I’ve always viewed traditional Hot Rods as the ultimate custom cars. Their creators let their imagination off the leash, and typically, all that remains of the original car is its body. Such is the case with this 1937 Ford Series 77 Pickup. Its presentation is stunning, and no aspect of this classic has escaped the owner’s attention. It is the finer details that lift it beyond the ordinary. It features a V8 under the hood, but the owner’s choice provides a modern twist that helps to set this beauty apart. The time is right for the Pickup to find a new home, so the seller has listed it here on Barn Finds Classifieds in Montgomery, Texas. You could take it home by handing them $42,000.

There’s much to unpack with this Ford and much to appreciate about the owner’s approach to creating a genuinely unique classic. The all-steel body sits atop a TCI chassis, forming a sound foundation for the build. The panels are laser-straight, and the consistent gaps confirm that plenty of time and effort went into this high-quality build. The owner supplies a comprehensive set of photos proving that this Pickup is rust-free and that you could eat off its underside. The striking combination of Red and Black paint has a fantastic depth of color and shine, with no visible flaws or defects. It would undoubtedly turn heads, a trait emphasized by the 17″ and 18″ Foose wheels. The trim, including the 1937 Ford grille, is spotless, and the glass is crystal clear. One original feature retained during the build is the split windshield with its functioning twist opening mechanism. It provides flow-through ventilation, and is ideal for those preferring their air served up by Mother Nature. The bed features hand-finished Tigerwood with polished stainless steel strips and conceals a 15-gallon fuel tank.

The roots of the Hot Rod scene developed from a need to compromise, with creators building cars utilizing whatever parts were either cheap or free. Many early cars featured flathead V8s, although OHV engines came to the fore as they became affordable and readily available. This Ford’s engine bay houses a V8, but it isn’t one that would typically spring to mind as the ideal candidate. However, it provides a modern twist, producing a perfect combination of power and refinement. Lexus introduced the 1UZ-FE V8 to its model range in 1989. This 4.0-liter powerplant features all-aluminum construction, quad camshafts, thirty-two valves, and fuel injection. It produced 250hp and 260 ft/lbs of torque when powering a 1989 Lexus LS 400, although extracting additional ponies was never a problem courtesy of tweaking the ECU. The owner backed this V8 with a four-speed Toyota A341 automatic transmission and a GM 10-bolt 3.73 rear end, providing excellent performance. This motor has a traditional V8 rumble, thanks to the custom Borla stainless steel exhaust system. The story doesn’t end there because they upgraded the suspension to provide a complete mechanical package. The Mustang II was a much-maligned beast, but it possessed a front end and rack-and-pinion steering that was ideal for Hot Rodding. The seller chose those components for this build, adding QA1 coil-over shocks. The 10-bolt is located by a triangulated 4-link setup, also utilizing QA1 coil-overs. An aluminum radiator and a separate transmission cooler keep operating temperatures in check. The owner rebuilt the engine and transmission before slotting them into their new home, ensuring the vehicle is a turnkey proposition for its new owner.

This Pickup’s interior perfectly combines old-world charm with modern touches. The banjo-style wheel and retro-style AutoMeter gauges are a nod to its past, but the body-hugging bucket seats and custom leather trim bring the 21st Century to the interior. The Black leather features striking Red stitching, complimenting the exterior paint combination. The floors wear matching carpet, and the center console houses a wireless Bluetooth stereo that sends the tunes to four speakers via a 400-watt Scosche amplifier. The trim looks perfect, with no wear or other problems. The painted surfaces sparkle as impressively as the exterior, but the finer details help this interior to shine. The stitching on the door trims perfectly demonstrates this. It features a V8 design but cleverly integrates the Lexus logo as a nod to the engine’s roots. These finer details separate a good build from a great one.

Old-school Hot Rods are traditionally wild vehicles as owners focus heavily on performance. Many feature custom interiors, but few represent the complete package contained within this 1937 Ford Pickup. Its mechanical components should provide performance and refinement, while the interior includes modern touches that make any journey feel like a special occasion. The simple fact is that it would be impossible to recreate this vehicle for the owner’s price, so if a Rod has been on your radar, this could be the classic of your dreams.