Rat rod Ford pickup truck -"Potato Head" aka "Yukon Gold"

Modeling Subjects
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Someone appropriately described the cab as looking like a potato. So this collection of few 1960s parts became the Potato Head Model A pickup truck, also known now as “Yukon Gold”. The project took quite a long time to complete as the builder is a rat rodder by “trade”, that is, inexperienced. It is said of rat rodders that they really don’t know what they are doing, but somehow they get a vehicle drivable and to roll. Such was the case with Potato Head. It might not be drivable, but it does roll. Many parts were scratch-built and they indeed look like it. The paint job is rough as are many other features on the truck. Noice the warped plywood bed. The radiator. The different “welds”.

All I know is that for as rough as it looks, it took an inordinate amount of time to “build” this model. If fit and finish were required, it would have never happened. It was lowered as much as possible. Scratch-built parts are: radiator and hoses, two spare tires, entire truck bed and tailgate, roof cover, some suspension elements, partial firewall, interior floor, dashboard, all three foot pedals, gear shifter, window glass, door handles, rear view mirror, rear taillights, and aluminum license plates covering “1940” on both bumpers.

Thanks for looking…

Potato Head:

Early stages:

“Finished”:

Someone appropriately described the cab as looking like a potato. So this collection of few 1960s parts became the Potato Head Model A pickup truck, also known now as “Yukon Gold”. The project took quite a long time to complete as the builder is a rat rodder by “trade”, that is, inexperienced. It is said of rat rodders that they really don’t know what they are doing, but somehow they get a vehicle drivable and to roll. Such was the case with Potato Head. It might not be drivable, but it does roll. Many parts were scratch-built and they indeed look like it. The paint job is rough as are many other features on the truck. Noice the warped plywood bed. The radiator. The different “welds”.

All I know is that for as rough as it looks, it took an inordinate amount of time to “build” this model. If fit and finish were required, it would have never happened. It was lowered as much as possible. Scratch-built parts are: radiator and hoses, two spare tires, entire truck bed and tailgate, roof cover, some suspension elements, partial firewall, interior floor, dashboard, all three foot pedals, gear shifter, window glass, door handles, rear view mirror, rear taillights, and aluminum license plates covering “1940” on both bumpers.

Thanks for looking…

Potato Head:

Early stages:

“Finished”:

3 Likes
2

The motor is a Hemi, right?

3

I really like the looks of this hot rod pick up. The colors go well together and look just “right”

4

I think it looks great, i need to star saving my spares and create a rat rod one of these days.

5

Looks like a flathead ford

6

Sure does look like a potato :). Very cool build. I think it looks pretty wicked with the bed off.

7

An awesome build. Good paint selection. I especially like the look of the wheels and fenders. All of a sudden, I’m wanting baked potatoes for dinner tonight😉. Thanks for sharing this one.

8

Thanks for all the kind words. Appreciate y’alls interest.

Here is what is left in the box of parts that contained old rat rod Potato Head truck, so these are “relatives” of his, so to speak. All the mods and parts are from the early 60s. Not much to start with but the parts are still cool after all these years. Problems are with no complete interiors, only one seat, one chassis, and no suspension systems. Probably can come up with some wheels and tires, and maybe a decent engine. Beyond that it looks like a lot of scratch building.

Which one do you think I should begin with?

9

There’s an article in AutoModeler this month where the author mashes up a few kits to replicate a Tom Daniel drawing. Might have the parts to do something similar