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Custom 1956 Ford pickup influenced by Shelby GT500 to be sold at Barrett-Jackson

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  1. rshelby

    rshelby ShelbyForums Admin Staff Member

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    Custom 1956 Ford F-100 to be Sold at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale to Raise Funding for New Children’s Hospital of Saskatchewan​

    1956-Ford-F-100.jpg
    • Snakebit, a custom 1956 Ford F-100, will be sold at no reserve at Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale to raise funds for the new children’s hospital in Saskatchewan, Canada

    • Wheels of Dreams Project is supported by KISS bassist and new Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Gene Simmons; his Canadian-born wife and actress Shannon Tweed-Simmons; and local businesses including the local Ford dealer association

    • The 550 HP truck is a blend of a and a contemporary Ford Shelby GT500

    SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., January 13, 2014 – A custom 1956 Ford F-100 will be sold at the Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, Ariz. on Jan. 17 to raise funds for the new Children’s Hospital of Saskatchewan in Canada. The Wheels of Dreams Project – created to develop the truck – is a unique collaboration involving KISS bassist and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Gene Simmons, his wife and actress Shannon Tweed-Simmons, along with area businesses including the local Saskatchewan Ford dealer association.

    What began as a team building exercise for Industrial Machine & Manufacturing in Saskatoon, Canada, has become an international symbol for helping children. The sale of this one-off truck will aid in the development of a new hospital dedicated to healing them.

    “We’re honored to play a role in this unique project,” said Vaughn Wyant, co-chair of Wheels of Dreams and president and CEO of Vaughn Wyant Automotive Group. “The new children’s hospital will fill a critical healthcare void in our community, and our Ford Dealer Association is working hand-in-hand with other local businesses and the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan to make it a reality. It’s gratifying to see this grassroots movement take on an international focus.”

    “Snakebit,” as the truck is known, is a blend of street rod styling with influences from the iconic Ford Shelby GT500. It boasts a supercharged 5.4-liter V8 breathing through a high-performance exhaust system. A six-speed manual gearbox feeds the estimated 550 horsepower to the 20-inch rear wheels.

    The wheelbase was extended five inches, while the box was widened and dressed with a billet machined floor to simulate wood-grain. It is topped with a custom tonneau cover while the headlights and sequential taillights are custom-built. The handmade panels and two-tone leather in the interior are eye-catching and the knobs on the leather-wrapped dash are custom-made, as are the armrests. Furthermore, the leather bench seat is designed playing homage to the Shelby GT500.

    The project inspired Simmons and Saskatoon-native, Tweed-Simmons, as well as Saskatchewan’s Ford Dealer Association to join the effort. Saskatchewan is one of only two provinces in Canada without a dedicated children’s hospital. Though the fundraising campaign to build the hospital started several years ago, the group collectively wanted to do their part to achieve the 2016 construction completion goal.

    “Saskatchewan’s Ford Dealer Association eagerly provided funding for this very specialized build,” said Dianne C. Craig, president and CEO, Ford of Canada. “We’re grateful for their commitment to make a meaningful difference in our community.”

    For auction information, visit the Barrett-Jackson website or Facebook.

    About the Wheels of Dreams Project
    Championed by the KISS bassist and new Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Gene Simmons; his wife and actress Shannon Tweed-Simmons; and local businesses including the Saskatchewan Ford Dealer Association, the Wheels of Dreams Project is on a mission to raise funding for the development of the future Children’s Hospital of Saskatchewan in Canada. A custom built 1956 Ford F-100 with Shelby Mustang influences will be sold at no reserve at the Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, Ariz. on Jan. 17, 2014. All proceeds will benefit the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan. For information, please visit wheelsofdreams.ca.

    About Ford Motor Company
    Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 175,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.
     

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