It was Halloween Cruise Night at the Sonic Drive-In, and Rob Boardman seemed a bit anxious. And, why not? His beautiful 1954 Ford F-100 literally sparkled under the bright lights on this unusually balmy evening. At last he finally shared the good news with the group of cruisers full of questions about his ride. Rob had just been notified that he was a finalist in the search for the Goodguy’s 2006 Truck of the Year (Late) selection. This was not the first, nor would it be the last, honor for the man who simply wanted to put the hundreds of parts and pieces back together again for his own enjoyment. His plan was to retain the “old style look” of the truck he purchased at age seventeen for just $1,200.
Rob’s father found the truck in a field near LosAngeles, and the past several decades it has remained in storage, with plans to redo it someday. Someday did arrive and the frame-off restoration had begun at Ron’s Restoration in Glade, Kansas. The plan was to restore the little truck to “old school original” and perhaps visually that is so.
Beyond that point however, what rolled out of the restoration shop one year later had the look Rob desired and more, but what was under the hood was definitely high tech beginning with an all aluminum 4.6 D.O.H.C. Cobra engine resleeved to 5.0 liters, engine prep by Sean Hyland and dyno by Jack Roush. Engine chrome came from Street and Performance.
Other equipment includes a 4R75W Mach I transmission, Heidt’s Superride II front suspension, Mandrel 2 1/2″ stainless exhaust, power disc brakes, VDO guages and Ididit tilt steering column with cruise control. Among the interior comforts are electric windows, Vintage heat and air conditioning, and black and gray ultra-leather upholstry. The Vibrance Midnight Sapphire exterior is enhanced with American Racing wheels.
Since restoration Rob’s classy little ‘54 has won awards at every car show attended including Best Early Truck, Best Ford, Best Motor, and Best of Show. Judges named the pickup Outstanding Ford at the Goodguys show at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth. At the Goodguys event at Kansas City’s Kansas Speedway the truck was selected as a “Truck of the Year” finalist candidate and was a Classic Truck Magazine top 10 pick as well.
Certainly 2006 comes to an exciting end for the man who just wanted to fix up a sentimental piece of his youth.
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