This is one truck you won’t miss at a car show. It’s bright orange, and about as cool as a custom truck can get! Lowered, chopped, and built to stand at the top of the custom spectrum, this bright orange beauty has a lot to bring to the table. We love the look and style of the build, and the classic hot rod drivetrain makes this such a cool hauler.

This truck belongs to Ron Mustain of Tacoma, Washington, and he’s only had the truck for a couple of years, and he takes it to shows all up and down the Western side of the United States. “I’ve had this from here down to Yuma, Arizona, in car shows,” Ron told us. Just for perspective, if you’re not from the area, the trip from Tacoma to Salem and back is almost 400-miles round trip.

Ron bought this hot rod after he was nearly killed in his old truck. “I was pulling out of a car show and got rear ended. The accident totaled my ’48 Mercury pickup,” he stated. Instead of trying to recreate the old Merc, he went with something entirely different, and  ended up with Orange Crush! The name Orange Crush obviously comes from the color, but it’s a fun theme that Ron has used to add props and other goodies to his car show display.

It’s more than just good looks though. This truck has a lot hidden beneath the hood and within its chassis. “It’s all standard-issue street-rod,” Ron said about the drivetrain. The rest of the truck is very customized and features hand-fabricated running boards, a custom box, chopped top, and it’s all done by hand.

The standard-issue drivetrain that he was referring to, is a combination of the tried-and-true small-block 350 cubic-inch engine and the venerable Turbo 350 automatic transmission. The truck utilizes the original chassis with a Heidts Mustang II front suspension with disc brakes, 17-inch American Racing Torque Thrust wheels, a 3.42-geared rearend, a custom-built fuel tank, and a Walker radiator.

The body and paint customizations are even more impressive when you get down to the details. The top has received a generous 4-inch chop, the windshield “splitter” has been eliminated, the firewall has been smoothed, and the headlights have been frenched. In classic hot-rod style, the door locks, door handles, and all the emblems have been shaved as well. The only chrome on the truck is the front bumper, giving the overall build a sleek style that is very streamlined.

The interior features power windows by Relic, a Colorado Custom steering wheel, seats from a 1985 Ford Escort, Dakota Digital keyless entry, Old Air Products A/C and heat, a custom made steel dash, leather upholstery, and a beautiful custom headliner. With the A/C, soft and durable leather, and a modern stereo, this truck is just as comfortable to drive as it is fun to drive.

This is one of those builds that does a good job mixing classic style with the modern technology by adding the flair of some of today’s automotive trends. With all of that, Orange Crush is an ideal hot rod that we look forward to seeing out at shows down the road.