Jive-Bomber submitted a new blog post: Forbidden Fruit: The UK's Ford Pilot Continue reading the Original Blog Post
Looks like a good effort on Ford’s part. Not denying your interest in doing one up as a custom, wasn’t this kind of recovery ***istance part of the grand “Marshall Plan” effort to rebuild everything (Allied and Axis) destroyed in the war? What were the other Ford automotive efforts that might be H.A.M.B. worthy? GM, Chrysler, AMC, etc.? Right now I’m thinking of our French HAMBer friend and his cool mini-Merc custom build but I’m embarr***ed to say I can’t recall his handle at this moment.
Ford did the same thing with the Vedette in France. They looked like a 5/6 scale 1950 Mercury (with the very distinctive door dip). 2 door, more door, panel and convertible. V8-60 flathead powered.
I allways thought it strange that the wide five Pilot hubcaps had no V8 logo , just a big chrome dome thing. Heres my four. Pilot engine allways had the firing order embossed on the head too. A luxury option was the 4 corner hydraulic jacking system. Can,t imagine a British aristocrat gentleman getting on his knees to slide a jack under the car.
See: Vedette's thread... https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/ford-vedette-53-kustom-from-france.522436/
Basically all they did was a refreshed front end for their pre-war car. The earlier cars actually has a 35 style grill that went with the 35 style body.
In Australia (of course) ute versions were also made. Probably pretty easy since we made 1935 and 6 Fords as utes. I can't find any pics, but I know there have been multiple street rodded Pilots built with 36 Ford front sheet metal. It does look a lot better. (I have seen the evidence, but my quick google search hasn't found any examples )
I don't have time to do a proper one, so this unfinished butcher job will have to do for now, but this car is just begging to get made into a 3W coupe. All of the bits are there, even the character lines in the quarters.
There have been a couple used for 35/6 3 window conversion's, not many pilot hot rods over here are HAMB worthy, but there are a number around. There is a bit of a stigma with them in some circles due to their British origins. @X38 I don't think I have ever seen a pilot ute out here, very cool I have seen other pics of this one, made me start looking for a Pilot to buy. Missed a perfect candidate locally a few years back.
Pilot rear radius rods will sit a car a little lower than when 35/5 rods are used. The forged axle attachment/spring hanger is a slightly different shape.
I have a Pilot Ch***is put aside to 'repair' a 36 ch***is, it has extra kick-up at the rear. Their engine/gear box sits higher in the ch***is too. Wheelbase is 110" (ish)
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