Keeping It Trashy and a Bit Classy

Most people who take a look at this ’47 Ford F1 would probably call it “awesome,” “cool” or maybe even “rad,” but even after taking those compliments into account, this truck is still a bit of an oddball. Now, that’s not a sentiment of disrespect, and Dave Couch of White Trash Customs would probably be the first to agree with us. “I would call us guys here at White Trash Customs attention seekers when it comes to the vehicles we build,” Dave admits.

Now even though this kind of custom work is something Dave would like to see come through his garage a lot more often, his shop’s bread-and-butter remains collision repair. They see everything from insurance repair jobs on regular cars and pickups to larger semi truck and RV gigs. With this work lined up and coming in at a steady pace, Dave wanted the build of his F1 to serve as a example of what his crew is capable of aside from restoring bashed vehicles to pre-accident condition. There’s a difference between repair work and truly custom fabrication, and Dave was eager to draw a definite line in between the two.

With a name like White Trash Customs, you’d expect nothing less than truck builds that are a tad rough around the edges. To get the classic ’47 rolling again, Dave and the guys looked to another truck, something a little smaller and newer, to help get the job done. The F1 body received a helping hand from a ’91 Chevy S-10. Actually, the F1 received a donor chassis and running gears from the ‘ol Dime, which is a modern day classic in its own right. Together, the two trucks from opposing generations were fused into a beast that today’s truck junkies are swooning over.

The Ford did take on a ratty style with a patina paint finish and a dark, twisted demeanor. Black and burgundy set an underlying sinister tone to the build, and custom one-off detailing cues from the spiked front bumper, suicide doors and exterior aluminum accent pieces give the F1 a truly menacing appearance. Dave and company crafted a wood floor for the bed, and the interior features an aluminum sheet headliner, dolphin hide upholstery (sorry, Flipper) and custom door panels with etched pinstriping, but even with all of those premium upgrades, they stuck with dirty old carpet. The truck had to look nice, but not too nice. The collection of parts that have formed the White Trash Customs F1 are eclectic, but without the quirky spin on the build, it just wouldn’t be what the guys wanted.

“Clean yet mean” are three words that could easily sum up this Ford’s fate. It maintains timeless styling while representing a junkyard guard dog kind of vibe. All facets of White Trash Customs’ expertise are showcased in a single vehicle, and that’s what the guys really wanted to accomplish. The Ford has killer paint and bodywork, a custom-fabricated suspension system, full interior and enough style points to throw any car show judge into a frenzy. Seems to us that their mission has been well executed down to the tiniest details.

Dave is often questioned about selling the truck since its completion. It’s been out to shows and has received a good deal of attention, but for now, it’s a piece of advertising that he’s intent on holding onto. “This truck will remain a White Trash Customs company truck for many years to come. My little girl Cora loves it too much for me to let it go anyway,” Dave told us. With the truck off the table for any offers or trades, serious collectors can search elsewhere for a new addition to their stable, but for those looking to take their build to another level, and just happen to live in the general vicinity of Fredericktown, Missouri, Dave and the White Trash Customs staff will be more than happy to help get your truck just as low and looking just as mean as their now famous shop truck. ST

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TRUCK SPECS

OWNER

Dave Couch
1947 Ford F1
Fredericktown, MO
White Trash Customs

ENGINE

• Shop: White Trash Customs
• 1991 Chevy S-10 4.7L
• Stock air intake
• 1991 Chevy S-10 auto transmission

SUSPENSION

• Shops: White Trash Customs
• Ride Tech ’bags front and back
• 2-link rear setup
• S-10 gas tank
• 4-inch body drop

WHEELS/TIRES

• 18-inch front Chrysler Pacifica spare wheels and 20-inch rear Dodge Ram spare wheels
• Firestone front, rear 245/45R20 Goodyear

BODY AND PAINT

• Shop: White Trash Customs/Danny Jenkins and Rob Rios
• Dodge Red and GM Black paint
• White Trash Customs logo sanded
• Patina treatment
• Custom wood bed floor
• Suicide driver’s side door
• 3-inch chop top
• Custom front bumper

INTERIOR

• Shops: White Trash Customs/Kyle Moyers
• Dolphin hide-covered bench seat
• Aluminum headliner
• Custom painted dash
• Retro Grant steering wheel
• Custom door panels with etched pinstripes
  

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