Aaron Brown spent 20-years building race cars for NASCAR before opening The Garage Shop in Catawba, North Carolina. Brown got hooked on land speed records because there’s no second place. You either break a record or lose.
Brown wanted to honor the pioneers of speed who built these hot rods in their garages using whatever parts they could find. Wanted to keep that tradition alive, he went with the 1939 Ford truck.
As a NASCAR fabricator, the trucks chassis is based around a Sprint Cup car. Components such as the rear end housing, the rear suspension components, tires, wheels, Inconel exhaust, driveshaft, jack bolts, axles, and gauge-panel oil tanks are all used race pieces sourced from Roush Yates Performance Products. The engine is even a old used Ford race engine with Yates-style cylinder heads. On the chassis dyno, it put 715 hp to the rear wheels.
The front suspension is Brown’s own creation; it looks like a traditional spring-over hot rod setup at first glance, but then you notice the cantilevered shocks and pass-throughs in the radius arms for the steering linkage.
Brown and his crew cut 6-inches out of the truck’s width, 5-inches off the top, and 21-inches out of the length. He went with a smaller 1932 grille shell to create a more aerodynamic profile. He believes the bed came from a 1940 Ford.
The truck is named ‘The Uncatchable’ after one of the great moonshine runners in American history, Willie Clay Call.
The 1939 Ford truck has broken (30) land speed records including 197 MPH at the East Coast Timing Association’s Ohio Mile event.
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About The Author
Growing up, my father always believed that every family needed a truck—there’s just something about having a vehicle capable of hauling anything at a moment’s notice. That philosophy stuck with me, and it’s been the foundation of my lifelong passion for Ford trucks.
While I’m best known for my work with Ford Rangers, I’ve owned a wide variety of Ford trucks over the years—including F-150s, F-250s, F-350s, and even larger rigs like the Ford Excursion, Ford Expedition, and a 1982 Ford Econoline Sportsmobile camper van. I’ve used these vehicles for everything from family transportation to towing car trailers and campers, and each one has fueled my love for Ford’s versatility and durability.
I especially enjoy the styling of 1970s and 1980s Ford trucks—the bold designs, rugged presence, and classic charm are timeless. Sharing my passion for Ford trucks, vans, and SUVs with other enthusiasts online brings me a great deal of joy, and it’s why I created Blue Oval Trucks.
This website is dedicated to helping Ford truck enthusiasts explore, learn about, and celebrate these incredible vehicles. While I share my expertise and experiences here, Blue Oval Trucks is an independent enthusiast site and is not affiliated with Ford Motor Company.
