DFW Car & Toy Museum Unveils 1946 Maxim Street Rod 'Red Screamer' Custom Pickup

The DFW Car & Toy Museum has unveiled the 1946 Maxim Street Rod "Red Screamer" Custom Pickup, now on display as part of the Ron Sturgeon Collection. This bold custom creation represents a fusion of heavy-duty engineering and hot rod flair, offering visitors a rare opportunity to experience extreme craftsmanship and diesel-powered muscle firsthand.

The one-of-a-kind machine pairs a 1946 Ford pickup cab with a custom-fabricated steel frame and a staggering 736 cubic-inch Detroit Diesel 8V92 two-stroke V8 engine. The engine is equipped with both a turbocharger and a scavenger blower, producing an estimated 430 horsepower and a colossal 1,186 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels via an Allison four-speed automatic transmission and a Rockwell rear end with 4.64:1 gearing.

The Maxim retains heavy-duty components including power steering, axles, and air brakes, giving this street rod the capabilities of a commercial vehicle. Riding on 24.5" alloy wheels, the chassis features a custom suicide front end and semi-elliptical leaf springs with a ~5,000 lb-rated custom spring for optimal balance of stance and strength.

Visually, the truck makes an equally impressive statement, stretching approximately 21 feet long and over 8 feet wide. The design includes a polished tonneau, white flourishes over the deep red exterior, split windshield, chrome headlight housings, and dual air horns. Additional features include side-mounted cylindrical fuel tanks, a "flying eyeball" painted on the rear differential cover, and an aggressive dual 5-inch exhaust system.

Ron Sturgeon, owner of the DFW Car & Toy Museum, stated, "This is a street rod like no other — the sound, the size, and the pure spectacle of this machine turn heads everywhere it goes. It's a perfect example of the creativity and engineering passion we love to celebrate in the automotive world."

The 1946 Maxim Street Rod "Red Screamer" is now on display alongside more than 200 collector vehicles and 3,000 rare toys and memorabilia items at the DFW Car & Toy Museum. Visitors can find more information about the museum at https://dfwcarandtoymuseum.com.