues inside the truck but cleverly conceals some contemporary features. A modern audio system is discreetly tucked behind the original dashboard, and a backup camera has been installed.
This custom Ford stands out as a truly distinctive piece, boasting an eclectic mix of parts that define its uniqueness. It embodies the spirit of innovation and creativity, combining various elements into a functional and aesthetically appealing work of automotive art.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about fokus keyword: 1948 Ford F6 rat rod
What vehicle did Jay Leno feature in his garage?
Jay Leno featured a 1948 Ford F6 rat rod in his garage. The truck was customized and owned by Brett Gregory, the CEO of Circle G Movie Ranch in California.
What modifications were made to the 1948 Ford F6 rat rod?
The truck’s modifications include moving the front axle forward 24 inches, chopping the roof by 5 inches, modifying the rear chassis, replacing the engine with a 350-cubic-inch Chevy V-8 and a Weiand 6-71 supercharger, and using parts from various vintage vehicles.
How was the weathered appearance of the truck achieved?
The weathered or patinated appearance was partly created by spraying a solution of muriatic acid and water onto new parts, followed by some color and a light clear coat. This preserved the aged look while allowing the surfaces to age naturally.
What modern conveniences were added to the truck’s interior?
Inside, the truck hides modern features like a contemporary audio system behind the stock dashboard and a backup camera.
What’s the horsepower of the customized engine?
The customized 350-cubic-inch Chevy V-8 engine is estimated to produce 400-450 horsepower, but with certain adjustments and higher octane fuel, it could potentially reach up to 600 horsepower.
5 comments
Wow, this truck sounds amazing! Want to see it in action, anyone know where I can find the episode?
the mods on this truck are something else, Moving the front axle and supercharging the engine. this is what customization is all about!
Spraying muriatic acid for patina? Never heard of that before but it gives a real authentic look, might try it on my old chevy.
600 horsepower in a rat rod? Sounds insane, but thats Jay Leno for ya. Must have been a thrill to drive.
That 1948 Ford is a real piece of art. love the mix of old and new, never seen anything like it before.