Hot Rod Henry and his 1930 Model A pickup

Built Ford-tough in Dearborn, Mich., Henry Ford’s Model A pickups need no introduction. Built a bit tougher in Jurupa Valley, Calif., Henry Escalera’s version deserves its own introduction. From here on out as we refer to Henry, we’re referring to hot rod fabricator Henry Escalera.

It’s been said that “the automotive apple don’t fall far from the tree.” Henry’s head start to hot rodding, and everything automotive in general, was largely in his upbringing. Henry’s father, John Escalera, was an auto body man by trade. Henry’s 1930 Model A pickup still reflects his father’s prowess, but this story goes deeper than that. This little truck is Henry’s very first set of wheels.

On a father-’n’-son outing more than 60 years ago, two rough-’n’-rusty Model A trucks (one pickup and one larger AA) were discovered and pretty easily obtained. Henry was only 11 years old at the time. It took a few years for those two trucks to become one that young Henry could actually drive, but under his father’s watchful eye, he managed to succeed. In fact, by the time he’d turned 17, he’d bravely made the round-trip trek to Indianapolis Motor Speedway in his homebuilt hot rod truck.

As Henry’s skill set evolved, so did his truck, as refinements came in like waves. Making a twitchy Model A frame safe and sturdy took some doing back in the ’60s. It was toward the middle of that decade when Henry’s project commenced.

With some degree of guidance from experienced builders in the Riverside area, Henry learned his lessons well, and the natural fabricator began boxing similar frames for friends and customers. This truck’s boxed-’n’-beefed frame (Henry’s first) now features up-to-date independent front suspension from Total Cost Involved. Its independent rear suspension began the old-fashioned way, with good used parts from a ’74 Jaguar.

Although replacements have come and gone, this truck has been Chevrolet-powered for as long as it’s been a hot rod. The current mill is a 350-hp, 350-cid LT1 with machine work by Wayne’s Engine Rebuilding. Engine assembly was handled by Henry. Dressed up in finned aluminum and topped with a Carter AFB, it’s still backed by the same aluminum Powerglide transmission that Henry rebuilt for his truck so many years ago.

The first time around, original mechanical brakes were abandoned in favor of 1940-’48 Ford “juice” brakes. Since that time, however, there have been further upgrades. Henry’s current brake system is the four-wheel-disc-type; Wilwood up front and Jaguar out back. Toward the middle on the left, a Total Cost Involved pedal assembly calls the shots through a Hydroboosted dual master cylinder and proportioning valve from a wrecked Chevrolet.

Near Henry’s hometown of Jurupa Valley, there’s no scarcity of muffler shops. Henry has friends in the business, but as an all-around hot rod fabricator, he does his own exhaust. Today, block-huggin’ headers are pretty darned affordable. Before we had that easy option, Henry built several sets of his own. From Henry’s headers, 2-inch “twice pipes” with free-flowing ‘50s Hemi-type mufflers expel the smell through belled tips, just beyond the sparkly Jaguar differential.

It’s been said that “tradition never goes out of style.” Outwardly, Henry’s truck makes a good example, as the old truck that’s been a hot rod since the ’60s is resplendent in a timeless ’60s fashion.

With restorative bodywork by Henry and his father, one modification comes by surprise. When this hood is lifted, eyes tend to gravitate toward the firewall, which is tastefully relieved to accommodate the V-8.

Since this truck has been driven so much for so long, you’d expect that it’s been refinished more than once. In earlier years, the red-’n’-gray metallic paint job was likely Ditzler. Today, it’s PPG from Color by Woz.

With the twist of a door handle, we get another surprise that we don’t so much notice with its dark windows up. Interior trim is by The Upholsterers, and it appears a bit (maybe two bits) more contemporary. This time stitched in leather in matching red-’n’-gray, seating feels good for a Model A truck.

By now, through the open door, you may be able to identify some up-to-date components. The shifter is Gennie, and the column is IDIDIT capped with a 14-inch Lecarra wheel. If you’ve ever grabbed ahold of a stock Model A steering wheel, you know those were larger. With power-assistance, Henry has all the steering leverage he’ll ever need.

With rolling stock completing the exterior picture, it’s back to the ’60s, again. Wrapped in big-’n’-little Goodyear rubber, American Torq Thrusts fit the period, and those wheels have worn out a tall stack of tires, by the way.

Always making good use of good used parts, Henry has been a regular customer-friend of Bauman’s Auto Wrecking. As he’s recently told me, my grandfather once offered to hire him. Henry respectfully declined. He wasn’t a dismantler. He’s always been a builder, and his Model A truck continues to prove it.

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