Diamond in the Rust: Brian Reed's 1964 Ford F100

Stuck bolts, busted knuckles, burned coffee--there are any number of reasons why you might hear a little choice language exchanged around the typical auto shop. But of all the four-letter words you’re likely hear in the garage, only one is enough to make even the burliest wrench-turner blush: rust.

Rust is a simple fact of life for enthusiasts across much of the country. Not even the toughest Detroit iron is immune to the constant barrage of frozen slush and road salt brought on by an average midwestern winter. But for Brian Reed, a little iron oxide has never been a cause for alarm. In fact, he’s dedicated much of his life to keeping wrecked, corroded, and run-down rides out of the scrap heap.

"When I was 15 and getting ready to drive, my dad bought me my first car: a wrecked Volkswagen Bug. I loved it," recalls Brian. "I put it back together in my parents' garage, and by the time I was 16 I’d sold it and bought another one. At that point I realized I could do this again, and again, and again—and it never stopped!"

These days, Brian has graduated from Beetles to Blue Ovals, breathing new life into busted Broncos, downtrodden Super Duties, and most recently this 1964 F100. Dragged from a front yard in rural Ohio, where it had sunken into the dirt up to its axles and developed an acute case of body rot, this crusty Custom Cab has become the ultimate expression of Brian’s love for wayward hot rods.

Embracing the truck’s weathered appearance, Brian chose to exaggerate the vehicle’s natural patina with airbrushed details, then seal the deal with a matte clearcoat to keep further corrosion at bay. However, underneath that artfully bedraggled exterior lies a modern, fully boxed chassis, nimble coil-over suspension, and a factory-fresh Coyote engine that shines like a five-liter jewel against the pickup’s faded facade.

There's way more to this old shop truck than meets the eye! Visit our official blog at OnAllCylinders.com to read the full story and for a guided video tour!

Photography By: Todd Biss Productions
Art Direction By: Aaron Gray
Story By: Dan Michaud

FAST SPECS

Engine and Transmission
Engine: Ford Performance Parts Coyote 5.0L Crate Engine
Transmission: Ford Performance Parts 6R80 Automatic
Air & Fuel: K&N 63 Series cold air intake, Aeromotive Stealth 340 fuel system
Cooling: Champion radiator, custom aluminum fan shroud, dual Spal 12" electric fans
Exhaust: Patriot Tight Tuck headers, custom 2.5" stainless steel tubing, Borla ProXS mufflers with custom side exit

Chassis
Frame: Custom-fabricated chassis, fully boxed
Suspension: Mustang II with 2" drop spindles (front), custom 4-link (rear), QA1 shocks with RideTech springs 
Rear End: Ford 9", limited-slip differential with 3.73 gears, Moser 31-spline axles
Wheels: U.S. Mags Rambler 6 (18" x 8" front, 20" x 10" rear)
Tires: Nitto 555 G2 (205/30/20 front, 275/35/18 rear)
Brakes: Wilwood Superlite 6-piston front/Dynalite 4-piston rear calipers, 14" front/12" rear rotors, Wilwood master cylinder

Exterior
Modifications: Custom bed floor, shaved antenna and fuel filler,
Other: Ring Brothers billet hood hinges; Ford NOS grille and headlight bezels; reproduction bumpers, door handles, badges, and mirrors; Cerbinator Auto Designs rear spoiler
Paint and Patina: Sherwin Williams custom mix
Body and Paint by: Buckeye Collision Service
Graphics by: Designs on the Mark, Marion, OH

Interior
Gauges: Dakota Digital RTX
Steering Wheel: Billet Specialties Victory 14" steering wheel, custom 32" tilt column
Seat: Reupholstered Chevy C10 bench  
Upholstery by: Angie’s Upholstery, Upper Sandusky, OH

Special Thanks
Thanks to Mark Arnold at Designs on the Mark for the lettering, Tom Lusch for the patina and airbrushed rust, and the entire crew at Buckeye Collision.