Photos from the Cohort by nifticus392.
Related CC reading:
Curbside Classic: 1960 Ford F-100 – Sunshine Truck On A Sunshine Day
Curbside Classic: 1960 Ford F-250 Styleside – The Tonka Truck
Curbside Classic: 1960 Ford F-100 Custom Cab – It Still Got Game
Ford built some nice looking trucks in the 50’s and ’60’s. I prefer this over the curvaceous ’55 models. Looking at the Crown Vic cop car wheels, I wonder what’s under the hood. I like the plywood tonneau cover and the two tone color scheme.
I’d go one further with the CrownVic cop car wheels, I wonder what’s under the whole truck. There’s a small trend that exists with these old pickups putting the whle bed/cab over a late panther frame and running gear
Really? I would have very serious concerns about their structural integrity, as all modern perimeter frames as used in passenger cars are very much not designed to carry a body without the body being very rigid itself and a key structural element, which is very much not the case with these pickups.
A truck frame (and most pre-perimeter passenger car frames) are very different animals from a perimeter frame, which was intended to really just tie the front and rear suspensions on an essentially unibody car.
That’s not to question that folks are doing it, just questioning the judgment and the structural integrity of the results.
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/automotive-histories/tech-history-vintage-article-the-perimeter-frame-body-and-frame-not-body-on-frame/
I just read an article about one of these conversions. They only use cop cars as donors, as their frames are apparently reinforced. And they do weld in at least one cross member. So apparently it works well enough,in its intended use. I most certainly would not encourage hauling substantial loads in the bed, like the 3000+ pound loads I do in my F100. That’s the key difference. These cabs and beds are actually quite light, as long as they’re empty.
https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/swap-cop-car-frame-f-100-pickup/
You are the one to know this with your Ford. I hadn’t refreshed my page after your comments were posted, so if I sound a bit off in this thread, sorry.
I was just wondering why one should assume that there’s a Panther under there.
Those are interesting comments. So, because of the photo, you think the wheels are from a Police Interceptor, so you think it is possible that the truck could be dismissed as a Panther car wearing a 1960 Ford truck drag?
Out of the hundreds of remaining 1960 Ford trucks, do you believe are like that? What are the chances that this is one of them?
I’ve seen Studebakers that have GM engine and running gear because of the challenges of finding original parts and the challenges of driving an old Studebaker with Studebaker original parts. I have seen customized kit cars use Thunderbird engine and running gear. However, not a Ford truck like this. The OEM parts aren’t that tough to find for this brand, or year of truck is it?
The CV had a 114″ wb, as does the 1961-up swb F100. But this older 1960 has a 110″ wb, which means if it does have a Panther frame it required even more work including cutting the frame.
It could just be lowered and/or have a modern IFS suspension grafted on its frame. I can’t see any sign of the front leaf springs, and the track of both front and rear axles is clearly wider than stock. So either of those two possibilities may be the case here.
Using the Panther frame makes the job of using its modern front and rear suspension easier, but it’s not essential.
Outstanding facts – thank you!
There are two main forums that I read concerning Ford trucks. Long time FTE where most of us are originalist about our 61-66 Slicks. Paul fits that category along with me. I answer questions there off and on about how to do something or fix something.
The other place is Facebook “Ford F100 World.” Now there you constantly see all kinds of conversations about conversions using Crown Vic front ends and so forth. Conversations about Coyote engine transplants. Conversations about Chevy engine transplants. Conversations about stuffing the Ford 460 in. It goes on and on with heavily resto-mod stuff. A very different crowd.
I very rarely participate in that forum with advice as by the time some of these are done they are what I call a Frankenstein truck. They are a 62, or a 65, in body only but nowhere else.
While swapping in the front crossmember and strapping the CV axle to the leaf springs is more common this one does appear to have a CV frame under it. The lack of any visible leaf springs in the back is one clue but the main clue is that you can see the torque box area of the frame in the front wheel well in the 1st picture.
The truck looks fantastic. Great colour combo. Including the slightly yellowed creme colour, which adds to its vintage appearance. Not a fan of the wheels. They lend a 1960s economy import vibe. Cheapening, its overall looks IMO.
Those would be the wheels that came with the donor car. Unfortunately the 2003 and up Panthers were designed for high offset wheels and going to a low or no offset wheel will push the tires too far out. That said most wheels from a 2005+ Mustang or 2002-2010 Explorer work perfectly.
These would give more of a truck vibe in my opinion though I’d probably go for the painted version.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Explorer#/media/File:02-05_Ford_Explorer_Eddie_Bauer.jpg
Unfortunate, as a greater negative offset would have been a significant improvement, IMO. Your choice would look better, if perhaps a bit too modern appearing.
Yeah those Explorer wheels are a bit modern looking but less so than some of the other factory offerings.
Personally I’d probably go with the Mustang Bullitt wheels since they were inspired by those used on the car in the movie.
Not a topic I’ve researched, but I could see a market use, for a niche automotive service that would find the most practical and flattering/attractive wheels for a client’s specific vehicle. Almost, like an interior designer, or architect, for your car/truck.
There are people, who have a great affinity for this, and good design taste, for selecting beautiful wheels for certain cars. For example, I find the wheels on Jim Cavanaugh’s Charger GT, look exceptionally attractive on his auto. An excellent combination of great looks, elegance, and masculinity. Especially complimentary, to his car’s styling. Don’t find these wheels work best, on this F-100.
When I see an F-100 of this generation, the first word that comes to my mind is “Buddy L”. My childhood best friend had one and I played with it a lot.