Help Make my Old Gal Hot

[GulfCoastGasser]

I really like pre-war and post-war cars up to mid-50's. With their big rounded features and large fenders and I really like hot rods and gassers using these cars as their bones. But my latest acquisition is a late-70’s truck with no exterior fenders (styleside) and few rounded features. (It was a solid truck, a new engine, no rust and a very low price!)

The truck is already modified with a stoked 350 power-plant, and TH400 tranny., a complete new interior and mass sound system.

So my question is; have any of you modified or seen modified late-70’s trucks and cars, other than low riders (cool but not my style)?

I plan on adding a low profile scoop, lowering the rear a bit to get a “gasser-look”, painting her blitz black with a red painted bed and red roof with yellow accents and modest pin striping. I might add a funky hood ornament or other cosmetic crap to make it unique. But I am really looking for something to make this old gal look “mean” and as fast as she really is.

Any ideas?

 

[Gastrick]

Really, if it were me and I was dealing with a late 70's era truck, I would skip some of the styling ques that are commonly used on earlier vehicles. Some things just don't translate well to the later models in my opinion. If I were you, I would try to stick with styling along these lines. This is a pic you posted over in the gasser truck threaad.

 

[GulfCoastGasser]

Really, if it were me and I was dealing with a late 70's era truck, I would skip some of the styling ques that are commonly used on earlier vehicles. Some things just don't translate well to the later models in my opinion. If I were you, I would try to stick with styling along these lines. This is a pic you posted over in the gasser truck threaad.

Yes that is the look I am after but probably in black - really becuse BB is cheaper than any other semi-gloss paint option!

 

[Willowbilly3]

Well there is a million miles between a Ford unibody and a late 70s Chevy.
It seems like you have found a good drivetrain for another project. I guess if it is a shortbed you could dress it up a little with some rally wheels, maybe an SS style hood. Trying to make it look like a gasser or mean or fast will probably just make it look like some ghetto high school parking lot truck imho. I would reccomend using your resources on a different pallet.

 

[GulfCoastGasser]

Well there is a million miles between a Ford unibody and a late 70s Chevy.
It seems like you have found a good drivetrain for another project. I guess if it is a shortbed you could dress it up a little with some rally wheels, maybe an SS style hood. Trying to make it look like a gasser or mean or fast will probably just make it look like some ghetto high school parking lot truck imho. I would reccomend using your resources on a different pallet.

The truck is actually a 1977 Ford F-100.
And it is the only "pallet" I own!

If money were no object, there would be no grease under my fingernails!

 

[Willowbilly3]

The truck is actually a 1977 Ford F-100.
And it is the only "pallet" I own!

If money were no object, there would be no grease under my fingernails!

OOPS, don't know why I thought it was a Chevy but it's still the same difference, almost. You can't do much to raise or lower the front end on those I beam trucks.
Ultimatley it is always "do what pleases your tastes/budget" I would think the gas issue might keep it parked most of the time. I still drive my 390 as my only vehicle but I never go anywhere. I am an old farm/ranch lad, trucks is trucks and trying to make one a hot rod is like running the Kentucky derby with a Clydsdale. The same engine in a $300 dollar mustang will be way more impressive. I'm not hacking your ride but when you ask for opinions, not all of them will be what you wanted to hear. That's just one opinion

 

[earthman]

'77 Ford pickup hot? Slammed, roof cut off, hood removed with vertical headers. Tunnel ram if you can afford it.Hooligan paint. Don't let these suggestions upset you GCG,my opinions are seldom popular . Most practical choice for this model of pickup in my humble opinion? Just nicely restored with nice wheels. But just do to it what makes you happiest and keep us updated.