Valspar Automotive is taking a local Minneapolis builder to the SEMA show this year Nov. 1-4 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Vescio’s Customization & Restoration in Rogers is bringing a custom 1947 Ford Pickup to the refinish industry’s biggest get-together of the year, representing the global coatings manufacturer and its legacy brand: Valspar Refinish.
Founded by Bo Vescio, the shop prides itself on the perfectly unique build, paying extra special attention to the detail going into each vehicle and maintaining an exceptional level of craftsmanship – something expected of an award-winning shop.
“SEMA’s Ford Pickup this year is no different,” Vescio says.
Finished exclusively with Valspar Refinish products, this year’s SEMA feature build was already a winner, taking home the “Outstanding Paint” award from this year’s Autorama in Detroit. The truck is sealed with DTM2035 and sports a factory Ford Cinnamon 2010 series color (HT), painted with Valspar Refinish 999 Basecoat and finished with Valspar AC4400 HS Clearcoat.
This year’s showing will be the second time Vescio’s Customizing & Restoration has had a custom build at the SEMA Show, and it’s only the second time this specific build has been exhibited publically.
“We’re very excited to have the Ford at SEMA this year,” Vescio said. “It’s been about 10 years since we had anything out there. My wife and I try to go out every year, and it’s a lot more work having a car on display you can show off, but the payoff is great. You can make so many more connections with all the cool people that come to the show.”
The Ford was originally a dually rear axle one-ton farm truck with a huge wood box. It was given to owner Mike Butts by a friend of his that was terminally ill, Vescio said. “It came with some much meaning to Mike,” he said.
Vescio’s Customizing & Restoration spent two years on the build.
The truck bed was rebuilt with a new steel box, custom nickel plating and chrome work. The interior was updated by Dan Weber and Weber’s Custom Interiors. Vescio’s incorporated the original frame into the final build, but added a Mustang II front end suspension. The truck has a 500 horsepower 351 engine – also custom.
“Being from Minneapolis, I’ve been privileged to work closely with Valspar Automotive and display cars at various shows in town in their paints,” Vescio said. “We’ve tried other paint companies over the years, but for the price point, ease of their system and the quality, we go with Valspar Automotive every time.”
Other feature Valspar Automotive vehicles to be shown on the grounds outside of the Las Vegas Convention Center include a 1958 Plymouth Belvedere in Prospray Finishes by John Wargo of The Custom Shop in Flanagan, Ill., and a 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback by Brand-X-Customs of Everett, Wash.
For more information about Valspar Automotive, visit valsparauto.com. Find Valspar Automotive at the SEMA Show at booth no. 10851 (North Hall).
