1966 F-100 Gets Inspiration from Boss Mustang
Daily Slideshow: Combining the best of both worlds, this wild custom Ford F-100 packs a lot of Mustang DNA in its build.
Mustang + F-100
Performance trucks weren't really a thing until a couple of decades ago. Sure, there were plenty of factory customs in the '70s, and you could certainly opt for particular options that helped the cause. But we often ask ourselves, "what if Ford decided to build a hot rod pickup in the old days?" And we're guessing that if they did, it would look a lot like this wild 1966 F-100 recently featured over at Hot Rod.
Special Truck, Special Builder
But this isn't some wild creation conjured up by the folks at Blue Oval, of course. Instead, this F-100 was built by the folks at Swag Custom Rides in New Britain, Connecticut. What sets SCR apart from the rest of the custom car world, aside from their obvious talents, is the fact that they're a non-profit employing young men who have undergone "severe life-altering issues" at some point in their lives.
Best of Both Worlds
And that brings us to this amazing build. Swag decided to further its cause by building something that they could auction off, with the proceeds going to charity. And what better way to stand out in the crowded Barrett-Jackson sea than with a build that combines the best of the legendary Boss Mustang with a classic Ford F-100?
Boss Performance
The first step was to source a Ford Performance 5.0-liter crate engine and fit it with a Roush supercharger. This combo was good for a stout 750 hp, which helps the truck live up to its Boss name. That power is fed through a 4L60E automatic transmission back to a 9-inch rear end fitted with 3.73 gears.
Body Massage
Much of the custom work on this old F-100 was performed on the body, of course. In addition to the typical rust and dent repair, there are loads of unique touches everywhere you look. The front fascia alone took countless hours to complete, but now its 1970 Mustang-inspired looks are evident to any onlooker.
Perfect Blend
There are some actual Mustang parts at play here as well. The lower valance came from a 1969 Mustang and was modified so that it would fit the truck perfectly. Mustang taillights were also fitted to the tailgate, which really completes the pony car appearance.
One-Off
Altogether, roughly 1,000 hours went into the bodywork alone. Not a single drop of filler was used, which is equally impressive. Swag then mixed up its own custom blend of PPG hues to lay down the one-off red metallic base color and grey metallic stripes.
Low Slung
To make sure this old F-100 handled like a pony car, Swag dialed up The Roadster Shop and commissioned a custom laser-cut chassis for the build. It all rides on an adjustable air ride suspension that allows the future owner to lay out the big body truck whenever they feel so inclined.
Old But New
The interior is every bit as stunning as the exterior, and also features a host of Boss Mustang influences. But you certainly couldn't get custom leather buckets, Dakota Digital gauges, or climate controls handled through an iPad back in 1970.
Crowd Pleaser
The team at Swag put this entire truck together in just four months - an incredible feat given the depth of work that went into it. But even though the truck came into existence and went to the home of a new owner in such a short period of time, we don't doubt that it's going to wow crowds for years to come.
For help with service of your vehicle, check out the how to section of Ford-Trucks.com