This 1-of-1 1964 Ford F-100 427 Is the Factory Drag Truck You Never Knew Existed

Essentially a midsize Fairlane stuffed with the 427-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) V8 offered in full-size cars, the Thunderbolt dominated the 1964 NHRA Winternationals and won the Top Stock crown. But I bet you didn't know Ford also produced a pickup truck equivalent.

High-performance pickup trucks have been a thing since the late 1980s, but automakers still treated them like workhorses back in the 1960s. But in 1964, just as the Thunderbolt hit the drag racing scene, Ford put together a drag-ready F-100 pickup truck to showcase at the US Nationals in Indianapolis.

The hauler was built by Dearborn Steel Tubing, the same company that turned Fairlanes into Thunderbolts. Ford initially planned to offer the race-spec F-100 to customers, but the plan was canceled after the truck suffered a catastrophic failure and couldn't compete at the Nationals. Vehicles like these are usually scrapped, but the F-100 got lucky and survived to tell its story.

The story goes the pickup was purchased by a gentleman who had ordered a Thunderbolt. Knowing he was a farmer, a dealer told him he had a drag-spec truck without a drivetrain. He managed to buy it and even got a title for the vehicle, which reportedly upset Ford.

The F-100 went off the radar shortly after. Hidden on the owner's farm, it remained in storage until the 2000s. That's when the owner commissioned a friend to install a drivetrain and prepare it for specialty shows. The owner has since passed away, and his friend has become the truck's caretaker.

Spotted at the 2024 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals (MCACN), the F100 is pretty much a time capsule. It still sports the original cream livery and the red 1963 Ford Falcon interior it got from the factory. The paint was retouched, while the seats were wrapped in clear covers for protection. Needless to say, both look fantastic, given their age. Like a proper dragster, it rides on fat rear tires and features side-exiting exhaust pipes and "B/FX" (for Factory Experimental) markings on the front fenders.

Of course, the truck no longer has the original drivetrain, but it packs a 1963 low-riser 427-cubic-inch V8. The vehicle retains the original air cleaner and other items in the engine bay. Originally fitted with a four-speed T10 manual, the truck now has an automatic gearbox.

How fast is this truck? Well, it hasn't been raced, so it remains a mystery, but that V8 is rated at 425 horsepower, so I'm pretty sure it's a hoot to drive. It should also keep up with most muscle cars from the era despite the extra weight.

Unfortunately, the video below doesn't show the truck running, but the owner provides a walkaround and tells the story of this fabulous hauler. It's one of those one-of-one gems that should be displayed in a museum, so go ahead and check it out.