Xception
The Street Rod-inspired Mini That's Dominating the Scene
Written by Jeremy Cook
Photos by Jeremy Cook
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After many years of building various mini and full-size trucks, Anthony "Ant" Ammendola wanted to build something that no one would ever forget. Five years, a small fortune, some good times, and a lot of headaches later, Anthony emerged with one of the sickest mini-trucks ever built.
The name says it all. Basically, Anthony's plan was to build something that was the exception to the rule of mini-truck building at the time. His idea was to take a typical mini-truck and build it like you would build a street rod. Of course, building some trucks in this fashion is easier than others. Having already owned one, he had a fondness for Isuzus. Now, the lines aren't too terrible on these trucks, but throw in the fact that Anthony wanted to use a Space Cab and you will understand why people started to look at him funny. However, with the support of his wife Cortney, daughter Gabriella, his dad, best friend Jeff Renner, and members of his club, Relaxed Atmosphere, the dream became a reality and really is an "Xception" to what most people are building.
The Texas chapter of Relaxed actually played a huge part in making the Isuzu what it is. First there was Mitch Henderson, who not only was the official consultant throughout the build, but also was the voice of reason when things started to fall apart from time to time. Cope Kessler also played a part by hooking up the killer audio work. Most importantly, Jim Bayne and the crew at Killer Ridez for the massive amount of work they did on the truck.
What was once a complete truck was reduced to a bare cab, doors and some sheet metal before construction began. Three by three box tubing was used to construct the bulk of the full custom frame. Rather than a step notch, the frame kicks up high for the length of the bed, and underneath is where the chromed 4-link hangs. Up front, a fully chromed and polished front end from Scott's Hot Rods was grafted on. The brake, fuel and air lines were all run through the frame before it was completely molded and painted the body color. The drop spindles and '88 S-10 rear end were smoothed and painted to match. Slam Specialties 'bags are at all four corners, as are SSBC 11-inch slotted rotors and chromed Toxic shocks. Viair 380 compressors, Xtreme valves, steel braided lines, and tanks mounted in the cab round out the air system. At the rear of the frame rests a polished 15-gallon fuel cell and two Optima batteries in polished hold-downs from Speedway Motors. No off-the-shelf wheel was going to be good enough for this truck, so USW Forged milled a special set of 20 x 9-inch Xceptions that were polished and accented with the body color. The tires are 245/35/20s from Goodyear.
Nothing says "street rod" like a detailed 350/350 combo right? Anthony thought the same thing when he hijacked the combo from a '77 Chevy and went to town. Anthony's friends Scott and Bobby McConnel punched out the block to accept a 400 crank. Hypereutectic flat top pistons were used and topped with cast iron 64cc heads from World Products. The 10:1 motor was crowned with an Edelbrock Performer water pump intake, carb and water pump, a chrome alternator, a complete MSD ignition, coated Hooker headers and Flowmasters, and a ton of accessories from Billet Specialties. The custom upper and lower radiator hoses and air cleaner/engine cover were hand-built by Killer Ridez. The trans was rebuilt using a shift kit, converter and Quiksilver shifter from B&M.
The endless mods to the cab began with a 3-inch body drop and a scratch-built smooth floor and firewall. The hood and front fenders are factory, but were shaved inside and out. The core support was hand-made to mold directly into the smooth inner fenders. The headlights and grille are from a '93 Rodeo, and the bumper is from a '94 Toyota 4 x 4 and was completely molded before the Trenz billet insert and Hi-Tech LED turn signals were installed. The cab was completely shaved and the lid was cut out for a 40 x 40-inch sliding ragtop from Street Beat. The doors received the suicide treatment and the handles were shaved. An LED third brakelight was molded in and the rear opening was set up for a power sliding rear glass. A complete tailgate combo skin was grafted on and Caddy lights were frenched into place. The bed floor was completely molded and smoothed and fit with an access door to reveal the rear suspension. Once the metal work was perfected, it was shot in a two-tone scheme using DuPont Metallic Jalapeno Green and Cool Vanilla. Next, wood grain trim was airbrushed into place as was the stainless trim that runs the perimeter of the truck. More woodgrain "planks" were sprayed on the bed door, and the door, along with the custom air cleaner, which was pinstriped by Scratch in green and cream.
The interior is one more place where this truck shines above the rest. The smooth dash, which flows into the equally smooth center console, was hand-built and painted to match the exterior. In the center of the dash is a five-gauge cluster from Dakota Digital. To the right of that (yes, the truck was even converted to right-hand drive!), is a chrome ididit steering column topped with a one-off steering wheel from B.A.D. that was milled to match the wheels and features a wood grain insert. In the console rests the billet insert with six AutoLoc power switches and the three Dakota Digital air gauges. The billet door handles and foot pedals are from Lokar, while the rearview mirror is from Billet Specialties. Craig Ward handled the stitch work, which included the Bentley carpet, and pecan ultra leather that covers the modified stock seats, custom door panels, lower dash, and console, and even the headliner insert that covers the sliding rag. Cope Kessler and the EPOC Design Group took over behind the seats and built the custom enclosure in the Space Cab that houses the Rockford Fosgate 10-inch sub, 400 and 1,000-watt amps and 6 1/2-inch components. Also in the enclosure are the two air tanks that have been molded together and sunk into the enclosure. Rounding out the audio system is another set of mids and highs in the doors and a Clarion head unit with a 7-inch flip out LCD screen.
It's rare that anyone from the street rod world ever gives the thumbs up to a mini-truck, but Anthony has received nothing but since completing his ride. He truly accomplished his goal of having a mini with just as much or even more quality, style and attention to detail than most high-end street rods. He's quick to thank the crew at Killer Ridez for all their efforts. Gene Reese, Neil Rimer, Cory Sanders, Brian Vastino, and Jim Bayne Sr., who all worked up to the minute before the photo shoot, which was the night before the truck officially debuted at Texas Heat Wave and took first in its class as well as Best Mini. We can tell you with confidence that that is only the beginning. |  Anthony and Cortney Ammendola's 1992 Isuzu Spacecab  The front fascia is comprised of a '93 Rodeo grille and headlights, a fully molded Toyota bumper, LED turn signals and billet inserts from Trenz.  Altered Images provided the rear skin combo, and the Caddy lights were grafted in at each end. The license plate reads Texas, the billet state above and below the Xception moniker.  Wheels custom-cut by USW Forged in 20 x 9 inches are now called the Xception. They're wrapped in 245/35/20 Goodyear rubber.  Inside the smooth as glass bed is some of the best airbrushed woodgrain work we've ever seen. Kudos to Cory Sanders of Killer Ridez for the awesome paintwork. The logo and outline stripes were handled by Scratch. | | | | | |  No, we didn't flip the photos. This Isuzu was converted to right-hand drive. Everything inside the cab was handmade and either paint-matched or wrapped in pecan ultra leather. |  The EPOC Design Group came up with this killer sub enclosure that features Rockford Fosgate amps, sub, components, and sunken air tanks. |  Check out the awesome airbrush work that was laid down on this truck. You could swear there was a bezel around that LED brakelight. | | |  |  | |  |  | | Show comments (0) - Add comments to this article: |
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