Mike Satterfield, who grew up on a calf ranch in Chino, Calif., had a foot in two worlds. Of course, there was always plenty of farm work, like digging post holes and tending to livestock. But he also cultivated his passion for cars and trucks—like this 1969 Ford F100 ranch truck, featured on eBay Motors “Parts of America Tour.”
Satterfield’s unexpected builds come from a made-up automotive history.
Satterfield told us:
I always want to have the vehicles that make people wonder if it’s real. The builds seem like they could’ve happened but never did.
As with all the vehicles on the eBay Motors Parts of America tour, the F100 occupies a unique niche. The ranch truck could have just rolled off a 1970s movie set.
eBay Motors’s “Parts of America” launched on September 21. In the coming weeks, the eBay Motors hauler will roll into a dozen US communities, explore regional car culture with the locals, and pick up unique modded vehicles along the way—each created in partnership with star builders.
To follow the tour and dive into the builds, visit eBay.com/PartsOfAmerica.
Origin Story
Satterfield’s ’54 Crestine looked a bit like this one.
Satterfield was 14 years old when he bought a 1954 Ford Crestine project car for $150. He spent his summer holiday getting the car running. After he rebuilt the carburetor and replaced the gas tank, fuel filter, and fuel pump, the 300 cubic-inch six-cylinder engine roared to life. A new road of possibilities opened up for the young man.
On a farm in California, you could legally drive without a license.
Following his father’s footprints, Satterfield embarked on a journey with the Crestline, to be followed by an endless string of projects. The F100 pays homage to his upbringing.
All About Aesthetics
Satterfield’s wicked-cool 1969 Ford F100 is an authentic ranch truck speckled with rust and dings. The F100 is packed with details, including the original dealer sticker. To maintain the rustic look, he kept the old-school ranch bumper and gun rack. The exterior updates—an old hickory bed inset and gorgeous lettering—add to the aesthetic.
Sean Starr, an award-winning Texas sign painter, did the custom lettering. Starr paints everything from Starbucks murals to Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Ferraris. He’s also known for traditional distressed old-style hand-painted lettering.
Satterfield said:
People who see this truck think the lettering was done in 1969. Every time I roll into a gas station, it starts a conversation about the truck’s origins.
Refreshing a Survivor
The F100 drives like an old truck. Satterfield dropped in a freshly rebuilt 360 Ford V-8 with electronic ignition. When you pop the hood, it looks like a time capsule, with the traditional blue Ford valve covers and air cleaner. The rebuilt suspension with stock bushings and shocks restores the factory ride, while a power disc brake conversion kit from Classic Performance Products adds much appreciated stopping power.
It’s period-correct with modest updates—not overly resto-modded. The interior has the original wood grain on the door panels, but the black upholstery on the seats now features cowhide inserts. The new stock-looking Custom Auto Sound radio looks like it’s from the 1960s, but Bluetooth adds hands-free capability. Nearly everything was sourced from eBay Motors—from the new carpet to the vintage trim pieces.
Satterfield said:
When you get behind the wheel, you’re instantly transported to a different time and place. People sometimes over-engineer that aspect of their project cars.
The F100 is no trailer queen. Authentic ranch trucks are a common sight in Texas. But Satterfield’s hardworking 1969 rig is now elevated to fine automotive art and a vital part of American history.
Satterfield said:
To bring that piece of culture out on the road and park it next to a Porsche race car on the eBay Motors Parts of America tour, that’s very cool.
