1977 Ford F100 – Mattie B.

My name is Mattie, and I am 17 years old from Ashland, Ohio. My hobbies include playing softball and working at my Grandpa’s business, Bates Garage and Towing. I’ve always been passionate about cars, especially classic ones, since my dad passed away when I was just 4 years old. He was the kind of person who always had a classic car, and this red 1977 Ford F-100 with a 351M engine is a project he started before his passing.
The truck came from Georgia, so there’s no rust on it, which was a huge advantage. It sat in my Great Grandma’s garage for about 10 years in pieces, waiting for the right time to come together. When I was ready to begin, my stepdad, Cody, and I took on the task of rebuilding it from the ground up, starting with just the frame, engine, cab, and bed. It took us around two years to complete the project.
The truck is mostly stock, but we made one modification by adding power brakes to make it easier for me to drive. My Grandpa Bates and I also painted it at Bates Garage, where we have a small paint booth. Once finished, I took the truck to a car show in Ashland, where it was awarded a fan-favorite plaque, a moment I’ll never forget.
We sourced most of the parts from LMC, and their support made the build process smoother. This truck is a special part of my family’s history and a lasting memory of my dad, one that I’m proud to carry forward.