THE CAR

Having built many hot rods dating back to the 1960’s, Ian “Liefy” Liefman turned his hand to this beautiful 1937 Ford Pickup which was finished in 1995 and wowed the crowds at the Australian Street Rod Nationals.

Crafted over a three-year period, it is based on a 1940 Ford pickup crossmember which was shortened to 100 inches in length and skinned with 1937 Ford pickup panels.

An E Type Jaguar independent rear end was mounted and an adjustable upper mount for the coil over shocks devised which allows a quick change of the ride height with the turn of a bolt.

Power comes from an aluminium small block Toyota V8 which is a scaled down version of the mighty Chrysler 426ci Hemi engine. The motor is exactly half the displacement at 213ci (3.4 litres) which has been bored out to 3.7 litres. The engine is light, compact, powerful and (being a Hemi) virtually indestructible.

Before installation, the heads were ported, cam given a slightly wider grind, rods polished and engine balanced. Quad 2 barrel Webbers grace the top of the engine block.

The automatic transmission is fitted with a factory high stall converter. The brakes are from a Ford Falcon adapted to the original 1940 stub axles and operated by a dual master cylinder and booster. A remote push rod system connects the brake pedal to the master cylinder under the tray.

Wheels are sparkling Centrelines with 10 inch rubber at the rear and 6 inch at the front.

The pickup bed was fabricated using aluminium sheet, double skinned over a tube frame. Side rails were cut and shaped using Aussie hardwood to follow the lines of the cab.

The stop, tail and turn signals are from a 1930 Ford. A third brake light is mounted behind the "Ford" logo cut into the tail gate.

The cabin has room for three on its grey leather-look bench seat. Door cards and dash are trimmed to match. All switches, controls and the stereo unit are housed in the seat riser and the car sports beautiful period dash instruments.

The headlights are Deitz units mounted on storks to the chassis rails with the 1937 lenses mounted directly in the guards. The air conditioning compressor runs off a pulley mounted to the tail shaft.

All the workings of the rear end are fully visible inside the tray which is lined with a hinged piece of half inch perspex.

Fully engineered and road registered in South Australia, this Hot Rod has been on display in shows throughout Australia and has won its fair share of awards. Also engineered in Victoria.

It has also been the subject of a number of articles in hot rod magazines including “Adelaide Street Car” and “Cruzin”.

A unique and beautiful 1937 Ford Pickup Truck.