(first posted 6/7/2017) I recently posted about the Indy 500 Official trucks, reviewing some of the different packages that manufacturers offered in the 1970’s and 1980s. One of those trucks stands out in my mind, the 1979 Ford Indianapolis Official trucks. This was the only year in that 11 year span that a GM truck wasn’t used for Indy 500 duties. Unlike the GM Indy trucks of the era, Ford actually produced a significant quantity of these trucks for the public. There is little written about these trucks, so I decided to write a more comprehensive peiece about these trucks, something I hope CC readers will enjoy.
Previous to 1979, Ford did offer some decal and trim packages on their pickup trucks, probably the most well-known being the 1977-79 Free Wheeling package. So when the Ford Mustang was chosen as the official pace car for the 1979 Indy 500, Ford took the opportunity to dress up their “Official Trucks” much like what GMC had been doing. The Free Wheeling package was used as the basis for the Indy official trucks.
Ford called the model option the Indianapolis Speedway Official Truck Package. It was available with regular cab styleside pickups with a short or long box. Model availability included the 2WD F-100, F-150, and F-250, and the 4×4 F-150, F-250 and F-350. The option package was only available on silver metallic Ford Ranger trucks. It was mostly a trim option and required some mandatory options. Standard equipment included large black decals for the sides of the truck with red and orange accent stripes. The grille, headlight bezels, and front bumper were all blacked out. The tailgate had the “FORD” letters in black with a bright orange rectangular surround. Also included were a spare tire lock, a black “GT” roll bar, and the “Official Truck” door lettering. Interestingly, the “Official Truck” door lettering decals were shipped loose in the truck and could be applied or not depending on the owners wishes.
Note the sport steering wheel, a recommended option.
The interior on these Indy trucks was basically lifted directly from the Free Wheeling Ford trucks that preceded them. The interior actually seemed to match these Indy trucks better than the Free Wheeling Fords, and was very similar to the exterior theme. The seats were black vinyl with silver inserts, trimmed with red piping and the door panels had the same colour combination. The dashboard was the same as the one used in the Ranger XLT. However, the woodgrain trim and woodgrain glovebox door were replaced with bright red trim and a black glove box door. Also included were a black headliner, sun visor and floor mat.
Ordering a Speedway package meant there were a number of mandatory options, beginning with the Ranger trim level. That said, the Speedway package deleted the Ranger’s bright wheel lip moldings, bright bodyside moldings and the hub caps. For F-100/F-150 2WD trucks, ten-hole forged aluminum wheels were a required option. The F-150 4×4’s had two-wheel options, a 10 hole forged aluminum wheel or the style steel wheels. Regardless, both trucks came with L78-15C raised white letter all terrain tires. The 4×4 F-150 could also select optional 10 x 15C tires. F-250/350 trucks used the same base wheels and tires of other F-250/350s, but could also get any of the optional wheels and tires available to other F-250/350s.
This was an era when a rear bumper didn’t come as standard equipment on pickups, and to order the Speedway truck you needed a rear bumper. Ford gave two options, a silver step bumper or a black contoured rear bumper. Also required was an auxiliary fuel tank, meaning all Speedway trucks have dual tanks.
A 4×4 Ford with the Speedway package.
Many of these Speedway trucks ended up being very well equipped for the era. Part of the reason may have been that Ford had numerous recommended options. Since these trucks were used by dealerships to draw customers into the show room, it made sense to have them equipped with all sorts of goodies. Ford recommended the following: AM/FM Stereo radio, Ammeter/Oil pressure gauges, Handling Package, Convenience Group, Light Group, Air Conditioning, Tinted Glass, low black “Western Mirrors”, CB Radio, Deluxe Seat belts, Power steering and brakes, Sport Steering Wheel, Goodyear brand tires, Deluxe wheel covers (F250/F350), and 9.50 x16.5 RWL tires (F250/350). All other Ford truck options were available on the Speedway trucks with the exception of any trim and wheel options that clashed with the Speedway trucks standard features or mandatory options.
This is a F-250 with the Speedway package.
Not only did Ford offer the official Speedway package on its pickups, but there was also the ability to by an Official wrecker replica. These F-350 trucks had decals to match the actual wreckers used at Indy. The trucks used at the actual race used Holmes wrecker units, but I don’t have any information about the replicas Ford sold to the public.
I would guess that the package likely recommended a particular wrecker unit that was the same as or similar to the actual race day trucks. It seems that the Official Wrecker package was basically just decals added to the truck and wrecker unit. The wreckers didn’t appear to get the blacked out trim or other unique features of the Speedway pickups.
The most produced variation of the Speedway trucks was the 2wd F-150, with a total of 4225 produced. Here is an orginal survivor 302 V8 powered F-150 found on eBay:
Most of the production numbers have been documented through Marti Auto Works reports. Production breakdown is as follows:
| Truck Model | Production |
| F-100 2WD | 645 |
| F-150 2WD | 4225 |
| F-250 2WD | 468 |
| F-150 4×4 | 583 |
| F-250 4×4 | 62 |
| F-350 4×4 | unknown |
| F-350 Wreckers | 367 |
| Total (excluding wreckers) | 5983 |
| Total | 6350 |
While these 1979 Ford trucks may not be everyone’s tastes, I think they represent the era well. Further, these trucks have a particular interest to me. My family owned a 460 powered 1979 F-150 Speedway truck for about 17 years and we didn’t even realize it. Remember, I said that the trucks came equipped with the door lettering decals separate inside the truck? Well many of these trucks never got the decals installed. The 460 engine was quite popular with the Speedway F-150’s. Anecdotal evidence suggests that many times a customer would be looking for a truck with a big engine to haul things and ended up buying a Speedway truck just because it was the only one on the lot with a 460. Many customers often opted out of installing the door decals.
This was my family’s truck,in about 1995. The decal package was altered at some point by the original owner to make a more conservative appearance.
This was the case with the ’79 Ford F-150 my uncle bought in 1980 when he was stationed with the Air Force in Montana. He was looking for a truck and came across an almost new ’79 F-150 with a distinctive paint job and interior. He owned the truck for about 10 years or so then sold it to my dad who kept it until 1997. I really liked that old truck and in hindsight wished I would have bought it when my dad sold it for peanuts.
This decal was shipped loose with the door lettering and was not always installed as a result.
I have looked for a ’79 Ford similar to my Uncle/Dad’s truck for many years after, but none had the distinctive blacked out trim or the interior and other features that made that truck so great in my eyes. It was only later on, long after it was sold I discovered it was actually a Speedway truck. Interestingly, along with the 460-4V engine it had almost every Ford recommended option, except for the CB radio and the deluxe seat belts. I always thought it was a pretty loaded pickup for its day and now I know why. Since then, I was actually able to track my family’s old truck. The current owner is the same one who bought it off my dad 20 years ago (it was his first vehicle at 16 years old). He has kept it in pristine condition and doesn’t have any intention on selling. But to answer Daniel Stern’s question of the day from last week, this is one vehicle that I would buy back in a heartbeat (okay, so I didn’t actually own it, but close enough).
Great read. I would have taken a long bed with a contoured rear bumper, but then I saw that Race Wrecker. Me want.
Lots about these I never knew, so thanks. I was not much into trucks then and surely merged these into the earlier Free Wheelin versions in my mind.
And I never knew about the wreckers at all.
At first glance, these look very similar to their GMC counterparts, but being a Ford fan I’d rather have this in my garage. Of course, it would have to have a 79 Mustang Pace Car replica in the garage to keep it “company”.
Oddly Ford went the opposite direction with it’s Nascar trucks about 20 years later.
Very cool trucks. I have a soft spot for ’70s decal packages. It was part of the times and usually associated with upgraded or sportier vehicles. Nothing wrong with some fun!
The same example you found on eBay is also on Craigslist out of Vancouver, WA for what seems like an attractive price of $5,500: https://portland.craigslist.org/clk/cto/6166128421.html
Awesome, that is just up the road!
Great article indeed, thank you. Why do you think the 1980 F-150 was not ready in time to be the official Indianaplois 500 truck?
Thanks for the kind words and to those that enjoyed the article. I would have thought that it would have garnered more interest here, but at the very least if anyone is researching these trucks in the future, this article should come up now. When I was trying to dig up the history on our old Ford truck, it was very difficult to find all the info on these trucks in one place from a reliable source. Once I dug it all up, I figured I should put it together and it would make a good article.
Teddy,
in answer to your question, the 1980 Ford’s wouldn’t have been released at the time of the Indy 500. It seems they always used vehicles for the model year of the Indy, ie 1979 use 1979 MY vehicles, 1980 used 1980 MY, etc.
Gary,
that is the same truck I found on eBay, and I agree it’s seems to be a very good price. The truck does need some body work, but looks solid enough to be a driver. If it wasn’t on the other side of the country, I’d seriously consider it.
Don’t sweat the numbers, Vince. You’ve created another authoritative piece and now it’s out there. I’ve decided I want the long bed with the Race Wrecker front bumper and no rear bumper. Please.
Thanks Don, I wasn’t really sweating the numbers too much, I just was surprised that this article didn’t have more appeal to the audience here. In the end even if one person enjoys it, that’s enough reward for me. I also wrote this to help others who are researching these trucks, and because I enjoy putting these pieces together.
You’re truck would be a nice combo! For me, I just want my Dad’s old Ford back. Lots of memories wrapped up in that truck, and with the 460, headers and dual exahust, it was a pretty mean truck for it’s day.
I recall having the same reaction after one of my early pieces didn’t seem to do that well in stats or comments (a 1956 Mercury). But to repeat what Paul told me, you have added substantially to the sum of knowledge of these trucks. Next time someone looks these up, your piece will be a go-to reference. Also, the number of comments doesn’t always reflect on total readership. I have had things that I didn’t think would do well that generated tons of comments and vise versa.
Please take a moment to stop by http://www.indytruck.net. That’s the registry and informational site we run for these Indys. We currently own 5 of these including 1 four wheel drive.
Or, call me a Dean Bitner at 479-263-3326 if you have any info or know where one of these trucks is.
I currently own a 1979 Ford f-150, that is very similar. My truck has a second vin tag below the original Ford one. All I can read is that it had oversized wheels and tires installed. The truck also has factory a/c, tilt wheel, pulse wipers, 3 spoke Ford racing steering wheel, lockers front and rear, bucket seats and shag carpet. I have owned this truck over 20 years and I would love to know more about what it looked like when it was new. I have asked as many people as I can find about this truck, and no one can tell me anything. It is a short bed 4 wheel drive, 351m with automatic. I remember in the 80’s there were companies customizing new vehicles that were sold at the dealers. I wonder if there was a company doing that to Ford’s in the 70’s. I would appreciate any and all info anyone would have. Thank you
Text some photos to me at 479-263-3326 when you can. Here are a number of questions to be answered if you can.
Is the paint code “O” ?
Does it have red/black/silver interior ?
Does it have holes in the bed where a roll bar was once mounted ?
Is it a Ranger package ?
Does it have a black front bumper and black plastic mirrors ?
jason maybe this will help you!!!!!!
first time i ever saw one of these!!!
It was a special edition by Gemco for the Ford dealer. From the custom paint to the shag carpet and swivel seats, it is the way it was bought new. here is the ebay link for it!!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/F-100/113145530887?hash=item1a57ffca07:g:9~UAAOSwW-1bRq6O&vxp=mtr
The Official Wreckers were not a package that you could order these trucks were the trucks used at the speedway Holmes furnished the tow trucks when the race season was over they went back to Holmes and were sold to the public.
Awesome article, I actually own a 79 f150 pace pickup I did not know that was what it was until now it has none of the lettering and it now sports a 351w with 4 speed manual I love it
I have one in Indiana. North Manchester. Looking for a donor bed and doors to restore mine if anyone has parts txt me 260-578-8629
I have been looking at a 79 f250 pace truck but not for sure what the value of this truck is I ran a vin and know for sure that it is a actual pace truck 4×4 , it is in primer and no roll bar any suggestions would be greatly appreciated ,truck has absolutely no rust motor runs good body is straight and most of the interior is there
Great article! Here’s my 250 2WD 460
Nice article, thanks for posting! I always thought these trucks were cool.
In 1979 I was in College (Hobart) near Watkins Glen NY. I remember driving by the Ford dealer in Watkins Glen and he had 3 1979 Pace Trucks in front of the dealersship. If i recall it was a 2wd F-150, a 4wd F-150 and an F-250. It was quite the site. I just wish a had taken a picture of it.
Great research. I definitely remember seeing these in Eastern Ontario, circa 1979. If they were in fact, sold in Canada. And it wasn’t Ford pickups visiting from New York State. I’m sure, I saw one on display at Campbell Ford on Carling Avenue, in Ottawa.
Yo quiero saber que medidas lleva de largo la F150 cabina regular con caja larga
I had one of these as my first truck bought for $2200 bucks in 1993, I was only 14 and bought it with my paper route and de-tassling corn money… Didn’t know it was a speedway truck until a few years after owning it.., especially cuz mine had been painted all black…Then I learned the rareity of it.. It was a 2wd short box with the big boss 460.. These type trucks were everywhere in the late 80s and 90’s.. They were super cheap and a dime a dozen, but I saw the great in it as it was blacked out and really one of the only old school muscle trucks you could buy..The lightning and 454ss had just came out and I wanted to replicate and be faster, and boy was I.. Had it lowered 4in,, and had a edelbrock intake, carb, comp cam, headers & dual flowmasters.. I felt like the boss of my little town called Martinsville about 40mi south of the actual Speedway.. I sold it at 18 to buy a fox body mustang 5.0.. But man do I wish I never sold that truck.. At less than 650 made, fully optioned and the only way to get a 460 in a half ton.. Sadly, and I mean sadly I sold it for $2000cash to an old farmer who used it to haul chickens and goats.. pretty much ruined it within the 7-8yrs I went back looking for it even further south in Spencer IN.. My memory of the idle at a light or in traffic was amazing, lots of girls rode middle of the bench in that bad boy.. Man the good ol’ days.. Kids have no idea what they are missing.. Even had a sliding rear window so my buddies in the bed could pass me a beer as we were all cruising southern Indiana back roads with beer & weed..
I just bought a 79 f250 Indy truck the previous owner spray painted. It red and put a flat bed on it. Interior is nice though.