1931 Ford Hot Rod Pickup

Few can argue against the fact that Ford ruled the roost in the early days of hot rodding. The early Ford Hot Rod was an instant legend, inspiring songs like “Little Deuce Coupe,” “Hot Rod Lincoln,” “Blinded by the Light,” and more. From nearly the birth of the automobile, guys have strived to make them go faster and look cooler. But the craze of the Hot Rod didn’t really take hold until after World War II when young servicemen returned from the war.

Because of cuts in production, few cars were instantly available, and many of these guys decided to build their own. With early Fords being abundant and affordable, they made the perfect starting platform. The flathead Ford V8 introduced in 1932 was an instant success and became the heart of many Ford Hot Rods.

But as time went by, the Hot Rod evolved too; as new, more powerful engines became available, they were quickly adopted by the hot rod enthusiast. They also reached out to other makes, models, and even trucks to set themselves apart from the pack. This progression led to the many different segments that we all enjoy today in the car hobby. Whether it’s a Hot Rod, Street Rod, Kustom, Gasser, Rat Rod, or Restomod, they all share common roots.

One great example of an early Ford Hot Rod we’ve enjoyed looking at over the years is Scott Parkhurst’s 1931 Ford pickup. This great pickup just screams cool! The chopped and channeled body, the chromed and polished 1954 322-cubic-inch Buick nailhead with lake style headers and 6-deuce carbs completes this ride’s hot rod engine.

The rest of the ride is pure Hot Rod as well with classic Stewart Warner gauges and traditional upholstery. Scott loves this ride and you can tell by all the miles he’s put on it. If you get a chance to see this ride in person, take a chance to check it out—it will be time well spent.