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What happens when you combine two icons into something new? In this instance, you get a one-of-a-kind truck with the underpinnings of a legendary street performance vehicle.
When Kim Piche assembled his '66 Mercury pickup truck, he set out to make it more than unique; he made it worth talking about. When he picked this vehicle up as an already begun project, the truck body was already on a '09 Crown Victoria chassis and powertrain.
"COVID hit, and I bought it partially complete," said Piche. "I finished off with the body work, which was already on the frame."
Under the hood, the hybrid between old school pickup and turn of the millennium pursuit vehicle is equipped with a 4.6 L 2V SOHC V8. The transmission is the stock 4R75E four-speed automatic transmission.
The hard days of highway patrol and pursuit mean these later-generation Crown Vic powertrains have a pedigree for reliability. To date, Piches' all-white Mercury-Victoria has required no engine work outside of basic maintenance.
"It's my summer driver," said Piche.
The only real modification on the truck is the custom bed in the truck box, which is built around the existing fuel tank and nozzle location from the Crown Vic.
The truck body was originally all black, but Piche decided to switch the colour while sanding down the body work and restoring and preserving the panels.
"There are some flaws," he admitted. "But it will last."
Piche has always had a soft spot for Ford and Mercury. This project has allowed him to combine both badges in a reliable manner, honouring both a beloved body style and a legendary engine.
The one thing left that he wants to tackle with this project? Air conditioning.
"(The little fan on the dash) is mostly for looks," laughed Piche.
Piche is based out of Gravelbourg. He plans to take the truck to local shows, anywhere he fancies, from Moose Jaw to Swift Current. If you spot him driving this carry-all cruiser, feel free to wave him down and ask him a few questions. He's happy to pop open the hood and let the conversation carry on from there.
Under the Hood is powered by Great West Auto Electric, your local Bumper to Bumper dealer in Swift Current. Long live your car.