phil Gordan
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December 17, 2024
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Features
THE national slogan for Ontario is “Yours to Discover.” Perhaps inspired by this slogan, there comes a time when every Canadian boy finds his destiny. For Adam Lewis from Ingersoll, Ontario, his moment began with a Take Your Child to Work day. Adam’s father, Rick, was somewhat of a computer wizard and developed a software that created an inventory management system in garages around the country.
“I remember walking into the garage with my dad and seeing this slammed OBS sitting on a hoist,” Adam tells Street Trucks. “I can give you every detail of that truck to this day.”
For Adam’s 16th birthday, he and his father were browsing an auto trader magazine looking for his first vehicle. The initial choice was going to be a Chevy or Mazda; in fact, when one of his friends suggested a Ford, Adam responded, “F-No.” His father actually spotted a 1989 Ford Ranger and said they should go check it out. It was originally owned by the seller, who used it to haul his motorcycles—but to say the truck was loved would be a lie. The only reason Adam agreed was because he going to see a slammed S-10 after the Ford. The truck was good, not great. But when Adam saw it, his life changed. His father test-drove the truck with Adam in the passenger seat. He didn’t say much, and they went home after that with Adam wondering why they didn’t look at any other vehicles.
Little did he know, Rick had purchased the Ford Ranger without Adam even knowing it and gave it to him as a huge birthday present.
The Ranger went through the normal nip/tuck phase with Adam trying his creativity out to make sure it was unique for him. It went through three different paint processes. His first show solidified his passion north of the border and turned him into a truck connoisseur. A bunch of money and an upset father later, Adam brought in the truck to be bagged. An out of control street racer slammed into Adam’s Ranger, and it was back to the drawing board. It was time to go all out and show the country what Adam and his friends were capable of.
They started to shave the truck with a friend who knew how to weld. Then, they started to address all the engine leaks. Because of the long delay, the truck was sarcastically nicknamed “The Unicorn,” as things kept changing and taking longer and longer. Adam was able to find a Ford Mustang motor from a friend, and a couple of his friends, Ed Godin and Rob Vanluik, helped get it together and running. The motor mounts were replaced with Modified Welder Series and everything was installed in Adam’s garage.
Now that the motor was built and ready for the streets up north, Adam turned his focus on the exterior. Every body modification was done inside Adam’s garage with the help of his close friends Steve Carlucci, Dennis Thorne, Gary Donkers, Todd Robinson and, of course, Adam. His goal was to have this mini fit into a truck show and a hot-rod show. Everything done to the body was completely thought out. After being in the scene for many years, it was hard to stand out, but Adam did everything to do just that. Every single color added to the Ford is a factory Ford color—including the pinstripe. With the steady and talented hand of Adam Pettengill and Adam, the entire Ranger was coated and repainted to perfection.
The seats became an interesting story. Adam’s father preferred the stock Ranger seats and actually traded his custom Cessna airplane seats for the stocks. Tim Atkinson came in and stitched the seats while Adam custom built the door panels. The console between the seats was made to resemble a full bench seat instead of buckets.
Once the interior met Adam’s standards, it was time to adjust the one-off suspension. Although the actual air ride was changed many times, the most recent was built by Steve Carlucci, Gary Donkers, Dennis Thorne, and Adam inside his home garage using nothing more than a MIG welder. It was a lot of trial and error. The Mustang II suspension clip used hand-built control arms and upper and lower modified drop spindles. The suspension is very similar to a triangulated 4-link.
With many people to thank, Adam wishes to recognize Phil Gordon for spotting his truck and wanting to shoot it for a magazine, his parents Tina and Rick Lewis, Adam Pettengill, Steve Carlucci, Kevin Crowhurst, Gary Donkers, Matt Kennedy, Cory Hussey, Ed Godin, Todd Robinson, Rob Vanluik, Trevor Bradfield, Tim Atkinson from IssyFab, Brandon Steplock from ProGrade Detailing, Ryan Leeming from RL Shine, John Paul Ellis from Stripping Technologies, Dennis Thorne from Thorne Customs, Shawn Pereira from King of Bling, Rob Allison from Pinhead Metalkraft, Phil Cholette from PhilBuilt Designs, Jordan White from Precision Laser Works, and his entire Acrophobia family.
This truck is a result of 25 years of friendship, heartache, happiness and sadness. It’s as much of a reflection of Adam as he could ever express.
“It’s humbling to know that a truck built in a garage by a bunch of friends all starting their own companies could go this far,” Adam adds, “I am blessed and lucky because I love each and everyone who enjoyed this build.”
Adam Lewis
Ontario, Canada
1989 Ford Ranger GT
Acrophobia
CHASSIS
Front suspension
Rear Suspension
DRIVETRAIN
Engine
BODY/PAINT
INTERIOR
WHEELS & TIRES
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