This 1951 Ford COE is owned by Steve Taylor over in the UK. Steve has been building custom cars for years, and eventually opened up his own shop as a premier custom builder. Steve always wanted to build a one-of-a-kind tow rig, so when he came across this Ford COE, the visions began to occupy his every thought.
Shortly after purchasing the Ford, the game plan was a complete rebuild with intentions of slamming it flat to the ground. “When I bought the ford there was quite a bit done to it already, but it desperately needed some major detail and character. I’ve seen lots of finished COEs but they tend to be haulers in the states, and I wanted a completely different look this time around so we went with the Texaco theme wrecker. Later on I might turn her into a functional hauler for the shop, but for now I’m pretty happy with the way she turned out.”
Some of the major modifications included swapping the chassis over to a 1996 Chevy Silverado with a newer 2005 Chevy 1500 rearend. It would have been better if he would have stayed true with a ford frame and one-ton rear, but at least he kept the original 239 flathead that has been rebuilt and “livened up” a bit. The flathead is coupled to a T5 5-speed TVR trans.
Custom additions include adding the power steering, ididit steering column, Wilwood disc brakes, VIAIR Compressor and gauges with Firestone heavy-duty bags, No Limit Engineering one-off front clip and No Limit rear trailing arms.
For the perfect stance Steve chose a set of 20-inch Torque Thrust wheels painted creme with Corvette spinners paying homage to the heritage.
For the long hauls a pair of stainless steel 10-gallon gas tanks house the fuel, and Steve says the COE is capable of a respectable 17-19 MPG, which is nice since “petrol” is around $9/gallon in the UK.
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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.
