Ford F-100 Is a Lean, Mean Street Machine
Packing a built 351W and timeless looks, this classic F-100 has all the makings of a proper cruiser.
These days, we tend to think of trucks mostly as off-road vehicles. Four-wheel drive has exploded in popularity, whereas just a few decades ago no one wanted it. In fact, back in the ’60s, most people preferred their trucks in more of a hot rod configuration. Maybe it was the muscle car era that got to them, or maybe they just loved to burn up rear tires. But this 1968 Ford F-100 is a perfect representation of that era’s typical muscle truck/street machine.
We spotted the truck over at The Collector Car Network, where its solid body and menacing appearance spoke to us. The no frills, all business exterior is the right color, it has the right stance, and it sports proper wheels. You won’t find a bunch of frivolous, unnecessary stuff on the outside. Well, except maybe for that peculiar hood scoop. But then again, that tacked-on item hints as to what lurks under the hood.
And that’s perhaps the best part about this old F-100 – a built 351 Windsor. Bored 0.040 over, the beefy engine is packed with TRW forged aluminum pistons, a hot cam, and shaved heads. There’s also an upgraded timing chain and gears, high flow oil pump, and Demon carb on this laundry list of goodies. With 10:1 compression and only 7,000 break in miles on it, this hot V8 is ready to convert those meaty rear tires to molten rubber in no time.
The owner did choose a pretty conservative 3.00 rear gear ratio, but that’s an easy fix if you desire. Or, stick with the higher gears and enjoy some easy highway cruising. There’s still more than enough power to light ’em up. And with a 3-speed automatic transmission, you don’t have to worry about burning up clutches in the process. Which means more time cruising in your street machine F-100, and less time fixing it!
