1955 Ford Panel Truck

My Build for the 3rd Annual Unified Scaled Automotive Creators (USACC) Group Build.
Started: September 15, 2023
Ended: January 21, 2024

My finished 55 panel truck superimposed by plumbing supply
My finished 55 panel truck superimposed by plumbing supply

Return to the Home Page

About this Build

This years USACC build is a 1955 Ford Truck. We could use a pickup or a panel van. I had a 55 Ford pickup in my stash; however, I always wanted to do a panel van, or as they called them in that era, a panel truck. I started my search for the 55 Panel Truck.

I really wanted the Moogram Kit #2772, the "Bootlegger"; however, it is no longer available, but I found one on Ebay at a reasonable price, so I grabbed it. The Scalemates information is in the description of the box art image that is the first image of this photo journal.

My 2nd Cousin, who we called Smokey, had just passed away at the time of this build. He owned a plumbing business and in honor of my cousin I decided to make this truck a plumbing service truck.

I always use the USACC build to try a lot of things that I never tried before and I plan to make a lot of modifications to this kit. Here are some of the modification and additions I'm planning on:

So...as the great one says, "And away we go!"



Photo/Video/Assembly Journal
93 Photos

YouTube logo
YouTube playlist for my build of the 1955 Ford Panel Truck

Opening

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Box art for the Monogram 1955 Ford Panel Truck Box Art for the '55 Ford Panel Truck

Photo 001

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Created a ring to throw my hat in Created a ring to throw my hat in

Photo 002

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Threw my hat in the ring Threw my hat in the ring

Photo 003

Click/tap photo to enlarge

A scratch built 1:24 scale 24-foot extension ladder A scratch built 1:24 scale 24-foot extension ladder

Photo 004

Click/tap photo to enlarge

3D printed bench seat 3D printed bench seat

Photo 005

Click/tap photo to enlarge

3D printed bench seat dry fitted to the interior tub 3D printed bench seat dry fitted to the interior tub

Photo 006

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Some small parts have been primed and waiting to dry Some small parts have been primed and waiting to dry

Photo 007

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Scratch built ladder painted with Vallejo 77.701 aluminum drying Scratch built ladder painted with Vallejo 77.701 aluminum drying

Photo 008

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Back door hinge locations are marked Back door hinge locations are marked

Photo 009

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Rear door hinge concep Rear door hinge concep

Photo 010

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Wheels, brake rotors and calipers Wheels, brake rotors and calipers

Photo 011

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Tires primed and painted Tamiya Rubber Black Tires primed and painted Tamiya Rubber Black

Photo 012

Click/tap photo to enlarge

ires and wheels assembled ires and wheels assembled

Photo 013

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Frame, interior tub, rear differential and front suspension dry fitted Frame, interior tub, rear differential and front suspension dry fitted

Photo 014

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Checking engine compartment clearance with radiator installed Checking engine compartment clearance with radiator installed

Photo 015

Click/tap photo to enlarge

How did the 426 Hemi get it's name How did the 426 Hemi get it's name

Photo 016

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Hemi engine dual carburetors and exhaust manifolds installed Hemi engine dual carburetors and exhaust manifolds installed

Photo 017

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Exhaust manifold pipe had to be cut Exhaust manifold pipe had to be cut

Photo 018

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Valve covers painted with Vallejo 77.716 Semi Matt Aluminum Valve covers painted with Vallejo 77.716 Semi Matt Aluminum

Photo 019

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Hemi engine being dry fitted into the frame Hemi engine being dry fitted into the frame

Photo 020

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Valve covers, distributor cap and crank pulley installed Valve covers, distributor cap and crank pulley installed

Photo 021

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Water pump and alternator pulley mounted and engine drilled to mount alternator Water pump and alternator pulley mounted and engine drilled to mount alternator

Photo 022

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Font of completed engine with fan and belt installed Font of completed engine with fan and belt installed

Photo 023

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Photo of engine from the right front corner Photo of engine from the right front corner

Photo 024

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Photo of engine from the right front corner Photo of engine from the right front corner

Photo 025

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Ford engine motor mounts had to be removed from the frame Ford engine motor mounts had to be removed from the frame

Photo 026

Click/tap photo to enlarge

First attempt at a hemi motor mount First attempt at a hemi motor mount

Photo 027

Click/tap photo to enlarge

New scratch built motor mounts using channel and square stock New scratch built motor mounts using channel and square stock

Photo 028

Click/tap photo to enlarge

New scratch built motor mounts installed on the frame New scratch built motor mounts installed on the frame

Photo 029

Click/tap photo to enlarge

New cross member with a hole in the center for mounting the transmission to the frame New cross member with a hole in the center for mounting the transmission to the frame

Photo 030

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Transmission positioned on the new cross member Transmission positioned on the new cross member

Photo 031

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Front frame cross member cut out to allow the crank pulley to clear the frame Front frame cross member cut out to allow the crank pulley to clear the frame

Photo 032

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Hemi dry fitted on new mounts Hemi dry fitted on new mounts

Photo 033

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Spark plug and coil wire installed in the distributor cap Spark plug and coil wire installed in the distributor cap

Photo 034

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Wired engine left side Wired engine left side

Photo 035

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Wired engine right side Wired engine right side

Photo 036

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Wired engine front view Wired engine front view

Photo 037

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Rear axle, differential and coil over shocks installed Rear axle, differential and coil over shocks installed

Photo 038

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Front shocks are installed Front shocks are installed

Photo 039

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Bottom view of the frame Bottom view of the frame

Photo 040

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Side view of the frame Side view of the frame

Photo 041

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Engine mounted on the frame Engine mounted on the frame

Photo 042

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Top view of the frame with the engine mounted Top view of the frame with the engine mounted

Photo 043

Click/tap photo to enlarge

The drive shaft has been installed The drive shaft has been installed

Photo 044

Click/tap photo to enlarge

The air cleaner is installed on the engine The air cleaner is installed on the engine

Photo 045

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Top view of the frame Top view of the frame

Photo 046

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Side view of the wheels and tires are installed on the frame Side view of the wheels and tires are installed on the frame

Photo 047

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Top view of the chassis with the wheels and tires installed Top view of the chassis with the wheels and tires installed

Photo 048

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Body sanded and roof rack uprights are installed Body sanded and roof rack uprights are installed

Photo 049

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Card board used as a spacer to mount the roof rack cross members. Card board used as a spacer to mount the roof rack cross members.

Photo 050

Click/tap photo to enlarge

The Roof racks are installed The Roof racks are installed

Photo 051

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Back view of the installed roof racks. Back view of the installed roof racks.

Photo 052

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Test spoons for body colors Test spoons for body colors

Photo 053

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Scratch built a cross-flow radiator Scratch built a cross-flow radiator

Photo 054

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Scratch built radiator fits perfectly in the opening, front view Scratch built radiator fits perfectly in the opening, front view

Photo 055

Click/tap photo to enlarge

This is the radiator from the back side, the engine bay side This is the radiator from the back side, the engine bay side

Photo 056

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Attempting to paint wood grain Attempting to paint wood grain

Photo 057

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Truck bed with the masking tape removed Truck bed with the masking tape removed

Photo 058

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Interior tub and running boards painted Interior tub and running boards painted

Photo 059

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Leather seat painted Leather seat painted

Photo 060

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Interior tub is finished Interior tub is finished

Photo 061

Click/tap photo to enlarge

The interior tub looking from the back of the van The interior tub looking from the back of the van

Photo 062

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Dash board is painted Dash board is painted

Photo 063

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Detailed dash board Detailed dash board

Photo 064

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Interior tub setting on the frame, left side Interior tub setting on the frame, left side

Photo 065

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Interior tub setting on the frame, right side Interior tub setting on the frame, right side

Photo 066

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Interior tub setting on the frame, from the front Interior tub setting on the frame, from the front

Photo 067

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Interior tub setting on the frame, from the back Interior tub setting on the frame, from the back

Photo 068

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Interior tub from back showing small instrument cluster Interior tub from back showing small instrument cluster

Photo 069

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Body is masked for painting the side panels Body is masked for painting the side panels

Photo 070

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Mask removed showing the side panels Mask removed showing the side panels

Photo 071

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Side panels masked so that body can be painted Side panels masked so that body can be painted

Photo 072

Click/tap photo to enlarge

First coat of body color applied to body First coat of body color applied to body

Photo 073

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Second and third coat on the body Second and third coat on the body

Photo 074

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Side panel masking removed Side panel masking removed

Photo 075

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Roof racks and chrome parts were painted Roof racks and chrome parts were painted

Photo 076

Click/tap photo to enlarge

All the masking tape was removed All the masking tape was removed

Photo 077

Click/tap photo to enlarge

The front of the body with the radiator were installed The front of the body with the radiator were installed

Photo 078

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Engine compartment view from the roof Engine compartment view from the roof

Photo 079

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Completed Build Completed Build

Photo 080

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Completed Build Completed Build

Photo 081

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Completed Build Completed Build

Photo 082

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Completed Build Completed Build

Photo 083

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Completed Build Completed Build

Photo 084

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Completed Build Completed Build

Photo 085

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Completed Build Completed Build

Photo 086

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Hood open looking at the engine Hood open looking at the engine

Photo 087

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Exhaust pipes made from solder to join with the side pipes Exhaust pipes made from solder to join with the side pipes

Photo 088

Click/tap photo to enlarge

My custom decal My custom decal

Photo 089

Click/tap photo to enlarge

A moonshine still A moonshine still

Photo 090

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Burner to heat the still Burner to heat the still

Photo 091

Click/tap photo to enlarge

Scratch built table with burner mounted on the bottom Scratch built table with burner mounted on the bottom

Photo 092

Click/tap photo to enlarge

The completed still The completed still

Go to the top of this photo page

Return to the Home Page

YouTube Logo
Facebook Logo
Rumble Logo

Skip's Messy Workbench ⇔ All rights reserved ⇔ Copyright © 2023-2025
Skip's Messy Workbench ⇔ Last updated: August 08, 2025

Valid HTML!
Valid CSS!