Lighten-up Guys:
Even though I'm a diehard TF (55-59) truck owner, I certainly can admire the
AD series trucks and even more so that a manufacturer sees enough potential
to start marketing a classic with a modern drivetrain.
As much as we'd like to believe no one can build (or rebuild) vintage iron
like we can, I find it refreshing that someone is going to try and market an
emissions and safety legal 'new' vehicle with an 'old' look. Maybe Southern
Motor Company will have better luck than the giant Chevrolet Motor
Corporation flimsy and ultimately embarrasing SSR!!
The Southern 408, like the Chevy SSR once again goes to show that if you
have the coin, you can ride in style (while in our case, we keep plugging
away with our old but BELOVED pickup trucks)!!!
Just one person's view.
Here's an excerpt from Southern's website regarding the Ford power in a
"Chevy" chassis:
In search of a similar turnkey-proven package for emissions certification,
Southern will employ the Ford small-block V8 that will be used in an
upcoming Ford Mustang. That engine will be 330 horsepower, rather than the
300 hp of today's 4.6-liter V8, so an increase in displacement to 5.4 liters
seems likely, though Kaplan can't confirm that since Ford hasn't announced
the Mustang's new engine.
Using this engine provides an emissions-certified drivetrain, and includes
the complete wiring harness, which simplifies installation. The engine can
be easily serviced by any Ford dealer because it will be unmodified. The
500-horsepower Mustang Cobra V8 will be available optionally for another
$12,000, for those customers who can't live with 330 hp. Both a four-speed
automatic and five-speed manual transmission will be available.
Carl Ham
'56 Chevy Stepside Pickup
Hopewell, IL
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