Every so often, a build comes along that’s too cool not to revisit. This 1951 Ford COE by UK custom builder Steve Taylor is one of those rigs — a proper blast from the past that deserves the spotlight all over again.
Steve’s been in the custom game for years, turning out head-turning rides before opening his own shop as a premier builder. But one dream always sat in the back of his mind: a tow rig like no other. When he stumbled across this COE, the vision hit hard — slam it to the ground, give it character, and make it unforgettable.
Photos by Tony & Carman Matthews
“When I bought the Ford, a fair bit had already been done, but it was missing detail – it lacked soul,” Steve says. “Most COEs I’ve seen are haulers in the States, but I wanted to do something different. That’s where the Texaco wrecker theme came in. Down the line I may set it up as a proper shop hauler, but right now, I’m pretty happy with where she’s at.”
And where she’s at is pure attitude. The Ford now sits on a 1996 Chevy Silverado chassis with a 2005 Chevy 1500 rearend. Purists might wish he’d stayed with Ford underpinnings, but Steve kept the crown jewel — the original 239 Flathead, freshly rebuilt and warmed up, paired with a T5 5-speed TVR trans.
Custom touches are everywhere: power steering, an ididit column, Wilwood disc brakes, VIAIR compressor and gauges feeding Firestone heavy-duty bags, a one-off No Limit Engineering front clip, and matching rear trailing arms. The setup transforms this old COE into a cruiser that drives as good as it looks.
For stance, Steve nailed it with 20-inch Torque Thrusts finished in crème, capped with Corvette-style spinners that nod back to hot rod heritage. Twin stainless 10-gallon tanks keep the fuel flowing, with the rig returning a surprising 17–19 MPG on the highway — a blessing when petrol in the UK runs around $9 a gallon.
This COE isn’t just a truck. It’s rolling nostalgia, slammed with style, dripping with character, and proof that a vision from the past can still turn heads today. A true blast from the past — and still one of the coolest rigs we’ve ever featured.
