Last summer, while immersed in the frenzy of the Columbus Nats, we stumbled upon one of the most gorgeous '40 Ford pickups we'd ever laid our eyes on. We subsequently shot a feature on it, feeling all proud and mighty that we'd gotten first dibs. Meanwhile, the same thing was happening with editors from other magazines--with one of the most gorgeous '40 Ford pickups they'd ever laid their eyes on. As you might well imagine, WE wanted both, obviously, but for various reasons, had to play fair and let the "hot rod" guys have first dibs on their find. All's well that ends well, as the waiting game is over and we're now able to treat our readers with George Poteet's '40--which is anything but "just a truck"!
The story of Poteet's '40 goes back well before its current '60s custom guise was even considered. If you're not familiar with George, let's just say he has a penchant for old cars--but not just ordinary old cars. Among other things, Poteet has a select "cool" taste, and the stable of hot rods and trucks he's owned over the years clearly shows that. Furthermore, he's not afraid to make real use out anything with four wheels on it, be it a Brizio-built '32 Ford roadster pickup or a primered F-1--if the title's got his name on it, it's destined to be driven. It was during one of his numerous road trips that George came across his '40. Though clad in billet attire, the primered--and eventually flamed--truck was solid, so it was left fairly as-is until someone else wanted it more than he did. Eventually, it would find its way back to the Poteet stable, only to be sold and bought back a time or two more. During all of this changing of hands, the truck's odometer kept on clicking away.
The last time George reacquired the old '40 was really the last time. Upon repossession, as it were, he decided to take the pickup to Dave Lane for a little "era" facelift. FastLane Rod Shop, a bit of a drive north from Poteet's Tennessee ranch to Donahue, Iowa, has earned a reputation for producing timeless creations, and the pickup wasn't about to be spared any of that talent. With George's directive being simple--"a mid-'60s-era custom truck with gold paint and a white interior"--Dave and his crew whipped out the transformation in half a year, just in time for Poteet to drive it all across the country...and then some.
Basically, the Ford didn't need much attention below the surface other than an engine and tranny swap from an LT1 with an auto to a 385hp carbureted small-block with a Tremec five-speed, along with a couple tweaks here and there. So, FastLane spent their time focused on the cosmetics; Steve Ralphs on the interior; Josh Shaw on the period-style finelines. The former dull surface was expertly transformed into the type of vehicle George envisioned--"just like you'd see in Hot Rod or Rod & Custom...or at a car show at the Coliseum or somewhere, with angel hair under it"--with Dave personally applying the DuPont Pacific Gold metallic that glows like an unearthly substance. Ralphs brought the truck "Back to the '60s" with a tuck 'n' roll job that'd make Eddie Martinez take a second look. Along with a set of wide white radials mounted on gold steelies with authentic Olds Fiesta caps, Shaw's pinstriping not only finishes up the pickup in fine fashion, it almost takes you back to a little shop on Maywood Avenue in Slauson decades ago.
It goes without saying that George Poteet's '40 Ford is anything but "just a truck." More like, "Just a Beautiful Rendition of a Mild '60s Custom" if we don't mind saying so ourselves!