
Sue Manners' Stunning Ford Roadster Pickup
From a Dream to the Streets:
Estimated reading time: 4-5 minutes
After taking her fella’s hot rod for a spin around the block, Sue Manners decided it was time to bring her own dream to life.
Dreams are powerful—they guide us towards the things we want most. Sue Manners, the proud owner of this immaculate 1929 Ford Model A Roadster Pickup, listened to her inner voice. The result? A stunning custom build, born from her deepest passions and brought into reality.
How a joyride in her partner’s hot rod sparked Sue’s passion to build her own show-stopping 1929 Ford Model A Roadster Pickup.


Sue found herself overtaking car after car, leaving jaws dropping as she went. Once back at Steve’s workshop, her mind began to wander, envisioning the possibilities of owning her own hot rod.
After many discussions, poring over magazines, and attending hot rod shows, Sue finally found the retro-cool Roadster Pickup you see here. But it didn’t start out in this pristine condition.
Sue’s partner, Steve Langy, has been building and customising hot rods for over 30 years. He owns Langy’s Rod Shop in Watford, UK. Sue’s dream of owning a hot rod began when Steve handed her the keys to his 1926 Model T Coupe for a drive.
The moment she hit the road, the thrill of driving such a legendary machine was unforgettable—one of those moments we all cherish.












Purchased in 2003, the car initially had a deep brown paint job with a brushed metal look on the front section. It was a fun runaround, with no major plans for a complete rebuild—until a holiday in California changed everything. While on their trip, Sue caught her first glimpse of some incredibly stylish Roadster Pickups, and her dreams of transforming her own ride began to take shape.


Steve began fitting the flooring, using 1/2 inch marine ply, which he then fibreglassed on both sides for added durability and waterproofing. The firewall and custom steel frames for the front and rear sections were next. For the rear bed, Steve entrusted his good friend Andy Ford to fabricate a custom steel bed, staying as close to the original design as possible.
Both Steve and Sue were over the moon with the result.
With the bodywork progressing smoothly, Steve moved on to the door frames, fitting the doors and seating frames. The build was really starting to take shape. The steel outer rear cab was put in place, followed by the dashboard and steering column. Once the front was complete, the custom steel bed was bolted onto the rear.
Over the following months, Steve meticulously ensured every part was fitted to perfection.
The engine was built to spec, and everything was crafted to Sue’s liking. he transformation was almost complete, but Sue wanted to put her personal stamp on the car. She chose a bright red respray in Porsche India Red and added a leopard print theme to the bed and dashboard, giving the Roadster Pickup a bold, unique style.
It’s fair to say that Steve, with the help of his friends, brought Sue’s dream to life in spectacular fashion.
Tech Specs for Sue’s 1929 Ford Model A:
Engine: 3.5-litre V8, Viper Hurricane Cam, Edelbrock inlet manifold & 500 carb, ported and polished heads, stainless steel ARP bolts, Edelbrock alloy rocker covers.
Chassis: Modified early Ford front end, Ford Mustang rear axle with 1940 Ford spring and ladder bars, 1940 Ford drum brakes (front), 1967 Ford Mustang drum brakes (rear), 21mm bore master cylinder & servo.
Wheels & Tyres: Radir Tri Rib alloys, 4” x 15 (front), 8” x 15 (rear) with Coker Commander whitewall tyres.
Bodywork: Porsche India Red paint, custom-made steel bed, stainless steel rear cab, custom steel frames.
Interior: White leather trim with leopard print inserts.


As soon as they returned from California, Steve got to work. He removed the body and sold it, making way for the transformation to begin. During the process, Steve noticed some issues with the chassis and decided a complete rebuild was in order. He moved the servo and master cylinder under the floor, had the frame sandblasted, and boxed the front frame horns. Once the frame was painted, he tackled the axles and brakes, ready to start on the body.
In 2005, Steve found a replacement body at an NASC meet, courtesy of Mark at Fenland Rods. With the help of his friend Brian, they rushed back to the garage and had the new body lined up and bolted onto the chassis within two hours—ready for the next stage of the build.
From a Dream to the Streets
Sue Manners turned a dream into reality by transforming a 1929 Ford Model A Roadster Pickup into a personalised hot rod masterpiece.
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