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We’ve seen all sorts of different Model-T builds over the years, but no two are ever alike. The great thing about this sort of custom hotrod is that the builder has total control over the final outcome and the finished product totally and completely reflects the stylistic choices of the builder. There is no template, there are no rules, you build it how you want it.
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What do you think of this look? We can't get enough of it.
This particularly unique 1924 Model-T pickup belongs to Jeff Williams of Puyallup, Washington, and he’s had it for five years. “I’ve been driving it for about four years,” Jeff told us, “But they’re never finished. This one started as a basket full of parts.”
[5]This has clearly come a long way since Jeff bought that basket of parts.
The bucket and running boards came to Jeff painted and he left them like that. Part of the character in a lot of these cars comes from the way they were left by a previous owner. Sometimes that character shows itself in the form of bullet-holes, patina, or strange modifications, in this case Jeff took the purple colored paint and ran with it. “They were painted back in 1984,” he explained. “So when I build the box and the fenders I panted them to match and used just a little more metal flake.”
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The frame is an original Model-T frame that he put tubing over and welded it along the sides for strength, and everything from the running boards back is built by Jeff from scratch. So this really is a prime example of the kind of custom Model-T that we just love to see. Anytime something is made completely from scratch, you know that it’s going to be one of a kind.
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What are your thoughts on this intake and carburetor setup? We've never seen anything quite like it and it's really cool to see the level of customization and all of the work that went into this car.
There’s more too it however than just the custom body components and the look of the car. The drivetrain on this roadster pickup is also just about as unique as they come. The engine is a 507 cubic-inch Cadillac monster with a custom fabricated intake and dual Holley [10] carburetors. It also features a turbo-350 automatic transmission and Jaguar rearend.
[11]What do you think, would you rock this purple paintjob with flames? Notice how the red on the frame seemingly flows into the red color of the flames.
The front end is a craigslist find that came off of a 1936 Ford 1 and ½-ton pickup. “It’s a little beefier than a normal straight-axle,” Jeff explained. “The front axle is also 2-inches wider on each side so there is room for the coilovers.”
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The front end on this Ford is different, yet it still retains the look of a classic Model-T style hotrod. The old style straight axle look and antique style radiator is just beyond cool.
Jeff learned how to do most of this work back in high school when he worked in a hotrod shop. After working on them, he wanted one for himself someday. This one didn’t come without a price either, Jeff sold a pretty cool car to finance this one. “I sold a 1976 Pontiac Trans-Am to pay for this,” He explained. That Trans-Am was an original 455 cubic-inch 4-speed car.
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Was the trade off worth it? Hell yes it was. The Pontiac would have been a cool car, but this Model-T roadster pickup is a beast all its own. You don’t often see a custom hotrod powered by a Cadillac engine like this, most people just go with a small-block or a big-block Chevy, and there’s nothing wring with that, this is just really cool in part because it is so unique.
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The interior is as clean and cool as the exterior and again reflects the style of the Model-T hotrod, but has a personal flair that represents Jeff's own build style.
We’re starting something new with out All Out Custom [18] series. This is the first one and it won’t be the last either. You’re part of it right now as a reader, but we want you to be even more a part of the series. Do you have an all out custom hotrod, ratrod, or other vehicle that you’ve built for yourself? If so, we want to see it. Shoot us an email [19] and we’ll let you know what we think. If you’ve got a more conventional musclecar or hotrod build, we’d still like to see it and consider it for our Street Features [20] series. It only takes a second to send an email and you’ll be internet famous forever.
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The glass beer bottle catch for the radiator is a nice touch.