Christer Ehrling, thejuxtapod.com
This side profile shot is taken from thejuxtapod.com, which is where you can find more pictures, information, and even make this little pick-up your own.
The first thing is the shiny paint. Satin paint and even primer can look good, and lately, people have this sick fetish for patina (rust, scratches, fading), but nothing can hold a candle, in my mind, to a deep, glossy finish. I painted a truck with satin paint once, and from the moment it was dry, I hated it. It was bland, hard to clean, and looked unfinished. It was pearl gold, but the pearl couldn’t pop through the dull clear coat. The second thing I like is a full interior. It doesn’t need to be ultra-deluxe like a high-end living room, but it needs to be finished. Headliner, door panels, upholstered seats, carpeted, and the dash both full and operational. These things can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to happen all at once. As I plan a build around plain black vinyl on everything, along with a cheap black carpet backed by house carpet underpad for sound deadening, there are guys out there using materials that are too fancy for my house, let alone my car. Lebeef Kustom Metal Works in Sweden built Juxtapod almost ten years ago, and although I’ve always liked its look, the over-the-top details have only been brought to my attention recently.
I still consider carbon-fibre, magnesium, titanium, stainless, and even aluminum to be fairly exotic materials. I can handle steel and fibreglass, but that’s about the limit at this point in my life. Lebeef brought crystal into the equation on Juxtapod and blew convention right out of the water. A Ford Model A pick-up is a fairly common build, so to draw attention and stand out from the crowd, it takes some creativity. Chopped, channelled, panel painted, and chromed from one end to the other isn’t enough in some circles, and I guess that’s where the crystal idea came into play. Upfront, the grille is custom fabricated around eighteen crystal spikes. The engine is a chromed-out Chevy 348 with six Stromberg carburetors up top, and each one capped with a crystal velocity stack. Inside, white vinyl upholstery, angel hair carpet, and a crystal eyeball shift knob and steering wheel continue the theme. The roof insert is hinged forward and made of matching white vinyl with a crystal insert. The bed is a full-length Model A unit, both cool and uncommon, and it is the home to the most ornate gas tank on planet earth. A crystal cylinder is capped on both ends with chrome dome covers, and it’s all held together with chrome clamping rods. It is more art than automobile, but it is built in a fully functional fashion, though I can’t confirm it has ever truly been driven. It’s also for sale at the link above. How much? I have no idea, but given the amount of crazy work done, I know you’d never replicate it cheaper, regardless of the price.
Have a question or comment for Kelly? Post it at lmtimes.ca/kirk