Unique hot rod pickup available in SEVEN82MOTORS’ September auction

Amongst the 50+ plus cars on offer in SEVEN82MOTORS’ September online stock drop auction, there’s something to suit just about everyone, whether your preference is for classic or modern, original or custom, Aussie or American. There are also a few hot rods amongst the consignments for the 1-11 September online auction, including one with a JUST CARS connection.

JUST CARS knows this rodded ’36 Ford pickup well, as it was featured with us in 2019, following its second build. Both the first and second builds were completed by Tony Webster of Webby’s Speed Shop in Newcastle. The original, from 2013, was done in the rat rod style and powered by a supercharged Hemi V8. Known as ‘Doomsday’ in this form, the pickup was unable to be registered back then, so Webster started the second build three years later. The goal for build #2 was to get the pickup engineered and registered in NSW, so a much tamer 350 Small Block, Turbo 350 auto, Commodore LSD and other street-friendly features were fitted.

Chassis mods included a relocated ‘32 Ford front axle and the addition of torsion bar front suspension, while a triangulated four-link arrangement at the rear incorporated airbags for an ultra-low stance. The compressor for the airbag rear sat in a special compartment in the pickup tub. This was a reproduction unit for a Model T that had to be widened to suit the ’36 Ford’s chassis and cabin. Brakes were a combination of HZ Holden front and VN/VP Commodore rear discs, controlled via an HZ master cylinder

The ’36 Ford cabin had already been chopped (6 inches) and channelled (8 inches) for the first build, but received a custom firewall for the second, along with lowered floors and a lot of work removing dents, rust and other damage suffered in its previous form.

Topping the exposed 350 with finned valve covers, dual Strombergs and other retro-look parts masked the V8’s modern spec. Other additions for the second build included a ’32 Ford grille, a custom radiator, custom extractors and cycle guards, while the previous Halibrand-style salt flat wheels were replaced with 15-inch chrome smoothies.

Paint is unique to this hot rod and came about due to it being rejected by another painter for an unrelated project, so Webster scored it for free from his PPG paint rep. JUST CARS called the rich metalflake and pearl bronze finish “Webby’s Original” back when we featured it. The warm tones were accented by a flat white finish for the chassis, firewall, grille bars, front suspension and other parts.

White covers much of the cabin, too, including a severely narrowed EK Holden dash, custom steering column and Moon wheel. Seats were taken from a VW Beetle and remained padded and comfortable, thanks to lowered floors in the cabin. A cream and chocolate vinyl trim for the seats was repeated on the doorcards.

The transmission tunnel gained an old-school pleated vinyl cover, atop which a Hurst quick shifter was added. Pedals were taken from a Ford Escort, while the airbag controls were hidden in the glovebox.

Completed just ahead of the 2018 Valla Rod Run, Webster’s ’36 Ford pickup won Top Ten and Top Engineered at that event in its new form, followed by more awards at the 2019 Victorian Hot Rod Show and Queenscliff Rod Run. Sold just prior of its feature in JUST CARS later in 2019, the pickup appears to have remained unchanged since. That reflects both its unique appearance and the quality engineering that Webster built into it.

For more details on this very cool hot rod, click HERE.

The SEVEN82MOTORS September online auction opened for bidding on Friday, 1 September, and runs to Monday, 11 September, with staggered closing times from 6:00PM (QLD time).

For further details on this online auction, including instructions on how to bid, open days at the SEVEN82MOTORS premises (where all consignments can be viewed) and more information on the other 51 vehicles and 17 memorabilia lots, click HERE.