Owning a custom hot rod is all about driving something unique, and so this 1925 Franklin Roadster pickup already is distinct just by its name. And since it's really a more modern steel-body build with only about 1k miles on it, there is a cool and clean style that's worthy of the added attention it draws.
The Franklin name holds an interesting place in our automotive history where the New York automaker had a touch of European style in the way the front end smoothly integrated into the .....
cowl. And while those bodies are hard to find today, the people at Last Refuge Hot Rod also recreated the bodies in steel for a handful of lucky customers. The whole build is about a decade old, but with only 1k miles on it since completion, you can tell this one has spent its time being properly preserved. And we can see why this would be treated as something special. It's not only the design that's nice, but also the fit and finish. You see it in thoughtful details, like the way the wood on the bed walls is tapered so that it contours to the curve of the cab. And the bright green and white pinstripe not only looks distinct against the classic dark green paint, but it also nicely coordinates with the wheels and whitewalls. As cool as this pickup is to look at, they also made sure you'll also happily add plenty more miles to the low odometer.
Roadsters are meant to be open to the world, and so a harmonizing green is on the inside. It gives you the right classic pickup vibe with robust features like a vinyl bench seat, a rubber floor cover, and a large dual-spoke steering wheel. But it's also not hard to see this was made to be a custom cruiser. The pinstriping on the dash, tall Lokar shifter, and machine-turned dash panel are pure hot rod fun. Plus, the crisp SW gauges and column-mounted Moon tach are quite handy for real driving.
Franklin had some interesting engines back in the day, and so it's great to see they got creative with the powerhouse. The base is a robust GM Quad4 motor, but you may not see that at first. The dual distributors, offset triple carbs (two are display), and straight header are quite distinct. And the polished head on this motor makes this one look like it came from a classic Jaguar. But because there's a hardy base below the exotic style, you have a true cruiser. There's even an automatic transmission, Super Bell dropped I-Beam front end, front disc brakes, and a four-link rear with adjustable coilovers.
The sale comes complete with build receipts. If you want a distinct head-turner that also is a solid driver, don't miss this Franklin. Call today!!!