Pyrometer

The roof, the roof, the roof is on fire. Popular music lyrics that nearly apply to Michael Sessum Jr.'s '97 F-150 set ablaze with beautiful, traditional hot licks. Whereas the roof was not set on fire, the bumper, hood, and fenders did receive some burning paint treatment. Going for the old-school hot-rod look, the white-to-yellow-to-orange-to-red fade easily separates this Ford from other Blue Ovals at any competition.

Built in memory of his father, Michael Sr., the F-150 quickly went from utility-oriented hauler to a trophy-winning machine. Built in two years, Michael saw the truck transform right in front of his eyes, with most of the work performed by Wicked Kustoms in La Vergne, Tennessee. Delivered to Josh at Wicked, the truck was to be lowered a little. Two sets of 2,600-pound Firestone airbags later, the truck's frame was resting comfortably on the Tennessee tar. Flipping the front ball joints and using a Pete & Jake's four-link in the rear with custom tubing, the suspension was set up right the first time. Jammed up inside each fender are a quartet of 22x9-1/2-inch Rozzi Vixen wheels, wrapped by 285/30R22 Dunlop rubber. Because of the extreme drop, a smaller-diameter driveshaft was installed to give Michael the clearance needed for maximum layability.

After nailing down the stance, Josh at Wicked bolted on a billet grille, '02 Lightning headlights and taillights, a Colonel's bedcover, and a Sir Michael's roll pan. Harris Pinstriping, of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, applied the PPG Midnight Metallic Blue basecoat and masterfully masked off the flames. Using House of Kolor Kandys and Pearls, the flames seem to catch fire right before your eyes.

Inside the F-150, Expedition seats wrapped in black suede and gray vinyl supply the seating comfort, and several dash pieces were painted PPG Midnight Metallic Blue. Wicked Kustoms also went crazy with the audio inside Michael's truck. Four 12-inch Memphis Audio subwoofers housed in a custom rear sub box provide ample thump for show cruisin'. A Sony head unit sends signals to the Memphis amps that drive the Memphis mids and highs placed in the doors. Under the flamed hood lies a 4.6L V-8 with an AIRAID intake and the best stock components Ford has to offer. Michael's license plate reads, NEEDH20; however, the flamed F-150 is nowhere near being extinguished but ratheris en fuego.