The works of well-known designers, such as Steve Stanford and Thom Taylor, inspired Brian's career in hot-rod design. He began drawing concepts for local shops, then stepped up to SEMA Show projects, die-cast toys, and custom graphic design. Brian prefers realistic designs-executable projects that fit a client's budget and the capabilities of the likely builder-over blue-sky concepts. He would like to realize his childhood dream of designing Hot Wheels cars, someday, but is content with realizing hot-rod fantasies on paper for now.
Take a look at this homage to Ford's muscle-car heritage. Called the '08 Bronco Boss 302 concept, it combines simple with different, a not-so-out-there idea that still triggers a double take. Brian started by lopping five inches from an Extended Cab shortbed wheelbase, then added roof and tailgate cues from the Expedition. Flush-fit rear glass on the rear doors granted the illusion of larger quarter windows. The headlamp vent treatment was inspired by the '70 Mustang. A fully custom front fascia has a large lower grille and brake-cooling ducts. Air flows over the top of the grille's deflector and exits the Ford GT-inspired hood vent, while sweeping hot air from the engine compartment. Vents in the lower area of the deflector feeds intercoolers. The lower air dam mimics its classic pony counterpart, and the lower side cladding obscures the side-exit exhaust and blends to the rear brake duct. Three-piece alloys are stopped by massive rotors and six-piston calipers. Under the hood resides a new Boss 302 block with twin turbos and a six-speed transmission, complete with a 9-inch housing out back.
The vehicle's modern-looking interior is expressed with gray and yellow muscularity. A full-length center console separates mock '70s Mustang rear seats and high-back buckets, past the Hurst T-handle shifter, before intersecting to the dash with its re-contoured top and centrally mounted boost gauges. A white-faced instrument panel, a passenger grab handle, and a Mustang-themed steering wheel complete the look.