Modern Technology and Talent Combine to Create a Stunning 1933 Ford Roadster Pickup Street Rod
Two years after winning the PPG Street Machine of the Year title with his ’67 Mustang, Danny Shaffer returned to Columbus with this ’33 Ford roadster pickup to compete for Classic Instruments Street Rod of the Year. It’s obvious this is a stunning execution of a classis 1933 Ford Roadster Pickup, but learn more about the project and you’ll discover that it’s a thoroughly modern build that combines CAD, 3D printing, and other high-tech elements in almost every area.
Danny worked with designer Mark Trostle and the teams at Detroit Metal Shaping Company and Motor City Solutions to produce the finished product. Starting with a Speed 33 steel body, only the doors, cowl, and part of the floor were used. Every other part of the body was built by hand in the style of the vintage coach builders.
The back half of the body, firewall, floor, running boards, and bed were hand-built. The car has a 9-inch stretched wheelbase from stock and was tubbed in the rear to allow 10-inch wheels. Motor City Solutions ultimately covered the completed body with a custom mix deep red finish of Sikkens paint.
Power comes from an all-aluminum 511c.i. Roush FE V8 producing 600 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque. A Borla eight-stack induction system features 3D-printed velocity stacks. Other 3D-printed components include the oil breather, valve cover emblems and inset, wire looms, custom headers, and an exhaust system using Stainless Bros components. A Bowler 4R70W transmission is connected to an Eaton Truetrac differential with 3.90 gears.
The custom chassis from Precision Hot Rods features Kugel independent front and rear suspensions and Wilwood 12-inch disc brakes at each corner. The Mike Curtis one-off custom wheels (16×6.5 in front, 17×10 in the rear) are encased in Goodyear Eagle RS-A tires.
The interior is also the result of extensive CAD work and 3D printing by Detroit Metal Shaping and Motor City Solutions, with design work by Root Bros. The hand-built dash houses custom Classic Instruments gauges. The seats are scratch built and covered in dark gray Spinneybeck leather. A one-off steering wheel resides on a custom Ididit tilt column, while the door handles, pedals, and trim pieces were all produced in house, including 3D-printed parts in aluminum and titanium. The rear waterfall and console were hand made.
The teamwork involved to pull off this type of build, especially the heavy use of emerging technologies, required a commitment from everyone involved. Joe McKeen of Detroit Metal Shaping probably says it best: “Getting all the people, processes, and parts in place to ensure success was daunting,” he says. The results, however, are nothing short of stunning.
Photos: John Jackson, Damon Lee
