“Alumi-Rod” LT1-Powered, Aluminum-Bodied Custom Ford Roadster 6-Speed

This Ford pickup-style hot rod was built using hand-formed aluminum bodywork mounted to a fabricated tube chassis, and it is powered by a 350ci LT1 V8 linked to a Tremec six-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential. Dubbed “Alumi-rod,” the car rides on Halibrand-style 15” and 16” wheels with a suicide front setup, triangulated rear trailing arms, leaf springs, a Vega steering box, and front disc brakes with Wilwood calipers. Polished aluminum surfaces carry over to the interior, which features die-struck detailing, an aluminum steering wheel, Stewart-Warner gauges, and Bear Claw door latches. Rear-hinged doors, lake-style headers, and a Holley Avenger carburetor are among the other highlights.

The bodywork was fabricated from aluminum sheet and features a Model A-style radiator surround, rear-hinged doors, and a louvered rear cover. Dimple-die gussets accent the windshield stanchions and cargo bed rails. Front indicators are built into the chassis prongs, and the headlights and taillights have polished housings.

The trussed chassis is constructed from TIG-welded 1.25”-wall steel tubing, and it has been powder-coated silver.

The ’40 Ford front axle has a “suicide” setup with wishbones, a transverse leaf spring, and friction dampers. The Vega steering box is equipped with a stabilizer. The live rear axle is supported by quarter-elliptical leaf springs, triangulated trailing arms, and telescopic shocks.

The Halibrand-style 15” front and 16” rear wheels are wrapped in Firestone pie-crust tires. Braking is handled by Wilwood discs up front and finned rear drums with a Speedway bias adjuster and a push-pull parking brake.