Lou Guzzo’s 1967 F-100 Tribute Project

Lou Guzzo’s Life-Changing F-100 Project

IF Lou Guzzo’s name doesn’t ring a bell, then maybe you have heard about the inspirational story behind the build of his 1967 F-100. Ford truck fanatics unfamiliar with both should at least recognize his ride. Lou is based in northern California but drives his truck from coast to coast, (and everywhere else in between) on a somewhat regular basis, so there’s a good chance you’ve seen this F-100 in person at a show already. Lou’s truck is clean and reliable but it’s his resilient nature and positive outlook on life that really makes the largest impact on those he meets, whether in the flesh or through social media.

Lou has racked up 76,000 miles (and counting) across roads throughout America and has no plans of stopping any time soon.
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“It’s funny how a project ends up finding you,” Lou says about the seven years he has spent with his ’67 so far. “I didn’t realize its significance until I finished building it.”

He picked the truck up in 2017 after seeing all the fun folks were having with their Fords in the F-Series Builders Guide. Lou has owned several classic Ford trucks in the past, and in 2017, figured it was a good time to get back in the saddle with yet another one. Little did he know, life would soon take a turn for the worse.

“At the beginning of 2018, my wife Deborah was diagnosed with cancer,” Lou reports sadly. “I shelved my F-100 project while I took care of her. By the end of the year, I lost her to that dreaded disease. I was crushed. We had been together for 30 years and had two daughters.”

Lou took that monumental blow in stride by taking time to mourn for the remainder of the year and starting off 2019 with refreshed inspiration. Springtime proved to be the right time to continue his F-100 that he dedicated and named Deborah in his wife’s honor.

“I decided to pick up where I left off on the project by going beyond what I initially planned for the truck,” Lou says. “I first placed an order for a Roadster Shop chassis and a Ford Performance Coyote engine and transmission package. Once I received the parts, I laid the chassis out in the garage and started assembling it while modifying the frame to accommodate the air-ride system hose and wire harness.”

Lou remained busy plumbing the Goodyear air bags and Accuair air management system, as well as buttoning up the installation of the rest of the additional chassis components. Full braking packages from Baer were soon assembled to give Lou the dependability of performance stopping power. A set of Detroit Steel D-Town wheels and Toyo Proxes Sport tires lend to the Ford’s classic, clean appearance combined with excellent traction and on-road handling. And before you ask how Lou was capable of successfully pulling off a job as involved as completing the entire frame rehab on his own, just know that he is a GM-trained dealership mechanic and retired chief mechanical officer for the city of San Francisco. It’s through this experience that he was also able to make quick work of installing the 5.0L Coyote engine, Ford transmission, and all accompanying systems and components.

While Lou is highly competent in mechanical aspects of vehicle repair and restoration, paint and bodywork is a whole other beast to get under control.

“Once I was done with the suspension work, I called up a buddy to help with the cab and bed,” Lou admits. “With minor modifications to the cab, we proceeded to raise the bed floor to fit the modified frame. I also decided to add a hidden compartment under the rear floor section for storing things like my luggage.”

After the list of body modifications was completed, Tommi Bryne stepped in to spray single stage PPG Pebble Sand paint that Lou soon embellished with a faux patina treatment.

Since this truck was being built for the sole purpose of hitting the highway, Lou made sure the cabin space was adequately decorated with fashionable and comfortable amenities. The TMI distressed leather bench seat and dash pad, matching Forever Sharp steering wheel, and freshly painted interior make for a well-appointed control center. Dakota Digital gauges blend perfectly into the ’67’s period-correct aesthetic, and a Vintage Air climate system was added to deliver favorable year-round temperature conditions within the cab.

“I had always intended to take this truck on road trips across the country,” Lou explains. “After two years of building the project during COVID, I was ready for my first journey by the spring of 2021. I drove it to Pigeon Forge for the F-100 Nationals, and the adventure was fantastic! I was immediately hooked on driving to shows.”

While there have been many more trips following Lou’s maiden voyage in his F-100, he always makes sure to slow down to reflect on what his truck truly represents.

“I dedicated this build to my wife, first and foremost,” Lou says lovingly. “I had a special California license plate made to memorialize her. The truck is a 1967—the same year Deborah was born. I incorporated ‘6T7’ into the first part of the plate, and her initials ‘DLG’ into the second part. She has been my guardian angel throughout all my road trips across the United States.”

Since completing the project, Lou has racked up 76,000 miles (and counting) across roads throughout America and has no plans of stopping any time soon. He also reports that the best part of the experience is having the opportunity to become closer to members of the custom truck community—some who have since become good friends.

“It’s not always about the destination—it’s all about the journey,” Lou continues. “Nothing tops the people you meet and the sights you see along the way.”