By reimagining a rusty relic into a gleaming showstopper, Chaotic Customs has proven once again that passion, precision, and a little chaos can create something extraordinary. The star of this latest transformation? A 1940 Ford pickup truck that has been reworked from the ground up and unveiled at SEMA 2013 as a jaw-dropping custom build destined for the spotlight.
But the journey to SEMA didn’t begin with a grand plan — it started with a simple patch job.
From Hole in the Hood to Dream Machine
Mike Young first visited Chaotic Customs in Mulvane, Kansas, to fix a gaping hole in the hood of his 1929 Model A roadster after removing a blower motor. The shop, run by Chris and Karma Carlson, did more than just patch the hood — they rebuilt the car. That project marked the beginning of a partnership and friendship between the Youngs and the Carlsons.
However, despite the roadster’s polished revival, it soon became clear that Kansas’ sweltering summers and relentless wind didn’t agree with Mike’s wife, Glenna. She wasn’t a “roadster chick,” as Mike put it. So, a new goal was born: build a comfortable, enclosed custom car that Glenna would love riding in on long hauls to car shows. Naturally, Mike returned to Chaotic Customs to bring this new vision to life.
The Ugly Duckling: Enter the ’40 Ford
While Mike had his sights set on a post-war Chevy Fleetline, Chris Carlson suggested something less obvious — a worn 1940 Ford pickup. Mike’s first impression was brutally honest: “You can’t drink it pretty!” But Chris saw what Mike couldn’t yet envision. And as any Chaotic Customs client will attest, once Chris plants the seed of a custom build, it quickly takes root.
What began as plans for a simple cruiser spiraled into an ambitious, show-worthy undertaking. Over Italian food and house wine at Battista’s Hole in the Wall in Las Vegas — during SEMA 2012 — the build’s direction shifted dramatically. Surrounded by the glamour of cutting-edge customs, Mike caught the fever, and the team began designing a custom truck meant to debut at the 2014 Detroit Autorama.
Building a SEMA Star
With excitement building, momentum picked up. When Martin Senour Automotive Finishes (under Sherwin-Williams) caught wind of the project, they came onboard, helping to secure a reveal at the 2013 SEMA Show in their booth. From that moment, the build shifted into overdrive.
The modifications are nothing short of staggering: over 188 body alterations in total. Not a single panel was left untouched. The top was chopped by 4.5 inches, the body sectioned by 2.5 inches, and it was channeled another 2 inches. The doors and cab were each stretched 2.5 inches to maintain balance and proportion. The entire cab was reshaped — the roof and doors were leaned forward 12 degrees, creating a sense of movement even when parked.
And the detail work? Immaculate. The beltline was redefined. Corners were rounded and smoothed. Custom rear windows were fabricated. Every inch was reimagined, reshaped, or reengineered.
The Bed, the Fenders, and the Fine Details
The truck’s bed followed the cab’s aggressive stance, being tilted forward to match and shortened by five inches in the front. It received new rails, reshaped corners, and custom flares. The rear fenders were perhaps the most dramatic transformation — they were stretched 12.5 inches in length, widened by 1.25 inches, and raised by 5 inches. Dual 1959 Cadillac taillights were frenched in, giving the back end a bold retro-modern finish.
The front end didn’t escape the touch of the Chaotic crew either. The hood was pie-cut and pancaked at the beltline, while the nose was completely reworked. A one-off custom Alumicraft grille was fabricated to crown the front, flanked by widened fenders and reshaped headlights. Even the running boards received a complete overhaul, flowing seamlessly into the redesigned fenders.
Underneath it all, the Ford rides on a TCI chassis powered by a crate LS1 350 V8 paired with a 4L65E transmission — a modern heartbeat in a classic shell. And inside, a full custom leather interior was underway, stitched in-house at Chaotic Customs’ upholstery shop.
A Paint Job Like No Other
Of course, a show truck needs paint that turns heads — and this one delivers. Chris and the team at Martin Senour formulated a custom hue loaded with crushed glass and galaxy crystals. Under the lights, the paint practically explodes with color and depth. The team dubbed the color “Bankrupt Blues,” a nod to its dazzling excess. It’s a one-of-a-kind blend, never to be replicated on another vehicle.
The Road Ahead
The official reveal of the ’40 Ford happened at SEMA 2013 in the NAPA/Martin Senour booth, and it marked the beginning of a whirlwind year for the Youngs and the Carlsons. The truck hit the ISCA show circuit, starting with the Houston Autorama and culminating at Lafayette’s grand finale.
For Mike and Glenna, this build is more than just a truck. It’s a piece of rolling art, born from friendship, creativity, and the sheer will to push boundaries. And yes, Glenna now proudly declares herself a “pickup chick.”
Behind the Build: Chaotic Customs
Chaotic Customs is a family-run operation staffed by a talented crew of 16 working out of a 15,000-square-foot facility. Their shop houses everything needed for a top-tier custom build — paint, body and fabrication, exhaust work, mechanical services, upholstery, and even a hot rod parts retail section.
From a humble repair to a show-stopping spectacle, the 1940 Ford pickup is proof of what can happen when passion and craftsmanship collide. It’s not just about restoring a vehicle — it’s about reinventing what’s possible.
