Old Trucks Sell for Big Bucks at Barrett-Jackson Auction

By: Larry Edsall

Don’t ever expect to get the sort of money commanded by a Model J Duesenberg – three of the rare and valued motor cars were offered at the annual collector car auctions here in Arizona in January and each brought at least a million dollars – but don't be surprised, either, to learn that pickup trucks are collectible and were offered not only under the big Barrett-Jackson tent, not only among the American muscle and European sports cars at Russo and Steele, but right there with the expensive classics at the high-end RM Auction.

"The pickup has universal appeal," said Steve Davis, president of the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company. "We have pickups every year."

Long before he went to work for Barrett-Jackson, Davis was an auction customer, both consigning vehicles he'd restored or modified and buying completed cars. He also led the effort to have collectible vehicles exempted from California's strict emission regulations, thus saving perhaps thousands of classics from being destroyed.



"One of my first major vehicles was a '56 F100 that I put a 427 into," Davis said. "I built one for my father-in-law, too."

"Pickup trucks are collectible in the degree they push the same buttons [as collector cars]," said Drew Alcazar, founder of the Russo and Steele auction. "They are reminiscent of an era that collectors want to recapture."

"We always sprinkle in a few," Alcazar continued. "It's a much narrower market in focus, though lots of guys with car collections also have a collectible pickup truck. 'That's my parts-getter,' they'll tell you."

"A lot of car collectors have a customized pickup to haul their trailers," adds Barrett-Jackson's Davis. "They may have their company [or collection's] name on the door."



"A pickup guy is a guy who loves cars but also loves pickups for the utilitarian vehicle it really is. For customization, it's almost a blank canvas to trick out any way you want, with aftermarket parts or reproduction parts."

Because of their size and architecture, Davis adds that it can be easier to do customized modifications on a pickup, whether it's powertrain, suspension, electronics or "cool" interiors.

For its docket, Davis said Barrett-Jackson looks for pickup trucks that have been well maintained, have low miles, lots of options and accessories, or that have been properly restored.





"Ford F100s are the first things that come to mind," he said when asked which trucks he considers collectible. "The early Chevrolets, the 1940s and '50s are absolutely collectible. Studebaker. Hudson Terraplane."

"And now you're seeing more and more guys appreciating the style and using those blank canvases. There are massive engine bays for a trick engine. A place of trick electronics. You can do some really cool stuff with the bed. I think we’ll see more of that in the future. You see it at SEMA."

Russo and Steele's Alcazar adds late 1960s Chevy Cheyennes to the collectible list, and notes that many people are starting to do "well-done, almost concours restorations" on such trucks.



Davis and Alcazar agree that pickups should not be considered entry-level collector vehicles. Davis notes that more people are looking for pickups, but that they still can be considered a bargain when compared, say, with cars of the same era. For example, he said, a mid-'50s Ford or Chevy pickup is going to be a lot less expensive than a '57 Thunderbird or, say, a '57 Chevy Bel Air.

He also notes there are still lots of rust-free 40 and 50-year-old pickup trucks just waiting to be restored.

A sampling of pickups available at Barrett-Jackson included:

1960 Morris Minor (sold for $26,000)
House of Color purple 1956 Ford C7650 custom cab-over ($67,000)
Highly customized, silver over black 1957 Chevy Step-side ($65,000)
1961 Studebaker Champ ($24,000)
1948 Studebaker M5 ($34,000)
1941 Chevy pickup ($27,000)
Customized 1939 Studebaker built on a Chevy S-10 chassis ($28,000)
Multi-colored and customized 1955 Chevy 3100 ($38,000)
Wonderfully restored 1940 Chevrolet K10 ($35,000)
Mildly customized 1952 Ford Custom ($45,000)
1956 Ford F-150 with a Chevy LS1 engine ($75,000)
1935 Ford half-ton just 50 miles after restoration ($26,000)
1939 Hudson Big Boy ($34,000)
1957 Chevrolet Cameo ($38,000)
Pale blue 1961 Chevy 3100 ($46,000)



And, in the showcase tent where vehicles were available for sale, an orange and black a Hemi-powered 1957 Dodge Sweptside (marked down from $78,000 to $60,000)

Alcazar’s auction included these, among others (prices were not available):

1947 Studebaker Coupe Express
1939 Ford
1957 GMC 100-8
1956 Ford F-100
1957 GMC Stepside
1951 Ford Stepside



RM offered four pickups:

1948 Mercury M47 ($49,500)
1952 Ford F1 ($29,700)
1957 Chevrolet 3100 ($49,500)
1941 Dodge WC. ($34,100)

Also at RM was a truck that Alcazar liked a lot, would love to add to his own collection of exotic vehicles – Shelbys, Vipers, Lamborghinis and such.

"I wish I could get to RM to bid on that Shelby truck," Alcazar said, knowing that the event’s timing conflicted with his own auction.

The object of Alcazar's affection was a 1966 Ford CS500 Super Duty that the Shelby American racing team used to tow a trailer containing its racecars. The truck since has been converted to a flatbed – the bed just the right size to carry a Shelby Cobra.

First Look: 2008 Ford FG Falcon Ute

By: James Stanford



Ford has revealed its most powerful ute yet in Melbourne, Australia.

The FG Falcon Ute will be available with four different engines including a 388-hp quad-cam Boss V8 and fast-spinning turbo in-line six-cylinder pumping out 362-hp.

Ford's new model takes on Holden's VE Ute, which is expected to go on sale in the US soon as the Pontiac G8 ST.

Unfortunately for Blue Oval fans in the US, Ford Australia insiders have told PickupTruck.com that Ford US has no plan to take the FG Ute at this stage. While the FG was initially designed with an export deal in mind, it would still take substantial engineering work to enable the car to pass US regulations.



The Falcon Ute's six-cylinder engine would need to be re-engineered for the US, which is unlikely seeing that Ford Australia will replace that engine with a US-sourced V6 in 2010.

Success of the Holden-sourced Pontiac Ute could change things, but developing a left-hand-drive version of the Falcon hauler would also take at least two years.

Ford's FG Ute competes with the Holden VE Ute in many ways, but they are quite different vehicles.

While the VE has an independent rear suspension set-up for sportier driving, the Falcon Ute uses leaf-springs for greater load capacity. The FG Falcon Ute can haul between 1,264-lbs and 2,733-lbs depending on the model, while the VE manages between 1,120-lbs and 1,706-lbs.

The new Ford can tow up to 5,070-lbs, while the Holden's towing limit is 3,527-lbs.



Ford's FG Ute is available with a 'style-side' tub or as a cab-chassis with a flat load tray.

The base engine is a 4.0-liter in-line six-cylinder with dual-overhead camshafts generating 261-hp and 288 lb-ft. Available with a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic, the I6 powers the base Ute, the R6 and XR6 models.

A dedicated LPG version, called E-Gas, can be optioned.

In 2004, Ford Australia decided to strap a turbo on top of the smooth petrol engine and came up with a true cult motor.

For the FG XR6 Turbo Ute, it has been substantially upgraded with new turbo, intercooler and cylinder head, while the boost has been wound up from 0.4 bar to 0.7 bar (6-psi to 10-psi).



It manages a respectable 362-hp, but the real story is the torque total of 393 lb-ft which is available from as low as 2,000-rpm all the way through to 4,750-rpm. With a torque curve as flat as a pool table, the turbo six FG Utes are expected to be quicker than the more powerful V8 models, although no sprint times have been released yet.

Ford has also engineered a clever anti-lag launch feature for manual turbo Utes. When a vehicle is stationary, the clutch is fully disengaged and throttle is applied engine speed is limited to 3500-rpm by cutting fuel.

After a short delay, the turbo spools up with 80% cool air which is pumped by the cylinders that have been de-activated. When the clutch is released all cylinders are reactivated and the car launches on boost, enabling quicker starts.



It also means turbo six drivers don't have to burn-out clutches attempting to slip them in order to spool up the turbo off the line.

The XR8 Ute runs a Boss 290 V8, with the 290 standing for the kW produced (389-hp). It's hand-assembled by Ford Performance Vehicles in Melbourne, using Cobra R cast aluminum heads, forged steel crankshafts, high lift inlet camshafts and a 75-mm throttle body with drive-by-wire linkage. Peak torque is 384 lb-ft and comes in at 4,750-rpm.



Both the Boss V8 and turbo six engines are available with either a six-speed manual or ZF six-speed automatic, which is also used by Bentley, BMW and Maserati.

Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) will release even more potent versions of the FG Ute around the middle of the year. FPV won't discuss power outputs, but they are tipped to rise to around 428-hp for a V8 version and about 389-hp for the turbo.

Ford has announced the FPV models will come standard with electronic stability control, but the potentially life saving feature won't be available for the rest of the Ford Ute models at launch because Bosch is still calibrating the systems.



It is not yet clear whether electronic stability control (ESC) will be standard across the range, as it is with the VE Ute. Bosch is in the final stages of developing it and it should be added soon after the launch. The FPV (higher-performance versions) utes will have ESC as standard when they launch in a few months.

Driver and passenger front airbags are standard, but just like the VE, no side airbags are available. Head-protecting side airbags will be optional for all FG Falcon Utes.

The FG Falcon Ute sits on a longer wheelbase than its sedan sibling, which allows for a good tray length of between 72.5-inches (flat load tray) and 87-inches (styleside) and also helps with towing stability.

Its leaf-springs might be a blast from the past, but the front suspension is a new double wishbone design with two lower ball-joints. It's the same setup found on the Australian Territory SUV, which has set new standards for handling in its class.



Wheels for the entry level Ute, simply called Falcon Ute, are 16-inches and made of steel, while the rest are alloys, ranging in size from 17-inch to optional 19s.

The FG Ute also has an all-new interior which features a new 7-inch information display in the centre of the dashboard.

Future Truck: 2012 Ford F-150

By: Mark Levine



Since we did a pretty good job back in January 2007 figuring out what the 2009 Ford F-150 would look like (well, at least one of the versions), we're taking out our crystal ball again (Mark, you sure you're ok in there?) for a speculative look ahead at the next F-150.

While there are major changes and upgrades, the 2009 Ford F-150 isn't an all new truck. It's more like a strong kick-off to a three year journey that will totally transform America's best selling vehicle by the time the next-generation 2012 F-150 arrives.

The latest rumors and official information say the F-150 will receive three new engines by 2010 - a twin turbo 3.7-liter V6 EcoBoost gasoline direct injection (GDI) motor, a 6.2-liter naturally aspirated "BOSS" V8, and a 4.4-liter V8 diesel. When these engines arrive, we're expecting the legacy two- and three-valve 4.6-liter gas V8s will be retired.

Think the 2009 Ford F-150 has a taller hood just to make the truck look tougher? Nope, there's also a brawny new twin turbo version of the BOSS V8 on the way by 2011 that's going to need all the space it can get to accommodate its taller profile.



The promise of these new gas and diesel engines is improved performance and fuel economy. But engines aren't going to be enough to put the F-150 on the right trajectory to hit the tough new corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) law, which mandates a fleet wide vehicle average of 35-miles-per-gallon by 2020.

Ford's North American design director, Peter Horbury, told Automotive News that the F-150 design team is also trying to figure out how to make the truck more aerodynamic - including "active aerodynamic elements" that work while the truck is moving and a laid back A-pillar, similar to the current Nissan Titan.

The results of all these prognostications are the sleek renderings you see on this page.

The 2012 F-150 will have all-new sheetmetal, and we're expecting major changes to the frame for weight savings and manufacturing flexibility (more on this item another time).

Note the vents on the top of the hood in the lower picture, to help cool the twin turbo EcoBoost BOSS V8. We also expect an automatic retractable tonneau cover to help smooth airflow over the bed, particularly when the cargo box is empty.

Ford says F-150 buyers want their trucks to look tough. It's the reason why the company strengthened the exterior of the 2004 F-150 when it moved on from the 1996-2003 model. Will swoopy aerodynamics and fuel economy regulations trump "toughness"?

A Decade of Ford Harley-Davidson F-Trucks: Born in Detroit, Dressed in Milwaukee

Posted by Mike Levine | February 9, 2009

Words By: John Stewart, Photography courtesy of Ford Motor Company

In the Beginning….

It was in the fall of1999 that Ford and Harley-Davidson revealed a plan to join forces, but the first fruits of the alliance didn’t arrive until February 2000, in the form of a black SuperCab F-150. The first 2000 Limited Edition Harley-Davidson pickup came with a Flareside box, a hard tonneau cover, orange pinstripes, extra chrome on the grille and brightwork, and an MSRP of $32,995. Like the Model T, you could get it in any color, so long as it was black. Production plans called for up to 7,500 units to be built at Ford’s Ontario truck plant in Canada. In fact, 8,000 were produced, and all were sold.

Project manager George Magro said the model was “the first of more exciting products to come.” Almost 10 years later, the alliance is still in force, and Ford is still building Limited Edition Harley-Davidson pickups.

2000: 20-Inch Wheels



That first Harley-Davidson F-150 had a 260-horsepower, SOHC Triton 5.4-liter V-8, plus a dual-outlet/single-inlet exhaust borrowed from the Lightning. It didn’t make more power than a standard 5.4-liter V-8, but it sure sounded better. With a 3.55 limited-slip rear end and a four-speed automatic, the truck went from zero to 60 in 8.02 seconds. It was EPA-rated at 15/19 mpg, which adjusts to 13/18 using the EPA’s new guidelines. That’s still not much different from the F-150 of today.

The original Harley/Ford pickup was also notable for offering the first 20-inch wheels ever on a Ford production vehicle -- chrome cast-aluminum wheels in a five-spoke design, shod with P275/45R Goodyear Eagle GTII tires. At the time, one journalist called it “without question, the best-handling full-size truck Ford manufactures.”

2001: Four Doors and Four Chairs



First shown in August 2000 at the Sturgis motorcycle rally, the 2001 Harley-Davidson F-150 got two more doors. Instead of the suicide door access-panel arrangement that the 2000 SuperCab got, the second edition was available in SuperCrew configuration, with four real doors and bucket seats in front and back.

The all-black truck was offered with Harley-Davidson visual cues, including orange and gray rocker panel pinstripes and chrome accessories. It was essentially a restyled, customized version of Ford's 2000 F-150 SuperCrew truck. The badging and trim remained the same, the 20-inch wheels and dual-outlet exhaust were retained, and the Triton 5.4-liter V-8 powertrain carried over with no changes.

Inside, the limited-edition 2001 Harley-Davidson F-150 SuperCrew kept the famous look of black leather and chrome accessories, including the "spun metal" instrument cluster and jewel ornaments, but with four black, leather-trimmed captain’s chairs with dual center consoles. There were Harley-Davidson Bar and Shield metal nameplates in the seatbacks, and Harley-Davidson identification embroidered on the console lids.

2002: Supercharged V-8



The big news for the 2002 Harley-Davidson F-150 was power -- lots of it, in the form of a supercharged version of the 5.4-liter Triton V-8. Horsepower jumped to 340 at 4,500 rpm, and torque was rated at 425 pounds-feet at 3,200 rpm -- all in an engine that readily met federal emissions standards of the day. Further enhancing the big, smoky burnout potential of the 2002 were 3.73 gears and a limited-slip differential. The four-speed automatic remained standard, and rear antilock brakes were added.

This was the third in the series of special editions. It was first shown Oct. 30, 2001, at the SEMA show, and it was driven at the 2001 Glendale, Calif., Love Ride a week later.

A new color, Dark Shadow Gray, joined black in the lineup. Flame pinstripes and chrome accessories were used to hint at power under the hood. The front end was fitted with a new upper chrome billet grille, clear-lens headlamps and clear-lens parking lamps embossed with the H-D Bar and Shield. Wheels remained at the 20x9-inch size, but an exposed-rivet design surrounded the center of the wheels, with complementing Harley-Davidson center caps. As in the past, the 2002 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 SuperCrew was lowered an inch, and a tuned exhaust system with a single inlet/dual outlet muffler ended in chrome "slash cut" exhaust tips. Ford and Harley-Davidson badging was used on the quarter panel and tailgate of the truck.

The interior of the 2002 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 SuperCrew featured a console embossed with flames, plus four captain’s chairs upholstered with perforated two-tone leather and Bar and Shield metal nameplates in the seatbacks. The interior also became more luxurious, with features like brushed stainless steel pedals, Homelink and TravelNote, automatic climate control and heated front seats. Optional equipment included a six-disc CD changer, a sliding rear window, an engine block heater, a moonroof and a bed extender.

Manufacturing continued at Ford’s Kansas City, Mo., assembly plant, and the build plan was expanded to production of “no more than” 12,000 units. When the truck arrived in dealer showrooms in early 2002, it carried a base MSRP of $36,495.

2003: Back in Black … and Silver



In 2003, both Harley-Davidson and Ford marked their 100-year birthdays, and they did so by producing another special edition. The truck was unveiled in September 2002 at the California Speedway as part of a 10-city road tour hosted by Harley-Davidson.

Even given the centennials, the 2003 special edition was largely a carryover model from 2002, freshened with a few key changes. It continued to be available in black, but for 2003 an optional two-tone paint job, black over silver, was available. There were body-colored bumpers, a new front valance with fog lamps, and clear-lens headlamps. Chrome pieces included a barred upper grille and tie-down hooks. A specially created “100th Anniversary” nameplate was added to the fender and tailgate of the 2003 model. Inside, the anniversary nameplate was used on the console lid, and two-tone leather captain’s chairs sported the Bar and Shield. As before, the production plan included up to 12,000 units to be made in the Kansas City assembly plant, with the MSRP set at $37,295.

2004: Heavy Metal



By early 2004, sales were approaching 40,000 in total, and the alliance seemed to be productive for both parties. In the first four years, the companies had introduced the 2000 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 SuperCab, the 2001 Ford Harley-Davidson SuperCrew, and 2002 and 2003 Supercharged Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 SuperCrew models.

For 2004, the fifth Harley-Davidson special edition Ford was a larger-than-life Super Duty, taking a step away from the street/sport versions of the past and into heavy-duty 4x4 territory.

Available as an F-250 or F-350 SuperCab or crew cab, the limited-edition 4x4 model hit showrooms in early February 2004, with more than 90 percent of customers ordering crew cab models powered by Ford's 6.0-liter Power Stroke diesel engine. Backed by an electronic five-speed auto, the 6.0-liter diesel mill was rated at 325 hp at 3,300 rpm and 560 pounds-feet of torque at 1,600 rpm.

The Ford Harley-Davidson Super Duty package had unique exterior colors and styling cues. Available in Black/Competition Orange or Black/Dark Shadow Gray two-tone versions, or an all-black monochrome one, the truck had an engine decal, chrome exhaust tip and a chrome tubular step bar with the Bar and Shield logo insert.

For the Super Duty, 18-inch forged aluminum wheels were substituted for the 20-inch F-150 wheels, and LT275/65R18E all-terrain black sidewall tires were chosen. Four-wheel antilock brakes were standard.

"Harley-Davidson F-Series Super Duty" badges were added to the front fender and tailgate. All told, Ford went heavy on the Harley badging, with emblems or logos appearing on the owner’s guide, keys, all the seats, the floormats, tape stripe, step bar, wheel center caps and on the windshield, where a Bar and Shield dot pattern was used. On the inside, the carpet, door-trim inserts and steering wheel were all ebony black, and even the floormats were made of black molded rubber. The instrument cluster had the "spun metal" face consistent with previous editions.

2005: Flames and V-10 Power



The next year brought a new look inside and out, as the 2005 Harley-Davidson Super Duty became the sixth truck in the line of special editions. As always, black dominated the color palette, but now there were three appearance packages, including two new flamed paint schemes -- the first factory-flamed trucks in the industry. The front sported a unique black-and-chrome billet-style grille and blacked-out headlamps. Chrome tow hooks and fog lamps added gleaming pinpoints to the front end.

This time around, the Ford Harley-Davidson Super Duty was available in F-250 and F-350 4x4 configurations, with either the 6.0-liter Power Stroke turbodiesel engine or a 6.8-liter Triton V-10. The gas V-10 was fitted with three-valve heads, allowing it to make 355 hp and 455 pounds-feet of torque. The 6.0-liter diesel power plant had been upgraded to 570 pounds-feet of torque, an improvement of 10 pounds-feet. Both engines were backed by Ford’s five-speed TorqShift automatic.

Twenty-inch wheels, previously not seen in the heavy-duty pickup segment, were brightly polished forged aluminum with logo-enhanced center caps and locking chrome lug nuts. Between the wheel wells, the tubular chrome step bar with a Bar and Shield logo was altered by adding a blackout backing for a cleaner, more integrated appearance.

The custom flame paint treatment -- in Toreador Red on Black or True Blue with Medium Wedgewood Blue -- was created using a new wet-on-wet paint process to produce factory-painted graphics as smooth and seamless as those applied in a custom motorcycle shop. The flame design was drawn freehand by Harley-Davidson stylist Ray Drea directly on an early prototype, and digitized templates were pulled from his artwork.

The standard Ford Harley-Davidson Super Duty package pairs black exterior paint with a thin, Harley-Orange tape stripe that extends all the way around the vehicle.

Heavyweight zinc die-cast metal badges mark the Ford Harley-Davidson alliance, and a large Harley-Davidson Bar and Shield logo dominates the standard rubber bed mat. Chrome tie-down hooks and a bullet-style welded-on chrome exhaust tip, with repeat round-millcut texture to match the wheel design, enhance the rear of the vehicle. The interior has stitched two-tone black-leather seats with the usual logo, with Dark Flint door panels -- an extra-black tone to make the interior darker than a standard Super Duty. The door inserts and instrument panel have an appliqué feature that looks like carbon fiber but is made from hundreds of tiny Bar and Shield logos in a repeating pattern.

Most touch points, including the power seat controls, are chrome. The brake and accelerator pedals resemble the chrome-and-black footboards of a custom big V-twin cruiser. The ignition key has a Bar and Shield logo on one side and a Ford oval on the other.

A nickel plate on the center console marks the production date and number of each unit.
Production began in the fourth quarter of 2004, with the F-250 base price at $41,040 and the F-350 coming in at $41,815

2006: All-Wheel Drive and More



Big wheels were the thing in 2006, so the Harley-Davidson F-150 got 22-inch forged aluminum wheels, polished and fitted with a Bar and Shield center cap. The new wheels -- the biggest ever offered on a production F-150 -- were exclusive to the H-D F-150 that year.

Based on a SuperCab with Styleside box, the F-150 exterior also featured a unique billet grille and blacked-out headlamps. Smoked taillights, a blacked-out bumper and a "Harley-Davidson F-150" badge distinguish the rear. Chrome side tubes and a dropped front chin spoiler help create a lowered look. Chrome tie-down hooks and a slash-cut chrome exhaust tip add street-custom appeal.

The monochrome exterior design, accented with a scalloped red stripe outlined in electric blue along the beltline, is complemented by a dramatic high-gloss Piano Black interior, with black aniline leather seating surfaces and chrome accents sprinkled liberally throughout the cabin. Every HD F-150 had a serialized nickel plate showing the vehicle's production date and number. At the time, Ford president Steve Lyons described it as “an interior that will take your breath away.”

In another first for the F-150, an all-wheel-drive version was offered along with the previously offered 2WD HD edition. Under the hood was a 5.4-liter, three-valve Triton V-8 fitted with an exhaust system tuned to make the right growl. It turned out 300 hp at 5,000 rpm and 365 pounds-feet of torque at 3,750 rpm.

The 2006 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 SuperCab was the seventh model to emerge from the alliance forged in 1999. By 2006, the collaboration between the two companies had produced four F-150 models, as well as Super Duty F-250 and F-350 offerings.

2007: Harley-Davidson F-150 SuperCrew and Saleen Power



Ford began building the 2007 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 Super Crew trucks beginning in September 2006 at Ford's Dearborn, Mich., truck plant, which had been newly renovated to the highest standards.

After the brilliant redesign of 2006, for the first time since 2004 a supercharged F-150 returned. The 2007 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 had a twin-screw, Saleen-sourced blower cranking 450-hp and 500 lbs.-ft. of torque. A new Dark Amethyst exterior color was added, but the previous formula combining high-gloss Piano Black interior details with black aniline leather seating surfaces held true. As before, the interior featured a display of chrome, including unique chrome-ringed instruments, chrome handles, vent rings, floor shifter and door pulls.

Ford continued to offer the F-150 as a 4x2 or with all-wheel-drive capability.

The 2007 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 SuperCrew was considered the ninth model offered since 1999, counting six F-150s and the Super Duty F-250 and F-350 editions.

In addition to the 2007 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 SuperCrew and other vehicles in the Ford/Harley-Davidson truck lineup, the companies' alliance produced other products, such as co-branded clothing and vehicle accessories.

2008: Two-Tone Paint and Heavy Metal



In 2008, both Ford and Harley-Davidson celebrated their 105th anniversary. The 10th limited edition truck had two color schemes -- monochrome black with striping, or black and copper, a design drawn from the special edition 105th anniversary Harley-Davidson motorcycle with Vintage Copper paint. The 300-hp, 5.4-liter V-8 was the standard power plant on both 2WD and 4WD F-150s. The Saleen supercharged V-8 was available again in a 2WD Harley-Davidson Edition F-150. The Saleen package also included minor instrumentation upgrades, such as a boost gauge and a gauge to monitor charge-air temperatures.

Super-Duty Harley-Davidson editions were also offered as 2008 models, sharing the same design with the F-150 but powered by the 6.4-liter Power Stroke diesel. The 2008 Ford Harley-Davidson Super Duty offered the same: a choice of black monochromatic exterior paint with a custom Vintage Copper stripe running along the beltline, or a black and Vintage Copper two-tone paint scheme. A chrome, billet-style grille with body-colored surround was used, along with illuminated running boards, chrome exhaust tips, and a rubber bed mat with the Harley-Davidson logo. A special “105th Anniversary Harley-Davidson F-Series Super Duty” badge adorns the exterior and interior of the truck.

“The design of the side vent and grille on the Super Duty represents the heat fins on a cylinder head of a Harley-Davidson V-Twin engine,” said Brad Richards, design manager, Ford Harley-Davidson trucks.

The Vintage Copper color accents are carried through the interior as well, accenting specially designed leather seats. A unique instrument cluster and a one-of-a-kind “105th Anniversary” badge can be found inside, along with black-and-dusted-copper leather captain’s chairs. Optional was a 60/40 split rear bench with a Bar and Shield logo mounted to the top of the backseat. The truck was packaged with a high level of standard equipment, including a power-sliding rear window, memory power-adjustable pedals and heated front seats.

According to Ford press releases, the 2008 Ford Harley-Davidson F-Series Super Duty was the 11th Harley-Davidson model. By 2008, the co-branding of the two storied companies had resulted in sales totaling more than 60,000 Harley-Davidson edition pickup trucks.

2009: Heroic Proportions



For the first time, Harley-Davidson branding has been extended to Ford’s toughest pickup, the 2009 F-450 Super Duty. The F-450 has 6.4-liter Powerstroke V-8 diesel power and blue flames running from the side vents all the way to the box side of the truck.

As with the still-available F-250/350 single-rear-wheel models, each individually numbered Harley-Davidson F-450’s flame design scheme is carried through to the interior gauges in the instrument panel. The perforated black-leather-wrapped seats, door panels and center console cover reveal blue leather underneath, giving the same blue-flame effect as the exterior. Harley-Davidson badges are present on the fenders and tailgate, along with "Harley-Davidson" script on the box side.

2010: Meet The Latest Addition To the Harley F-Truck Family



New for the 2010 model year is the 14th Ford Harley-Davidson F-Truck, based on the 2009 F-150. It debuted at the 2009 Chicago auto show.