1971 Ford F-100 | EL DIABLO

Fred Bishop’s tale of this gorgeous 1971 Ford F-100 build (now affectionately known as El Diablo) begins seven years back or so. Fred’s Uncle Dave gave him a rough “fishing truck” that had been sitting for many years. Dave had purchased the truck brand new off the lot in ’71, so he didn’t just want to see it rot out in his field. Knowing that Fred would bring her back to life properly, the plans began like many of ours do. A modest restore and driver refresh was all that was on the table for this ol’ Bump, in the beginning.

Fred dug out the truck from where she sat rotting away and got it over to his buddy’s shop, Big Willie’s Garage, for some simple drivability updates. The original plan began with some budget-minded Crown Vic suspension and drivetrain modifications just to see it back on the road again in a timely manner. Well, as it usually goes, about halfway through this round of updates, Fred visited Willie Davis and the two got to talking, brainstorming and the snowball effect may or may not have turned into a massive avalanche (you can be the judge of that by looking at all these killer shots!).

One thing led to another, and Fred and Willie’s vision for this F-100 “El Diablo” came into focus.

After a few bumps and bruises that go along with a full custom build process from the ground up, the two came together with a ton of determination and perseverance (and of course another three years and countless amounts of hours and dollars later) to create something special. Big Willie and Fred re-imagined a laid out, Coyote-powered supercharged beast of a hot rod with a class and elegance unmatched. Willie had a huge impact on the renewed vision and put in many late nights designing and building an air-ride chassis, subtle but smoothed body, and drivetrain that would meet Fred’s ultimate goals and make this the baddest Bump the world has seen. “Dipped in Red” was sort of the on-going theme as the build progressed, where literally everything was red (with some silver accents throughout).

One of the most unique aspects of this F-100 build is probably the fully functional one-piece front end.

Willie built in the fenders, inner fenders, core support and custom heat extractors to allow a wickedly clean look on the outside, but also functions and can be removed as one piece if there is ever major engine or trans work needed. With as much meticulous detail as the chassis and body had received over the span of the few year’s build time, the paint had to truly land that knockout punch.

So, the crew teamed up with Charlie Cutts who finished smoothing everything out and mixed the custom PPG color “Diablo Red” to really bring this entire F-100 build to life. Literally everything from top to bottom is covered. Moving on, the final piece of the puzzle bringing the entire package together is none other than entrusting Tracy Weaver and his crew at Recovery Room Interiors to do what they do best.

With as much meticulous detail as the chassis and body had received over the span of the few year’s build time, the paint had to truly land that knockout punch.  

Recovery Room designed a completely custom interior and stereo treatment from the ground up for this Bump. Absolutely jaw-dropping work all wrapped in color-matched Italian leather bringing Fred’s dream of making his Uncle Dave’s “Fishing Truck” truly a force to be reckoned with full circle. A build of this caliber is quite a feat and would not be possible without dedication and talents from many. From Fred and his family: “We would like to thank Warren Walcher, Kole Kochevar, Joe Nieman, Mike Blackwelder, Tracy Weaver, Charlie Cutts, Michelle Bishop, Uncle Dave, Amy Davis, Willie Davis, and everyone else who helped overcome any challenges that stood in the way and helping to see this one through to the end. We’re sure glad you did!”

TRUCK SPECS

 OWNER

Fred Bishop
1971 Ford F-100
Grand Junction, CO

PAINT/BODY

• Paint and body by Charlie Cutts
• PPG Custom Mix “Diablo Red”
• Custom body mods by Wille Davis
• Front end narrowed 2 inches
• Custom steel grille
• Custom front bumper narrowed and tucked
• One-piece front end including fenders, inner fenders and core support w/ heat extractors
• All body seams fully welded
• Custom side-exit exhaust
• Custom bed with hinged floor on actuators
• Custom rear bumper narrowed and tucked
• Octane LED headlights
• United Pacific LED taillights
• Custom billet side trim by Mike Blackwelder

WHEELS/TIRES

• 22×9 and 24×15 Intro Vistas
• Pirelli Pzero 265/30/22 and 405/25/24

ENGINE/DRIVETRAIN

• 2018 Coyote 5.0 w/ 6r80e
• Whipple Supercharger
• Ford Performance controls pack
• 2.5-inch Magnaflow custom exhaust

CHASSIS/SUSPENSION

• Modified factory frame, fully boxed with custom tubular crossmembers
• Heidts airride mustang II IFS
• Custom back-half and four-link
• Air Lift Performance 3H management
• Wilwood disc brakes front and rear
• Currie 9-inch
• Boyd Welding custom fuel cell

INTERIOR/STEREO

• Ididit steering column
• Billet Specialties steering wheel
• Dakota Digital gauges
• Custom made seat and frame with custom cut foam to resemble the early ’60s Ford Galaxy to tie in the vintage feel
• Perf material also custom and done in house at Recovery Room by laser and the custom grilles in each seat also resemble those reminiscent of the Galaxy
• Custom wool cloth headliner
• Aluminum and plastic door panels custom cut and designed by Recovery Room
• Focal Speakers with custom surrounds and grilles, Blam shallow mount subs and Rockford Bluetooth amp/radio
• Ford Mustang handles
• Custom console houses Vintage Air and stereo controls, a Lokar shifter and custom Air Lift 3H mounted controller
• Fully smoothed floor with German square weave carpet
• Italian color matched leather throughout with silver metal accents
• Complete custom interior by Recovery Room Interiors