Some guys just excel at everything they do. In Fallon, Nevada, hot rod builder Richard Wright is one of those guys. With body hammers and dollies, with spray guns and airbrushes, with lettering quills and pinstriping swords, he’s a multi-craft master—and you should see what he can do with a Ticonderoga No. 2. Like other artists, my friend Rich is a perfectionist, and I could offer this feature’s tech sheet as proof. It’s well done to the point where we might as well just let it tell its own story of this tasty little 1936 Ford hot rod pickup. Let’s do that.
In the words of Richard Wright: “The truck came off a farm in Colorado in 1989 and went through a few owners in California, all with the same goal of restoring it back to some semblance of originality. When it came under my stewardship it had a very sick Ford Flathead 8BA, top-loader three-speed, and stock 1936 rearend, but otherwise it was in pretty decent shape.
“I immediately added a 4-inch-dropped axle utilizing the Magnum disc brakes already in place. Then I replaced the Sears Allstate tires with some Coker Firestones and started enjoying what turned out to be a very fun little truck. Instant hot rod!
“A couple thousand miles later the Flathead gave up the ghost so I decided to swap it for a 1958 Chevy 283, backed with a Ford C4 automatic to make driving a little easier for my wife. A Griffin radiator/shroud/electric fan assembly keeps it nice and cool and below the bed a B&M cooler keeps the trans happy.
“Wishbones were split using kits supplied by Hot Rod Works and they also rebuilt the rearend, upgrading it with an open-drive conversion and slip-in axles, while leaving the 1940 juice brakes in place.
“Exhaust was replaced with 2-inch tubes and MagnaFlow mufflers. Fuel system components were flushed, cleaned, and replaced as well, while an EZ Wiring kit simplified electrical needs. Upgraded steering is Flaming River Vega-type, and the truck goes nice and straight.
“The paint is old but serviceable. According to a receipt found in the package I got with the pickup, it was painted in 1991 by Hector’s Trailer Repair in Agoura Hills, California. Plain old acrylic enamel can’t be beat for long-term durability. I’ve done a bit of repair in a few places. I checkerboarded the firewall after filling 37 holes and woodgrained the dash, but 90 percent is still the older work of others.”
So, here we have an example of an acceptable shortcut. In this instance, pickin’ up the pieces of an unfinished pickup saved its builder time. Since time is supposedly money, this approach could be a win-win! At any rate, it doesn’t so much matter now, as the completed project has settled in as a member of the Wright family. Oh, a while or two back it was briefly for sale, but Rich’s wife sure would have missed it. After all, she enjoys drivin’ it, too.
Facts & Figures
1936 Ford Pickup
Richard Wright
CHASSIS
Frame: Stock
Rearend / Ratio: Ford banjo-type with Hot Rod Works open driveline ’n’ slip-in axles
Rear Suspension: Stock configuration
Rear Brakes: 1940 Ford
Front Suspension: 4-inch dropped axle
Front Brakes: Magnum axle disc kit on Ford spindles
Steering Box: Flaming River Vega-type
Front Wheels: Ford 16×4
Rear Wheels: Ford 16×5
Front Tires: Coker Firestone 5.00/5.25×16
Rear Tires: Coker Firestone 7.00×16
Gas Tank: Stock
DRIVETRAIN
Engine: 1958 Chevy 283
Heads: Stock
Valve Covers: Original Corvette
Manifold / Induction: Stock cast-iron four-barrel
Ignition: PerTronix Flame Thrower
Headers: Original ramhorns
Exhaust / Mufflers: MagnaFlow
Transmission: Ford C4
Shifter: Lokar with custom shift knob
BODY
Style: Pickup
Modifications: Firewall notched to accommodate 283
Fenders Front / Rear: Stock steel
Hood: Stock
Grille: Stock
Bodywork and Paint by: Previous owner, finished by Richard Wright
Paint Type / Color: Beige ’n’ black acrylic enamel
Headlights / Taillights: Stock headlights with sealed beams, 1939 Ford taillights
Outside mirrors: Stock
Bumpers: Stock
INTERIOR
Dashboard: Stock, woodgrained by Richard Wright
Gauges: Stewart-Warner
Air Conditioning: None
Stereo: None
Steering Wheel: Cracked-up stocker, restored by Richard Wright
Steering Column: Modified stocker
Seats: Homemade, origin unknown
Upholstery by: Unknown, commissioned by previous owner
Material / Color: Brown vinyl
Carpet: None
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