William Gerry's 1953 Ford

Bill's truck as it appeared when it was featured on the cover of Truckin' August 1975. Photo courtesy of Truckin' Magazine.

Bill's truck, Mother Lode, on the cover of Truckin' August 1975. Photo courtesy of Truckin' Magazine.

The featured story on Mother Lode from Truckin' August 1975. Photo courtesy of Truckin' Magazine.

Mother Load as it appeared while Marcus Edell owned it. This photo was taken at the Eagle Field Drag Strip. Photo courtesy of Marcus Edell.

Photo courtesy of Marcus Edell.

Photo courtesy of Marcus Edell.

Photo courtesy of Marcus Edell.

Photo courtesy of Marcus Edell.

Photo courtesy of Marcus Edell.

1953 Ford F-100 truck owned by F-100 Elites member William Gerry of San Jose, Calfornia. The appearance of Bill's truck was cleaned up by removing the front and rear bumper. The bumper mounting-holes in the front rolled pan were welded shut, and the hood was shaved for chrome and ornamentation. The rear of the car was dressed up featuring a chromed rear end, that became very visible without the rear bumper. Around 1970/1971 Bill's truck received a 1972 Porsche Gold paint job by the guys at A&J Body Shop in San Jose. San Jose custom painter Bob Heinrichs gave the car a flame paint job. Bob did also pinstripe the truck, and he lettered the name "Mother Lode" on the shaved hood. The roof of the truck featured a black vinyl top. In 1975 Bill's truck was featured on the cover of Truckin' August 1975. This version featured a custom tufted Naugahyde upholstery by John Weatherly of Campbell. John did also fit the car with padded running boards, and a black Naugahyde tarp for the bed. Under the tarp, the bed featured stained and varnished wood as well as chrome strips. Other featured included bucket seats, a 1964 Ford radio, chrome steering column and a wooden steering wheel. It was powered by a powerful 1967 Ford 390 FE engine. The engine compartment was dressed up featuring a chromed radiator and valve covers. This version ran Ansen Sprints wheels with Goodyear Polygas GT tires. According to the captions in Truckin' August 1975, Bill's truck had won 1st and 2nd in class on the two shows he had attended with it.

Satan's Angels member Marcus Edell of Castro Valley, California found the truck advertised for sale on Craigslist in 2013. The photos were not good, but Marcus could see the old Gold paint and the flames, so he knew it had to be done back in the days. The son of the owner had it for sale. His dad has just passed away, and he was selling his car collection off. His dad owned a used car lot in San Leandro, California in the 1970s and the 1980s. He bought it in 1978 or 1979, and he tried to run it through Golden Gate Auctions in Fremont around 1984. The reserve back then was $6500, and there were no winning bidders. He stored the truck in an airplane hangar in Livermore, California until Marcus bought it. The son of the owner brought it to Acme Auto Repair in Concord, California, who got it running. All the freeze plugs in the 390 were leaking. The seller thought the car had a 427 engine, as the finned valve covers said 427 on them. Other than the leaks, the truck ran great. Marcus began by pulling the engine; "We were going to do a rebuild, but the engine was so clean and looked like new, so we left it alone. I installed an old Offy 4bbl intake, an Edelbrock carb, new water pump, got rid of the beat up rusty headers and installed nice coated Sanderson headers, converted the Dual point Mallory with a Pertronix Ignitor, new coil, converted generator to new chrome one wire alternator, recored original chromed radiator, new Lokar shifter to replace the 67 Mustang shifter, new gauge panel in polished cast alum to replace woodgrain panel, new steering wheel, new carpet, installed new rear chrome bumper, Lowered the Hell out of it with dropped Axle and springs up front, rebuilt steering linkage, lowering springs in rear, new gas tank and sending unit, went through all the brakes, had new AC Hoses made and it still blew air but needed R12 Freon to blow cold air. New wheels and tires, and new exhaust with Glasspacks. I then polished the original paint which was Lacquer." Marcus drove the car to several shows after he got it back on the road. In 2014 he displayed it at the Grand National Roadster Show and the Sacramento Autorama. The same year, it was featured on the cover of Traditional Rod and Kulture Summer 2014. Marcus sold the old custom to Vince Lopez of Manteca, California in the Summer of 2014.

Magazine Features and Appearances

Truckin' August 1975
Traditional Rod and Kulture Summer 2014