Mike Musto is the car guy’s car guy. He’s run Bullrun, campaigned a vintage Dodge Charger called “Mr. Angry” in One Lap of America and has forgotten more about the pro-touring scene than you or I will ever learn. Now he’s got his own weekly series on YouTube’s Drive channel called “Big Muscle,” and if the first episode is any indication, it will be worth tuning into.
What do you get when you cross a 1949 Ford F5 dump truck with a 1997 Ford F350 diesel and a 1935 Miller Indy Car? We’re not sure, either, but the end result is the one-of-a-kind rod seen here, built by Max Allread. If it’s performance you want, Allread’s truck won’t disappoint – it’s packing 400 horsepower and 700 pound-feet of torque under its hood.
That’s impressive, but the detail on the build is even more amazing. Those stencils on the doors? Original to the truck, which was last registered in 1985. Those aircraft-style seats? Allread built them himself. The front suspension? Inspired by a vintage Indy car.
Now matter how well built, most rods don’t capture your attention for long, but Allread’s seems to cross generations and demographics. From any angle, there’s always something to look at, and it’s impossible to view the truck without wanting to jump in and go for a ride. We’re not even into the hot rod scene, but we’d love a chance to spend a day with Allread’s Dr. Frankenstein creation. It’s a sculpture that even we can appreciate.
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
