Phil Migliore Jr's 1928 Ford Roadster Pickup - Hot Rod Road...Ster

Recently a lad by the name of Phil Migliore Jr. completed his trip down hot rod lane, ending his journey behind the wheel of one of the coolest roadster pickups I've had the pleasure of drooling over in a long time. Phil started his project with a rolling chassis purchased off of eBay-an original Model A kicked up 3 to 4 inches with a built A 'banger. It was fitted with '40 juice brakes and a quartet of red Kelsey bent spokes. Phil's plan was to drop an rpu cab and bed on the chassis and end up with a cool traditional hot rod, maybe in primer, or perhaps with an old-school lacquer job-not a rat, but not a "finished" truck either.

It didn't take long before Phil made his first detour of the trip-from the A frame he started with to a Deuce version acquired from a family friend. Next, he picked up a Hallock-style windshield frame that made itself right at home on the rpu's cowl. Stepping back and eyeballing the body on the Deuce frame with the Hallock in place and the stance just right, that little A 'banger looked a bit anemic with its Winfield accessories, so Phil hung a hard left and headed straight toward an overhead conversion on a B block. Hey, if you're gonna do it, you might as well do it right.

So, off went the A motor to pay for the B-well, the A motor and a hefty chunk of Phil's savings account, that is. Phil outfitted the B with Schwalm's Babbitted bearings, a counter-balanced B crank, Crower rods, Ross pistons, and a Cragar cam. A Cragar OHV conversion, roller-tip rockers, a modified Miller water pump, a lightened flywheel, and full-pressure oiling for one hot little 'banger. He then backed it with a V-8 trans and a Deuce rearend for a truly traditional drivetrain.

The Brookville sheetmetal was massaged and treated to a glass-smooth coating of Ralph Estrada-applied House of Kolor pitch black, a Deuce grille shell, and a combination of Arrow and '37 Ford head- and taillights. A Deuce-style dash fitted with some Stewart Warner gauges, a '40 column and wheel, and a dose of red leather stitchwork by Shawn Appleman ended up as the perfect finishing touches for Phil's pickup, as you can see.

Phil's pickup is a premium example of just how convoluted the road to a finished project can be-and though we all seem to end up in the right place by the end of the trip, getting from point A to point B isn't always a straight line. So, just buckle up and follow this young man's lead and you'll be pleased with where the road takes you-don't forget to enjoy the ride.

Facts & Figures
Phil Migliore Jr.
Montgomery, New York
1928 Ford roadster pickup