SEMA 2009: Toyota Tundra Hot Rod kinda cool misses the bullseye
Toyota Tundra Hot Rod - Click above for high-res image gallery
Yeah... Toyota is painting this one as a what-would-happen if Tundras existed back during the hot rodding heyday of the 1950s. We'll let you draw your own conclusions about that. However, we would like to take this opportunity to point out that the grill would have been chrome, not matte. And odds are they would have lowered the truck a bit more, right?
Also, whatever aerodynamic advantage gained with the moon disk hubs is negated (and then some) by the giant wing mirrors. All that smack talked, an actual Japanese take on American hot rods would be welcome -- maybe next year. Full press release -- and perhaps a better explanation -- after the jump.
Gallery: SEMA 2009: Toyota Tundra Hot Rod
Photos copyright ©2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.
Press Release
Toyota Tundra Hot Rod
The growing popularity of retro/old school hot rods in the aftermarket world has inspired Toyota to take a Texas-built Tundra Regular Cab full-size pickup and prove that a present day economical work truck could realistically be made into an American hot rod. Toyota also wanted to show consumers that Tundra is a truck that not only works hard, but plays hard too. The result is the Tundra Hot Rod, which takes a fun look at what a Toyota Tundra pickup truck might have looked like if it had been part of the iconic 1950s and '60s hot rod era.
Toyota assisted Phoenix-based project partner Sucker Punch Sally's by providing a flat black Tundra Regular Cab 4x2 for the hot rod conversion. The exterior received candy red hotrod flames, Bonneville moon hubcaps, a custom 1950's Toyota logo in the grille, and a custom cherry bomb exhaust.
Sucker Punch Sally's also went old school inside with the installation of a full custom tuck 'n' roll interior. Additional interior modifications include a custom headliner, dash pad, and carpet along with hand-turned brass dashboard controls. The interior is topped off with a custom curly maple wood cargo deck.
Fender Guitars also made significant contributions to the project. Inside, the Tundra Hot Rod features Fender Guitar custom radio knobs and installed in the truck bed is a polished wood floor, using the Fender Custom Shop's finest flamed maple. Sucker Punch Sally's also added custom aluminum side panels and railing.
Toyota's partnerships with Sucker Punch Sally's and Fender Guitar will allow the Tundra Hot Rod to be seen beyond the 2009 SEMA Show by a wide range of audiences as the truck is scheduled to be displayed at a minimum of 55 various consumer events over the next year.
Toyota Tundra Hot Rod Features
Sucker Punch Sally's (suckerpunchsallys.com)
- Candy red hotrod flames
- Bonneville baby moon hubcaps
- Cherry bomb exhaust
- Custom 1950's Toyota logo in grille
- Full custom tuck 'n' roll interior
- Custom headliner, dash pad and carpet
- Hand turned brass dashboard controls
- Custom curly maple wood cargo deck
- Custom aluminum side panels and railing
Fender Guitar (fender.com)
- Fender Guitar hand turned brass dashboard controls
- Flamed maple wood flooring in truck bed
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Russell 5:47PM (11/04/2009)
not even close...
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Randy 11:18PM (11/04/2009)
"Juuuuust a bit outside"
- Major League
Jei 3:04PM (11/05/2009)
Toyota, again trying to pretend to be a homegrown American company.
hokieman09 5:47PM (11/04/2009)
Welcome to the 80's. Does it come with a mullet?
Just disgusting.
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John H. 6:33PM (11/04/2009)
Apparently, nobody at Toyota knows how to do a hot rod flame job....
Nor how to chop a roof or lower a body..
It's pretty embarrassing.
Total proof that Toyota doesn't get "cool".
Now, if Toyota wants to do an art deco toaster, I'm sure they could ace it.
orion 5:50PM (11/04/2009)
Fail
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UCJR 5:50PM (11/04/2009)
Rat rod/satin paint/Von Dutch = auto-win.
80's Toyota custom mini-truck = kinda win (depends on what's been done)
This truck = Fail
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jrhmobile 5:52PM (11/04/2009)
Dudes, you're channelin' the wrong vibe. This isn't supposed to be a '34 Ford; it's supposed to be a mid-'50s F-100. Think speed shop parts truck and it's not so offensive.
But it needs belt buckles for door handles.
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dsharp23 5:52PM (11/04/2009)
G-eh!
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Matt (that likes ford) 5:53PM (11/04/2009)
This rod is hot. NOT!
Well done at making satin finish look horrible...
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Matt (that likes ford) 5:55PM (11/04/2009)
Wait, are those DUAL cherry bomb glasspack mufflers I see poking out under there? Get that off an import!
Ohso Clutch 5:55PM (11/04/2009)
Love those wheels...
But they don't work with tires that big.
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dukeisduke 5:55PM (11/04/2009)
Epic Fail. The only interesting thing is the vintage Toyota logo up front, and even that's just slapped on to the oval where the new one goes - the one that someone in a magazine once called, "The Pillsbury Doughboy signaling a touchdown".
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Vetmstr 5:57PM (11/04/2009)
WOW dont you guys know there is nothing cool about any toyota BC it is a toyota. u FAIL!!
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MONTE 5:59PM (11/04/2009)
I should grow my mullet back out and get one of these! Maybe then I would be the coolest alumni at the Friday night high school football games.
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hokieman09 6:06PM (11/04/2009)
Wow!!! those mufflers look like garbage!!! That's the best they could do?
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jaywebguy 6:08PM (11/04/2009)
I own a tundra, and love my truck. But after seeing thing, I want to go outside and kick in the grill on it.
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caddy-v 6:15PM (11/04/2009)
What's the old addage? You can put lipstick on a pig but in the end, it's still a rustbucket pig?
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tscurt 6:25PM (11/04/2009)
Awkward, clumsy and obvious. Kinda cool??? I think not.
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Max 6:20PM (11/04/2009)
Stock chrome grill and headlights on a matte black, hot rod inspired paint job. BAD!
Too bad LeMons rules don't apply. This thing needs to be crushed.
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