The Story

Bruce Leven was a successful businessman that was involved in Porsche racing from 1977 through to 1990 as a team owner and driver. He had a vision as a teenager of a simple Ford Coupe modified to race in Europe during the 1950s. This car, that he named GT51, is the result of that vision, designed and built over 5 years, and completed when he was 78 years old. The car won dozens of awards, but sadly, Bruce passed away in 2017 shortly after the car was completed. He never got a chance to drive the car.

GT51 is known throughout the car community as the “Wicked Shoebox”.

Why "Shoebox"?

The 1949 Ford was the first major "postwar" American car line, beating Chevrolet to market by six months and Plymouth by nine. In response to its design, the model line would become called the "Shoebox Ford", denoting its slab-sided design.

While the design theme had been in use since the late 1920s to streamline automobiles, the 1949 Ford marked its widest-scale use, removing running boards entirely and integrating front and rear fenders into a single, smooth body form.

Why "Wicked"?

This car was created by Wicked Fabrication located in Auburn, Washington.

Specifications

BODY

• Wicked Fabrication sliced the car in half and wedge-sectioned the body, removing 2.5 inches from the back and 5.5 inches from the front

• The roof was pancaked 1.5 inches to thin the crown, then a 1958 Impala/Mercedes Gullwing style vent was added

• Front and rear bumpers were removed and chin and tail pans were created

• The rear quarters were re-shaped while the lower quarters were extended by 1.25 inches

• The grille opening was created out of machined aluminum with amber fog lights with mesh guards

• A new hood was created from aluminum with the peak removed

• The wheel openings were radiused and slightly flared

• All glass was flush mounted with polycarbonate side windows

• Trafficators (semaphore signals) pop out behind each door as turn indicators

• Byers Custom and Restoration was in charge of the bodywork and paint

• The colors come from a 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300SL, but using PPG paint in a custom mix of modern “Blue Gray” Porsche colors

ENGINE

• Shaver Racing Engines built the 1956 Lincoln 368ci Y-block power plant - 370 hp, 389 lb-ft torque

• Rare 1 of 4 sets of Hilborn injectors built in the 1950s for Daytona speed runs

• Modern fuel injection was hidden inside the mounting blocks

• Modern ignition system built inside of the magneto housing

• External dry-sump oil pump

• Power steering

• Custom fabricated stainless steel headers connect to a polished 2.5 inch exhaust system that exits out the side with flush mounted tips and riveted plates

CHASSIS

• An Art Morrison chassis is used with independent front and rear suspension

• Custom Koni Coilovers with Umbrella Auto Design Air over coil axle lift system

• The rear axle is a Speedway Engineering quick change independent center section with Porsche 930 CV joints, gun-drilled axles, and late model Thunderbird uprights

• Tremec T5 5-speed transmission

• Wilwood power disc brakes on all four corners

• Vintage Engineering created the reproduction 15x5.5 and 15x7 Novi Indy Car knock off wheels made from magnesium

• Goodyear Assurance 215/65 Rear and 185/60 Front

INTERIOR

• Stitches Custom Auto Upholstery was in charge of the interior and draws inspiration from aircraft of the era

• PPG Grey Blue interior paint

• Custom seats with Denim Blue and Tracker Brown distressed leathers

• Irish Cream distressed leather for the headliner

• The floor wears tan German square-weave carpet

• Custom shifter shaft and mount

• Custom painted Ididit steering column with a Nardi steering wheel

• Custom gauges by Classic Instruments

• Modern Vintage Air climate control system

• Circuit breaker panel instead of fuses

• Overhead custom console with toggle switches