Australia’s Finest 

Here in the good ol’ US of A, classic truck owners appreciate the differences between different builder’s styles, while embracing a basic common ground within makes and models. F-100 builders around the globe share the same mindset, with local communities influencing truck builds with their specific regional flavor. This is why we really wanted to do something fun and showcase awesome builds from around the globe in this jam-packed world-wide issue.     

On the clean and classic American end of the spectrum is Lachlan “Locky” McCann’s ’55 F-100. Locky has spent his entire life around classic and custom American autos. His father owns and operates a classic automotive collectors’ business that Locky has been fortunate enough to transition into. In 2017 Locky was once again bitten by the classic truck bug, and with an F-100 in mind, he searched high and low to find the perfect build. When he finally stumbled across this gorgeous ’55, he wasn’t disappointed.

This quintessential ’55 F-100 build is the perfect balance of modified, restored and preserved. Its style is timeless, avoiding trends or fads. Everything is well done without being overdone. The truck strikes an impeccable muscle truck stance, thanks to its adaptation of a Mustang-II-style front clip. The control arms are custom tubular units. The frame has been boxed and restored for an ultra-strong and ultra-clean foundation. The rear deploys a mild C-notch for additional clearance of the flipped rearend. Both the front and rear are suspended with KYB shocks. Along with the Mustang-II-style front, power rack-and-pinion steering has replaced the original.

Beneath the all-original fenders rides a set of 15-inch chrome smoothie-style wheels. The fronts are 8 inches wide, paired with 225/60R15 BF Goodrich tires. The rears come in at 10 inches wide and use 295 series BFGs. Brand-new power disc brakes back the front and rear. The addition of a more modern suspension, radial tires, power brakes and steering make all the difference in the world when comparing the drivability of a classic. This performance Ford now cruises with ease and handles with precision.

The star of the muscle-truck show is the 351 Windsor V-8 motivation. The iconic Ford small-block includes roller rockers, an Edelbrock four-barrel carburetor and air cleaner. Custom headers and exhaust are routed beneath the truck. The power is sent through a Ford C6 automatic trans to the shortened and flipped Ford 9-inch rear. The powertrain is additionally modernized with MSD ignition and distributor.

The ’55’s exterior is hard to miss in its Tuxedo Black wardrobe. Subtle and thorough bodywork are the appearance’s custom x-factor. The tray ends have been smoothed and filled. Deluxe-style grille teeth from a 1953 model were adapted. The tailgate chains were shaved for a hidden strap-and-clap fixture. Both the front and rear bumpers were tucked for a much more modern presentation. Once the custom work was completed, the glassy black paint job was applied with extreme patience. The resulting clarity provides the basis for the exterior’s excellence.

Locky notes that the interior is his favorite portion of the build, describing it as, “Super simple but classy; the right mix of flawless gloss black paint with beige leather …” One glance and you can confirm the accuracy of his description. The dash is fully smoothed and paint-matched to the body. It includes a full billet steering column from ididit and Forever Sharp steering wheel. The billet hardware extends to the floor pedals and knobs across the dash. The cabin is adorned with custom carpet and a suede headliner. The door cards are trimmed in diamond-stitched beige leather. The custom upholstery flows over the restored and trimmed bench seat.

A true classic halfway around the globe shows that the Aussie F-100s share the diversity of the truck community around the globe. They are perfectly at home in a land of massive extremes; a country infamous for its laid-back culture and seemingly deadly nature. These badass Fords parallel those characteristics and demonstrate how the full spectrum of styles and tastes can exist within each local scene to create a realm of custom trucks known and loved around the globe.

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TECH SPECS

Lachlan McCann

1955 Ford F-100
Upper Coomera, Queensland, Australia

Chassis & Suspension

• Mustang II front clip
• Boxed frame
• Tubular control arms
• Shortened and flipped Ford 9-inch rearend
• Rear leaf springs
• Notched rear chassis
• KYB shocks
• Power rack-and-pinion steering

Powertrain

• Ford 351 Windsor V-8
• Edelbrock four-barrel carb
• Edelbrock air cleaner
• C6 auto trans
• Custom headers and exhaust

Brakes

• Power front and rear disc brakes

Wheels & Tires

• Front: 15×8-inch chrome smoothies
• 225/60R15 BF Goodrich tires
• Rear: 15×10-inch chrome smoothies
• 295/50R15 BF Goodrich tires

Body & Paint

• Shaved tailgate chains
• Smoothed and filled tray ends
• Tucked front and rear bumpers
• 1953 Deluxe grille teeth
• Tuxedo Gloss Black paint

Interior & Stereo

• Custom-upholstered trimmed bench seat and door cards in diamond-stitched beige leather
• Custom suede headliner
• Custom carpet and floor mats
• Smoothed and paint-matched dash
• Billet ididit steering column
• Billet dash hardware
• Forever Sharp steering wheel

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