This is one way you can stand out from the rest.
You’ll find a variety of Big Three cars from the 1960s and 1950s at a small-town car show on Friday nights in Michigan. As the Baby Boomers age, few cars stand out, if any. Steve Francis decided that blending in was not an option. This started a 20 year journey to transform a 1989 Isuzu pickup into something unique. Francis purchased the truck with its four-cylinder engine to use as a weekend car. He eventually modified it and gave it its street-rod look.
The modified truck is very different from its humble beginnings. The Trucktopus’ unique design is due to its three-inch body drop and suicide doors. A 1978 Chevy truck’s V8 engine and transmission are under the hood. The truck retains its sleek appearance thanks to side mirrors that were originally made by a motorcycle.
Because the truck measures 21 feet long, there is plenty of space for accessories. Two flat-screen TVs of 32 inches are housed in the elongated bed that sits on top of three axles and six tires. They are hidden behind two tonneau covers. The minimalist interior continues with large speakers dotted around the rear cabin and between the occupants.
The truck’s internal workings are not covered in the video. Francis doesn’t talk much about modifications to the pickup, or horsepower and torque. The airbag suspension makes the truck comfortable to ride, according to Francis.
It won’t please everyone, and it’s not meant to. Francis’ hard work seems to have paid off. Francis has won many awards for his truck, which has seen many changes over the years. He gives it a thumbs-up, waves and stares when he drives it. This makes him stand out from the rest of the crowd.