F150 custom to feature in US auction

Originally created by Ford for the 2001 Chicago Auto Show, the Lightning Rod was built around the then current eighth generation F150 pickup - creating a "rodded" version of the ford SVT F150 Lightning, hence the 'Lightning Rod' name. According to Ford's Ed Golden (Executive Director of Ford North American Brand Design at the time), the Lightning Rod evoked the "passion of muscle cars of the 1960s, the hot rod industry and the current body art craze."

Lowered and stretched, the Lightning Rod was given a one-inch chop to its roofline, narrower front & rear overhangs, a raked windshield, hidden wipers and rollpan rear. Twin horizontal neon headlamps replaced the conventional headlights, and flanked a recessed, custom aluminium grille and 'powerdome' bonnet. The horizontal light theme carried through to the taillights, which are also neon tubes. Cherry red metallic paint gives it a sleek, hot rod look.

The "body art craze" in the Lightning Rod's design was evidenced by a leather-wrapped tonneau cover die-cut with a tattoo design allegeedly inspired by Maori 'Moko' facial tattoos. On the F150 Lightning Rod, this took the form of "shallow, colored grooves in complex curvilinear patterns."

The Maori theme carried through to the leather bucket seats and headliner. The dash was all leather-wrapped, too. The custom-made 20-inch, five-spoke cast aluminum wheels were wrapped in specially-made Goodyear tyres with a tread pattern that continued the tonneau cover's tattoo theme.

Under the custom body, the Lightning Rod was powered by a Ford 5.4-litre 'Triton' SOHC supercharged V8 that put out 380hp, hooked up to a four-speed automatic transmission. Coil spring independent front suspension, live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs, and four-wheel hydraulic power disc brakes were other features.

The unique F150 vehicle runs and drives but is not DOT or EPA (US) certified. It cannot be registered for highway use in the United States and is being offered on 'bill of sale' only.

When it last went for auction in 2010, the Lightning Rod sold for US$55,000. For the upcoming Phoenix auction, the F150 Lightning Rod will be offered with No Reserve, and RM Auctions estimate the value at US$40,000 - US$60,000.

For more details on this and other lots from the upcoming RM Auctions Phoenix auction, please go to www.rmauctions.com

Images: courtesy RM Auctions