Best of SEMA 2013 #6 – Diesel COE from Welderup
1954 COE with 450HP Cummins at 2013 SEMA Show
This is the 6th installment of Best of SEMA Show 2013… Why not something totally unexpected?
First of all, what the heck is this? Well, if you’re not familiar with Welderup, then this custom 1954 GMC COE (stands for cab over engine) might come as a bit of a shock. Then again, if this is shocking to you… you probably haven’t ever been to SEMA!
Trucks like this… Yes TRUCKS… hammered on the ground rocking engines with grunt-enough to to rip your neighbor’s Dodge a brand-new-one… That’s really what SEMA showcases most! Filthy as the VIP salon of “Glitter’s” in Las Vegas, over-the-top power and excess. Yep. WE LOVE THAT!
Plus, COE’s are just cool. My buddy Rob built a long bed COE shown here in a keyless ignition how-to. I rode in Rob’s COE. It cruises low and comfortable on air, A/C on, with plenty of power from a gutsy small block Chevy. Rob’s COE turns heads like this one does, even without the bright green Cummins diesel out back!
Here it is… a 6BT Cummins running a single turbo hooked to an appropriately rusty turbo manifold. Other than that, she’s a shiny-looking oil burner making a reported 450 HP built by Industrial Injection. The rearward bed placement must make a bunch of room to stretch out in the cab. Normally you’re sit’n on it. (Cab OVER engine, get it??)
Here’s the big question for this COE… could you, could ANYONE put something like this together in 10 days? Welderup… I gotta call bullshit. That said, Foose and the gang on Overhaulin’ make it happen, I guess. But… Foose doesn’t put an engine in where it doesn’t belong and fabricate a custom air ride suspension riding on 20’s either. Not in 10 days!
Cool thing is, this truck will be featured on the Discovery Channel some time in 2014. Guess we’ll see?
For cool tricks, I tip my hat to the Welderup guys. Massive rust wrench for a bumper with matching wrench bumper brackets… then look closely at the taillights. Yes, those are big-ass bugs floating in the green stuff. All DOT approved, don’t worry.
One last look. Dig it? Hate it? Any strong reaction would most likely be welcomed. At least it’s one thing: Memorable.
Need to see more? Think rat rod trucks and rat rod diesels or diesel powered hot rods (whichever term you prefer) are cool? Check out another diesel rat rod shot at Viva Las Vegas here. It’s also from Welderup and made quite and impression! One smokey start up shown right there ->
Let us know what you think. Your kind of build, or crap that doesn’t belong at SEMA? Thanks!!
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As usual Pikesan you provide great photos of a great range of cars, something for everyone. Choosing the subjects must have been hard. I do like this cab over but yeah 10 days ? Gotta love those rear guards.
Why would Welderup make the statement that they only took 10 days when it was documented on film? This is one of the vehicles that will be featured on Discovery channel. Steve is a stand up guy, and for you to feature the vehicle, yet dog his honesty on how long they took, is just not cool.
ThatPreston, I’m not calling them liars… I’m just doubtful that a truck like this could be assembled in 10 days. When the TV show comes out, we’ll see. I appreciate your feedback. -pikesan
Yea I agree there is no way you could build a rig like that in 10 days, this is a typical TV hype show yet again, Steve builds good and great rigs but not in 10 days.