2025 AFD highlight – C1953 F100 pickup
This year’s edition of the annual All Ford Day in Geelong was the biggest in the event’s 34-year history. With 2025 marking 100 years since the foundation of Ford Australia, Ford owners and fans came from as far away as Queensland to be a part of the show.
Fords on display covered the Aussie-made Falcons, Fairlanes, FPVs, Rangers and Territorys you’d expect, along with plenty of American Fords, Mercurys and Lincolns, English Fords, and Ford-based hot rods.
With more than 1,600 cars on display, there was plenty on automotive eye candy, with some of the custom creations on show this year, like this pickup, really making an impression.
The F-Series pictured comes from the second-generation of America’s signature pickup truck, which arrived in 1953, replacing the original version. A name change for Gen 2 saw ‘F-1’ replaced with ‘F-100’ for the half-ton pickup, and the F-250 and F-350 nameplates introduced to replace the F-2/F-3 and F-4, respectively. The new F Series trucks were larger, with an updated chassis, improved engines and more glass area for better vision. A six-cylinder engine was the base powerplant in 1953, with a flathead V8 optional, but this would be replaced for 1954 by a modern, overhead valve V8. A three-speed column manual transmission was standard, with an automatic available for the first time.
Obviously, the F-100 featured is a LONG way removed from its factory spec, with a roof chop, shaved door handles, deleted badges, deleted bumpers, custom front and rear valances, a modified grille and plenty more. The front end has been converted to a one-piece tilting unit (presumably in fibreglass) that allows easy access to an engine bay that packs a supercharged V8. Capacity of the powerplant is unknown, but a bunch of billet parts and anodised fittings were visible on what could be seen.
Just as eye-catching as the blower up front were the massive tyres at the back – Mickey Thompson Sportsman Pro 31 x 16.5–15 hoops - that wrapped around Weld Racing alloys. These not only filled the pickup’s stepside wheelarches, but also required tubbing. Nestled between these extended tubs in the timber-lined tray was a Jack Daniel’s case.
The shaved tailgate incorporated an auxiliary high-mount tail/brake light, with standard tail and indicator lights set into a custom roll pan that was reminiscent of what was seen on classic pickup conversions from the 1990s.
The full custom treatment continued inside, with bespoke doorcards, aftermarket handles, power windows, an aftermarket steering column and wheel, what appeared to be a digital instrument display, plus auxiliary analogue gauges and a ‘Big Bad Wolf’ shifter. The shifter sat in a custom centre console with quilted accents that were repeated on a bench seat that included a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders. Some Holden seat belts were visible, too.
The fact this pickup was LHD suggests the comprehensive custom work was done in the US, but this could not be confirmed, as the owner wasn’t present when these photos were taken.
To see JUST CARS’ report from the 2025 All Ford Day, click HERE.
