The wild custom "Chain Smoker" Truck

Chain Smoker Truck

A hot rod builder found a 1947 Fargo FL1 truck in a field in Manitoba several years ago and bought it as his next project. It is a rare vehicle to see in the United States - the Fargo Motor Company was started in 1928 by the Chrysler Corporation so that Chrysler, Plymouth and DeSoto dealers could sell trucks.  United States sales of Fargo trucks were abysmal and Fargo distribution in the United States was discontinued at the end of the 1930 model year after just 7,680 trucks were built.

But worldwide, and particularly in Canada, the Fargo brand was used until 1972 as Chrysler-Plymouth dealer products while Dodge trucks were sold at Dodge dealers. This explains why the 1947 Fargo FL1 looks just like a 1947 Dodge W series pickup truck.   

The builder, Warwick Andrews of the Andrews Auto Gallery in Calgary decided to try a different construction technique and used welded chain in place of sheet metal.  He stretched the front end 6 inches to accommodate the compound turbocharged 12-valve Cummins diesel engine that Andrews claims develops 1200 horsepower and 2000 foot/pounds of torque and filled the gap at the cowl with welded chain.

The front and rear fenders were widened also using welded chain and Andrews created a front valance and rear pan under the tailgate using this same technique. The result is the unique Chain Smoker truck as seen at the 2019 SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show in Las Vegas. 

All photos by the author    

Dodge “Lowliner” concept truck

At the 2019 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas, Mopar exhibited the “Lowliner” 1968 Dodge D200 Sweptline custom concept truck.

Photo courtesy of FCA LLC

The 1968 D200 ¾ ton pickup was the fourth year of the second generation of the Dodge “D” series trucks; the second generation introduced with passenger car styling that featured a 3-inch lower cab. The “Sweptline” designation was applied to the trucks with the straight-side pickup box. Customers responded favorably with over 183,000 D Series trucks sold for the 1968 model year, Dodge’s highest pickup truck production total to date.

advertisement courtesy of FCA LLC

 The builders of the “Lowliner” moved the front axle four inches forward, which extended the wheelbase to 132 inches and gave the truck  air suspension on all four corners. The truck has three different air suspension settings - parked, drive, and "drive plus" for driveway access.

Author photo 

The truck's immaculate bodywork is finished in Dodge Candy Delmonico Red with “Dodge” ghosted on the tailgate, with Dairy Cream accents for the bumpers, grille, and 22-inch 'smoothie' style wheels.

Author photo 

The highlight of the build is under the power tilt front end, the mighty vintage Cummins 24V 5.9-liter (358 cubic inch) diesel engine with Holset turbocharger that produces an estimated 300 horsepower and 600 foot/pounds of torque which is transmitted through  a six-speed manual transmission to the 11-inch wide rear wheels.  

Photo courtesy of FCA LLC 

The custom interior is trimmed in “Blazing Saddle Tan” distressed leather  with a custom engine-turned aluminum gauge panel with seven Mopar gauges and the restored 1968 steering wheel. The floor-mounted Hurst shifter has a custom translucent shift ball with the Cummins logo.  

The ICON Reformer “Six Pack”

 

Just for today, Triplett’s Eye on Cars becomes....

Triplett's Eye on Trucks.

 

 

Beginning in 1964 Ford Motor Company offered a “Crew Cab” body style for their new fourth-generation F250 (3/4 ton load capacity) truck. The early 1961-1963 F-series Ford truck featured a uni-body (cab and bed integrated) design which was dropped for 1964. While a four-door “Crew Cab” pickup truck is a common site nowadays, in the nineteen sixties this design also known as a “Six Man Cab” was factory custom built starting with a regular cab.

 

 

from this.....

(photo courtesy ICON)

......to this

(author's photo)

 

 

Beginning with a well-used but fairly rust free example, ICON Reformers based in Los Angeles created this one-of-a-kind four-wheel drive 1965 Ford F250 that they call “Six Pack” that was parked outside the North Hall at the 2017 SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show. 

 

The stated purpose of ICON Reformers simple - Take timeless classic vehicles from any maker, from almost any era, then re-imagine them for modern use. Restore the vehicle inside and out to better than new condition, tailor the vehicle to the client’s personality and use but all of the updates are hidden under the restored original look. ICON Reformers advertises that they “design, engineer and build modern rides with vintage vibes”

 

Some of the highlights of the build which is powered by Banks Power modified 5.9 liter (360 cubic inch) straight six Cummins turbo diesel engine connected to a 48RE transmission and the truck rides on Fox racing suspension.

 

photo courtesy ICON

 

Author photo

Custom touches include the nickel plated aluminum trim with stainless inserts, and custom built rear bumper

 

Photo courtesy ICON

The luxurious interior features Moore & Giles leather seating with German wool square weave carpet.  Amp Research power steps deploy when the door is opened.