The all-steel '48 Ford was stripped to bare metal, then the fenders, hood, cab, running boards, and bed were massaged by Dimuzio in his personal shop. A late-model GM gas filler door was relocated on top of the right rear fender. After he decided on a special blend of PPG Porsche Red, Ernie Garcia of Oceanside, California, sprayed endless coats of color and flawless clear. The incredible gold-leaf and burnt-orange pinstriping was applied by Pete "Hot Dog" Finlan. Up front, halogen headlights light up the road, while the rear displays the classic stock taillights. The stainless grille, badging, hood, side vent molding, door handles, and front and rear bumpers have all been reworked and polished. Pete stained and installed the beautiful white oak bed floor with stainless stringers.
The stock gas filler was eliminated...
The stock gas filler was eliminated and a GM gas filler door compartment was grafted neatly on top of the right rear fender.
Stylish polished stainless...
Stylish polished stainless molding and badging highlight the hood sides -- notice the carved side vent.
Inside the cab, the hand-crafted gray tweed and leather interior showcases the talents of the team at Armando's Upholstery in Santee, California. Before the dark-gray pile carpet was laid down, a layer of Dynamat was installed to deaden the road noise and dissipate engine and exhaust heat. A pair of van bucket seats were purchased at a swap meet, then re-foamed, reshaped, and covered in plush gray leather and tweed. Tweed-covered door panels are enhanced with custom-formed leather armrests. A stylish scalloped tweed headliner finishes off the interior dcor. The dash is accented with a custom billet-aluminum gauge cluster machined by Lindey Machine in Oceanside, California. VDO gauges display the engine's vital signs. To accommodate the passengers with a consistent comfort zone, Pete installed a Vintage Air air-conditioning system. A Sony head unit with Rockford Fosgate amps and boosters power both the high and midrange speakers located in the lower kick panels. Ground-shaking 12-inch subwoofers are located behind the seats.
Opening the door exposes the...
Opening the door exposes the immaculate interior. The tilt-steering column was yanked out of a '78 Chevy Monte Carlo and is capped with a LeCarra steering wheel. The smoothed dash is highlighted with a billet-aluminum VDO gauge cluster machined by the crew at Lindey Machine in Oceanside, California. A cool Vintage Air air-conditioning system maintains a comfortable climate during those hot summer nights.
Gray tweed door panels with...
Gray tweed door panels with custom-built leather armrests match the scalloped tweed headliner. Underneath it all, the dark-gray pile carpet contrasts with the light-gray interior components.
A pair of old van bucket seats...
A pair of old van bucket seats were purchased at a local swap meet, and reshaped and covered in gray tweed and leather.
Pete and his wife Darlene drive to all the show-'n'-shine events up and down the West Coast, displaying their pride and joy, attracting both attention and awards. Pete built the '48 with full intentions of presenting it to his son, Pete Jr., after he graduates from Arizona State University. What a great incentive to achieve higher education.