If a friend told you they were starting a build project on an old Chevrolet pickup, you might assume they would do the body work, paint it, reupholster the interior and maybe freshen up the powertrain with a new engine and transmission. But not Troy Gubser, the owner of this 1947 rat rod-style Chevy pickup which at a first glance, would look more at home in the junkyard then towing a trailer down the Interstate.
Don’t be fooled by the truck’s ratty outward appearance though, because underneath the ugly, aging body work sits an extremely capable, somewhat modern pickup truck. Gubser says the truck is powered by a Ford Powerstroke diesel engine with the boost turned up to 42 psi, which belches black smoke out of a pair of 8-inch exhaust stacks in the back. The engine made 505-horsepower and 885 lb-ft of torque on the dyno, all of which is sent to the rear wheels through a ZF five-speed manual transmission with a ceramic clutch and short throw shifter.
The upside to Troy’s creation is unlike many of the other contestants at weekend drag racing events, Gubser can drive the truck there while towing his trailer, park the trailer, drag race the truck and then drive it all back home again. He might not be the fastest truck out on the strip, but there is no denying rowing through the gears in this old rat rod looks like a tonne of fun. Check out the video below to see the pickup in action. It has some questionable language, so if you’re at work, you might want to bookmark this one for later.
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How you like them apples Prius drivers?