As it is for many others, “speed” was what initially sparked Dan Stracener’s interest in the collector car hobby.  Dan has owned several muscle cars throughout the years, including a 1963 Corvette, 1966 GTO, 1967 442, and a 1967 GTO that was originally bought for his son.  Twenty years later, Dan says the family still owns the ‘67 GTO and remarks that it has a permanent home with them.

Dan adds, with a chuckle, “I also had a 1968 442 the day before I got married.  The day after I got married, my wife had one.”

So, through the years, it seems as though the whole family has grown fond of fast cars.  But, despite the long list of muscle cars owned, and Dan’s appreciation for velocity, this collector car enthusiast’s latest build was not created with speed in mind, nor is it a muscle car. 

Dan says that he had been looking for a 1965 Pick-Up, similar to one that he had 30 years ago, that was used as a second vehicle.  He adds that he believes the 1965 Pick Ups are the most beautiful of all Ford trucks.  Therefore, Dan most recently built a 1965 Ford F-100 Custom Cab.

“I didn’t build the truck for speed,” he says.  “Although it has a powerful motor, it’s not geared for speed.  I’m too old for that.”

Instead, Dan built the truck around a theme: “Eleanor”— as in the Eleanor Mustang that was featured in the movie Gone in 60 Seconds.

“I spent over a year and a half accumulating hard-to-find parts and developing the overall theme,” says Dan.  “As the truck progressed in its build, I decided to use the features of the Eleanor.  The paint is PPG Pepper Gray Metallic, and those are actual 17 inch Halibrand Cobra wheels with authentic knock offs made especially for this truck.”

Dan explains that he called Halibrand and requested that the wheels be designed with solely his truck in mind.  He says that they are one-of-a-kind.

This vehicle is also unique in that it is powered by a 429/460 Police Interceptor mated to a C-6 automatic transmission.  Power disc brakes, air conditioning, power steering and a custom interior round out the restoration. 

Dan remarks that just about everything in this truck is “new”—which is quite a change from the original state in which Dan found the truck, three years ago, when he purchased it for $350.00.  

And, while Dan just finished the build this past June, he says that it is already time to part with the it, as he had intended to sell from the get-go. 

If the truck does not sell by May, Dan plans on bringing it out to the Ford F-100 Nationals.  The Ford has been to two car shows, picking up third place at one and placing in the Top 10 in the other. 

If you are interested in purchasing this truck, please send an e-mail to newsletter@grundy.com, to be put into contact with Dan Stracener.

Story by: Becky McLaughlin