The Ford F-100 has been a favorite of hot rodders since they were new, and to many, it is the quintessential American pickup hot rod. It bore a unique style that could be easily enhanced with minor customization, yet it was still a truck and inherently practical. Under Joe MacPherson’s ownership, this 1956 F-100 was extensively customized by “Squeak” White and the renowned Mike Chrisman. MacPherson customized the truck to stay within his “five-percent” rule, meaning that the truck would be recognized for what it was yet slightly cleaner and smoother cosmetically over stock.

Under the hood is a 1965 Ford 427 V-8 that utilizes 9:1 JE pistons, stainless steel valves, and a high-capacity oiling system, and it is estimated to make roughly 600 horsepower. The engine is fed by a Hilborn fuel-injection system that has been converted to modern electronic operation and is mated to a Ford C-6 automatic transmission. The exhaust flows though custom two-inch headers to a 2½-inch exhaust system with Mega Flow mufflers. Furthermore, the truck is fitted with disc brakes and power steering, for added drivability, as well as the front suspension from a 1978 Ford and a custom four-link rear suspension with a nine-inch rear axle.

In order to attain a more pleasing overall profile, the front sheet metal of the truck was rotated downward and the core support was shortened in order to relocate the hood and fenders. The truck’s cab and bed were tilted forward on the same angle to match. The drip rails were completely removed, and the upper cab seams were filled and smoothed. The gas filler, cowl, heater vents, front fender, and hood seams were filled as well. Further smoothing out the look of the F-100 included shortening the hood peak, rounding out the door corners, and removing the wind wings. The bed boasts a very modern look, as it is trimmed with stainless steel and oak and the floor has been lifted two inches over stock. Custom hinges and latches were installed for the tailgate, and the taillights from a 1934 Ford were fitted for a retro look.

Inside, the truck was fitted with a gauge cluster from a 1999 Mustang and bucket seats from a Chevrolet Tahoe, which are divided by a custom-fabricated aluminum console with a built-in switch panel to control the ignition, headlights, windshield wipers, drop-down license plate, and high beams. The interior was reupholstered in burgundy by Little John’s Interior Concepts, and it features a GM steering column and column-mounted shifter that has been fitted with a steering wheel from a 1952 Ford. The leather door panels were fitted with armrests from a 1956 Chevrolet, and the stainless steel trim was sourced from Chevrolets of the same era.

Although the truck appeared unfinished and in bare metal in issue number nine of The Rodder’s Journal, it now wears a brilliant shade of PPG Twilight Blue polyurethane paint, which wonderfully complements its oak-trimmed bed and burgundy interior. What sets this F-100 apart from the rest is its incredible look, as it is more streamlined and aggressive than stock but not overtly so. Its painstaking attention to detail and build quality only make it that much more tastefully unique.