Projects The ACME VAN build thread

The ACME Van - 1961 International Metro
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This van was originally purchased by the US Air force in 1961 and grew up at Fairchild AFB in eastern Washington<ST1</ST1. It, like many of its kind, was part of a bulk purchase by the military and was used for on-base duties ranging from shuttling laundry, mail, and moving personnel. There was some yellow and blue paint under the old baby blue color it was wearing when we got it; both are Air Force colors.

Sometime around 1995 it was sold to a guy in eastern Washington <ST1</ST1who used it for tool storage on construction sites for several years. You can see his sign on it in a few of the photos below. It was then sold to another guy in <ST1</ST1but he never did anything with it until we bought it in 2009. As far as I can tell we are the 4th owners.



I called on a long time friend Bruce Stedman of Street Machines by Stedman to do the majority of the build for us. Bruce has built a handful of cars and trucks for us over the years and is always great to collaborate with. The timing was perfect as Bruce’s shop was a little slow plus he shared my vision of what this truck needed to become. We did some of the detail stuff at our shop (ACME) like seat brackets, interior panels, engine cover, but the bulk of the work was done by Bruce.


The build list.<O</O
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350 GM crate motor (basic 290 hp model)
700r4 transmission
9” Ford rear with 373 gears
Jim Meyer Racing heavy duty IFS with 12” disc brakes
New wiring
New Fuel and Brake lines
Moon Gauges (by Cl***ic Instruments)
1956 Ford-o-matic steering column (retrofitted by Charles Franklin at V8 Restorations)
1948 Ford steering wheel
Paint and Body by bob Cole at Cole Automotive, <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com</st1:City><ST1Long Beach</ST1
Seat frames with integral 3 point belts by Wise Guys
Upholstery by Pete Engel of Westminster <ST1</ST1Auto Upholstery
Signs by Me (John at SignSource / Acme Speed Shop)


This is the first photo I saw of the truck. Love at first site.




Delivery day. The truck arrives at the shop.



I will continue posting photos later but HAMB is not letting me add more photos right now.<O</O

 

I love that truck.... Keep the pics coming.

 

Continued........

Trans and engine out.



Before clean-up and undercoating




Rear end and drive line out





Engine and trans installed




Independent Front Suspension Installed



Wiring under way


More in a bit.......

 

Continued again............


Close-up of gauge panel / dash and steering column



New seat and Steering wheel mock-up. We plan on driving the snot out of this truck so it needs to be comfortable.




Bottom end of steering column. Needs to be shortened about 6" to match up with rack.



Steering wheel and gauges installed.



Articulating seat bracket in mock-up stage



Seat Brackets all fabricated and ready for a little clean-up before a final trial Run in the truck. Note the cardboard template in the background. This was the story board to make sure it would work.

 

And yet again.........more.

The new V-8 was a little wider than the old international straight 6 so I had to modify the engine cover.




Prepping for primer at Bob Cole's shop.




Primer and block sanding




It is almost ready for paint


We painted the interior with Rustoleum White and Hammer tone silver



Just got it back from Bob's paint shop. Now it is time to get it lettered.



Here it is with the signs painted sitting by our 36 Ford. I plan on painting the raised belt line the ACME red that is in the logo, but as of right now I have not had time to do it.



The signs on the rear doors. I barely got the signs painted in time for the Costa Mesa Good Guy's Show (we were vending there).


I have a few more things to do to it and then I will begin the long processs of wearing this thing out. As of today I have just over 2000 miles on the odometer.

Build 'em and drive 'em boys!

 

Is this a new truck,or just pic's from your build?

Nevermind....your other pic's just popped up.

 

*****in vending vehicle, you done good.

Frank

 

What happened to Denny Crane? Does he still work for you?

 

Denny Crane (Doug) is still the GM at SignSource (my day job) and he is doing fine. He has done some work on his 50 Merc. lately but has been too busy to post up his progress. His new quarters are in town so once he gets them mounted I'll get him to update his build thread.

 

That's an adorable little van!! Although your dog sure didn't think so.

 

Same truck, just really late on posting the photos. Hell, I've been so busy this year that I haven't even posted my road trip photos from the Lone Star Round-Up.

 

The pic's do not do justice to seeing it in person like I did at LA Roadster show and the owners are great to meet in person. Well done and hope to see ya again.

 

The pictures don't do this van justice, it's really much nicer in person . John , you did a great job , looking forward to seeing it with the belt line painted .

 

What a kool van, nice work for sure.....

 

Man, that is a GREAT looking van! Your logo really sets it off. It has a nice hot rod look with the fat tires and steel wheels. Very cool!

 

Very cool John,

Can't wait to see it in person!

 

Super cool indeed. It's pretty damn awesome in person.

 

I love the seat stand idea !............Dave

 

Looks great!!

 

Love it!!! Nice job.

 

Holy ****!!!! That thing is awesome!!!! I know of another apparel van that's going to blow peoples minds too. I want one now.

 

I have had about 3-4 people come up to me and tell em they have Metro vans for sale. If anybody wants the phone numbers PM me and I will send them to you.

 

Well before I do that I need to get a business going haha!!! Sugar City isn't what you would call established. One day though....thanks!!!

 

Nice.

 

John...saw the van at the OC Goodguys show...the pictures don't do it justice!
That is one nice ride! Great job.

 

Thanks for the pics, you made it all look so easy, and quick!

The van turned out stellar. It is the perfect mobile changing room

 

Sweet Lookin' ride there Mr Mearns.....can't wait to see it in person.

Johnnie

 

very cool van, nice work !

 

Very cool van, congrats.

 

too cool man