1965 Ford F-100

Description

Old enough to be unique, but not so old that it has crossed over into the realm of geriatric antique, this 1965 Ford F100 packs a thundering 460 under its hood, and if you like orange (who doesn't?) this truck will easily satisfy your craving for attention.

We'll just get the obvious out of the way first-this is NOT a subtle vehicle. Screaming orange probably wasn't on the Ford color charts in 1965, but nobody will argue with the guy who owns this gorgeous hauler. The body on this F100 is sharply detailed, with that crease that jags across the sides looking laser-sharp in contrast, and the doors fit so well that they close with just a gentle push. Great gloss and a lot of depth make this truck stand out in a crowded show field and there's not a single square inch that hasn't been bathed in the brilliant hue, so you know it was fully disassembled during the build. All the chrome and trim was treated to either a polish job or a trip to the chrome shop, adding to the bright, clean look.

The black interior is a nice contrast to the orange body, and shows a little flair that's picked up by the door panels that show a bit of tuck-and-roll. The vinyl-covered bench seat is in great shape with no splits or tears, and when you're perched up there, you have a commanding view of the road. The dashboard is basic, but all the original gauges are fully functional, and there are auxiliary gauges under the dash to keep an eye on the big block up front, plus a column-mounted tach. A slick Lokar shifter does a decent impersonation of the original floor shifter and takes you back to another era-when was the last time you drove such a vehicle? The only other obvious upgrade is a modern AM/FM/CD radio, which probably replaces an AM setup that was the height of truck entertainment in 1965. Still, this one remains a functional truck, so the floors are covered in rubber mats that make sweeping out the passenger compartment painless.

Power comes from a brutal 460 cubic inch V8. The big block makes incredible torque and is surprisingly smooth for a truck engine, and with a gear drive for the camshaft, it has that distinctive sound that will strike fear into lesser vehicles. A Holley 4-barrel carb and Edelbrock intake handle the fuel side, with long-tube headers and Flowmasters managing the exhaust. It's planted in a clean, well-maintained engine bay, and wears a coat of matching orange paint for a cool monochromatic effect. A C6 3-speed automatic feeds the original rear, so it's still up for hauling gear or you race car on a trailer like all trucks should. The front suspension is Ford's indestructible twin I-beam setup, which was living under pickups until 1997, and rolling stock consists of slick aluminum American Racing wheels and 245/60/15 BFG radials.

Still handsome with plenty of style, this F100 is an astoundingly quick piece of old iron that will bring a smile to people's faces when they see it. Go ahead and put it to work, even if only on weekends at the local Home Depot. Call today!