Sam Walton’s Pickup Recreated by Jay Leno, Walmart Using 2021 F-150

One of the most famous Ford trucks of all-time gets a modern redo using the all-new 2021 F-150.

In the illustrious history of the Ford F-150, few pickups are as famous or instantly recognizable as Sam Walton‘s 1979 F-150. The founder of Walmart was forever linked to his red pickup, which he famously drove until the day he died, refusing to upgrade to anything fancier or newer, in spite of his tremendous financial success. Today, that pickup remains on display at the Walmart Heritage Museum in Bentonville, Arkansas, but the retailing giant and Jay Leno have created a modern tribute using a 2021 F-150.

The overall look of this tribute 2021 F-150 is fairly familiar, given the fact that so many dealers are cranking out retro pickups these days. Leno started out with a fairly basic model with few frills, just as Sam would have chosen, then gave it a two-tone red and white finish. But the look is really capped off with a set of off-white steelie-style wheels wrapped in white-letter tires that look much like the 1979 pickup’s rolling stock.

Of course, a Sam Walton tribute truck wouldn’t be complete without a toolbox and that signature dog box in the bed, where the successful businessman hauled his best pals on hunting trips. There are a couple of notable differences between the 1979 and 2021 F-150 pickups, however.

Namely, the new truck is a SuperCab, while the old one is a regular cab. The 2021 also doesn’t have a chrome grille or bumpers like the original. But with 2021 F-150 production just beginning, perhaps Leno and Walmart just had to take what was available.

Regardless of semantics, we think this project is a very cool way to pay tribute to one of the most famous F-150s of all-time, as well as the humble man that owned and drove it every day.

When Walton was once asked why, in spite of his massive fortune, he continued to drive a pickup, he famously responded– “What am I supposed to haul my dogs around in, a Rolls-Royce?” And that tells you everything you need to know about the man himself, as well as the fact that Ford’s F-150 is both a man’s best friend and a reliable workhorse.

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Brett Foote

Brett Foote has been covering the automotive industry for over five years and is a longtime contributor to Internet Brands’ Auto Group sites, including Chevrolet Forum, Rennlist, and Ford Truck Enthusiasts, among other popular sites.

He has been an automotive enthusiast since the day he came into this world and rode home from the hospital in a first-gen Mustang, and he's been wrenching on them nearly as long.

In addition to his expertise writing about cars, trucks, motorcycles, and every other type of automobile, Brett had spent several years running parts for local auto dealerships.

You can follow along with his builds and various automotive shenanigans on Instagram: @bfoote.