The Ford
Racing Performance Parts team wanted to show just how powerful a new “Cammer”
crate engine can be with its 1953 Ford F-100 Panel Truck project, unveiled at
this year’s Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show. A logical
successor to last year’s spectacular FR100 pickups, which were based on a pair
of vintage 1953 F-Series trucks, the hot-rodded ‘53 Panel Truck being showcased
this time around carries a mission similar to the custom FR100s before it.
“We returned
to using a vintage Ford truck as a test-bed because it’s both eye-catching and
something any enthusiast can relate to,” said Dan Davis, director Ford Racing
Technology (FRT). “Many of our performance parts customers build hot-rod trucks,
so we felt that building up another cool ‘53 to package a modified version of
our new 5.0-liter “Cammer” crate engine was the perfect project to demonstrate
the use of modern V-8 performance and technology.”
This time
around, Ford Racing’s engineering staff had the game-plan experience of building
the FR100 show trucks, so many of those lessons learned could be applied to help
transform the Panel truck into a fully streetable, high-performance custom.
Because the F-100s front frame rail spacing was similar to the current Mustang,
the independent, unequal-length-control-arm front suspension system from the
FR500 Mustang project was grafted in after McLaren fabricated a new tube
chassis. Then, a modified SVT Cobra Independent Rear Suspension (IRS) replaced
the original F-100 solid rear axle.
To
demonstrate the versatility of the new 5.0 “Cammer”, this crate engine’s
naturally aspirated intake system was replaced with a prototype supercharger
setup, complete with SVT’s Eaton Gen IV Roots-type blower and a top-mounted
intercooler. While the project team had not been able to dyno-test this
breathed-upon “Cammer” before its SEMA debut, power output is expected to reach
600 horsepower and 500 ft.-lbs. of torque. FRPP is planning to offer a
Supercharged version of the 5.0-liter “Cammer” crate engine sometime in 2005.
Outside,
extensive bodywork was undertaken fitting of a show vehicle, and the
well-finessed sheet metal was eventually sprayed with PPG-supplied “UPS Brown”
Tinted Clearcoat. Dennis Carpenter of Ford Reproductions supplied the running
boards, door handles and hinges, window mechanicals, parking lamps, taillamps,
and all the bright trim and bezels. UPS provided authentic decals, just as you
would find on their delivery trucks, to help complete the look. In fact, the
Ford Racing FR100 Panel Truck has been officially certified as part of the UPS
fleet, with vehicle number 019530.
Special
touches were incorporated inside the truck as well, including a brand-new
prototype dash panel with retro-style Ford Racing Masterpiece gauges, Ford
Racing tach driver, a Mustang tilt column, Kugel Komponents’ 90° Swing Pedal
Brake Assembly, and an F-100 Gen II SureFit air-conditioning system from Vintage
Air.
Completing the special
“Cammer” crate engine powertrain are custom headers and a true dual-exhaust
system, a Tremec T56 6-speed manual transmission with a prototype Ford Racing
shifter, Centerforce clutch and a custom driveshaft. A Brembo Cobra disc brake
package was fitted at each corner to stop the 18-inch BBS wheels and Goodyear
Eagle F1 Supercar tires.
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