1952 Dodge B3B Pickup - Pantina Resto Mod

Before

After

  This project just re-sold again at Barrett-Jackson for $29,700

The Build

This is how I got the project. Wow!! Some pretty odd stuff had been done to this old project, the rear axle was on upside down for one. No motor or transmission. Some funky Mustang II front suspension installed kind of marginally. The theme for this build is to appear somewhat "period correct" but with some modern touches for safety and comfort.

Tore it all down to the frame and cab. Sourced a Ford 9" rear end from an early Bronco, the track width was spot on, refurbished the springs with new bushings and mounts, and added some new shocks.

No for the good part. Found a guy in Penrose Colorado who does old style Hemi motors. Bob Kaschebufski....aka "Hemi Bob". He had a motor that was actually used in a "la Carrera Panamerican" race car back in the '50s. A 392 Chrysler Hemi. He rebuilt the motor with some added performance goodies and set us up with a 700r4 transmission. 

Fast Forward to after paints and lots of metal work. Yea I forgot to take pictures until this stage. 

For the patina paint job, I first sprayed the bed red to match the cab, using the red as a base color, then sprayed on the white and teal. The white got a slightly glossy clear, made it look like it was a little newer than the rest of the truck. The other areas got sanded through to get that worn weathered look. I added some faint black and grey highlights to mimic years of dirt and grime. Then covered all the teal areas in a flat clear. Even up close it is hard to tell it in a Fauxtina finish.

The motor was a squeeze in the engine compartment.  Added an aluminum radiator, power brakes, electronic ignition, and a newer Holley carb. 

After getting it running, we sent it out for upholstery and glass.