Lil Redd Wrecker: A Show-Stopping Custom Wrecker

Chrome Spectacle - Most tow trucks are built to work, not to attract attention. Lil Redd Wrecker broke that rule completely. Created in the early 1970s for comedian and Sanford & Son star Redd Foxx, this custom wrecker turned an ordinary utility vehicle into one of the most unusual show trucks of its era.

Redd Fox Lil Red Wrecker built by the famous builder George Barris in the early 1970s. (Picture from: TowForce.net)

The project is closely associated with legendary customizer George Barris, whose name is linked to many famous Hollywood vehicles. For Lil Redd Wrecker, Barris transformed the truck into a rolling spectacle with a hand-built steel body, tube-frame construction, Corvette rear suspension, and a dramatic tilt-front cab topped by a tinted sky window. An oval grille, quad rectangular headlights, and extensive chrome work gave it a futuristic appearance that looked nothing like a conventional wrecker.

The cabin of the Redd Fox Lil Red Wrecker covered dominantly with red-velvet while the blue on its seater side. (Picture from: TowForcenet)

Its mechanical layout was just as unconventional. A chrome-plated, supercharged 392-cubic-inch Chrysler engine sat in the middle of the vehicle, while the cockpit featured a rare center-steering arrangement. Power braking and hydraulic controls added to the truck’s highly customized character.

The gorgeous Redd Fox Lil Red Wrecker is powered by an all chrome plated supercharged 392 cubic inches Chrysler's mid-mounted engine. (Picture from: TapaTalk)

Inside, Joe Perez created a striking cabin trimmed with crushed blue velvet, foam-pattern upholstery, and antique-look vinyl. The rear recovery unit was fully chrome plated and operated by electric push buttons. Dual MOON fuel tanks, deep-dish chrome wheels, custom pinstriping, gold-leaf graphics, and thirty coats of Kandy Redd paint completed the truck’s unforgettable look.

Although it was originally built as a show vehicle rather than a working tow truck, Lil Redd Wrecker remains an important piece of custom-car history. Restored to running condition decades later, it continues to reflect the creativity and excess that defined 1970s American show-car culture. Even today, its design feels bold enough to stand out in any automotive event. *** [EKA [30082020]  | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BARIS.COM | TOWFORCE.NET | MOTORIOUS.COM]

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