What Is It?
Ford Lightning Rod
What's special about it?
Lowered, stretched, chopped 1 inch and sporting shortened overhangs, the cherry red metallic Lightning Rod sat forlornly on a stand at the Chicago Auto Show today, benefiting from neither a flashy press introduction nor much media attention.
That's unfortunate, because this is one slick truck. The production Lightning pickup's supercharged, 380-horsepower Triton 5.4-liter V8 is tucked underneath the Rod's powerdome hood, blasting exhaust through a stainless steel straight-pipe system. Neon lighting replaces the head- and taillights, while a deeply recessed aluminum grille with horizontal bars tidies up the look in front. Massive 20-inch Torq-Thrust knockoff wheels are shod with monstrous 295/40 tires up front and 305/40 tires in back.
Covering the bed is a leather-wrapped tonneau emblazoned with a traditional Maori tribe tattoo. Ed Golden, executive director of North American Ford Brand Design, said "In Maori culture, an elegantly tattooed face was a great source of pride to a warrior, for it made him fierce in battle. The F-150 has a great history and has consistently been the leader among full-size pickups — it is certainly fierce in battle." Problem is, Ed, that in America, tattoos signify trailer trash, skinheads and wasted youth.
The Maori tattoo theme is repeated in the unique tire tread pattern and inside the cabin, where it decorates the leather bucket seats and headliner. As is customary these days, plenty of aluminum trim decorates the Lightning Rod's flashy yet austere interior, which includes a leather-wrapped dash and a milled aluminum, three-spoke steering wheel with red leather accents.
Why should you care?
This "dream machine" concept F-150 pickup would look great parked in a garage next to the Ford Forty-Nine, wouldn't it? Though based on a production vehicle and powered by the SVT Lightning's drivetrain, the Lightning Rod isn't likely to wind up in showrooms because the limited sales volume couldn't possibly justify the extensive changes to the body and frame. But with the wheel design found on the 2001 Mustang GT, Mustang Bullitt and now this Lightning Rod concept, it appears Ford's head designer, J Mays, has a thing for Torq-Thrust wheels.a good thing. — Christian Wardlaw
Ford Lightning Rod
What's special about it?
Lowered, stretched, chopped 1 inch and sporting shortened overhangs, the cherry red metallic Lightning Rod sat forlornly on a stand at the Chicago Auto Show today, benefiting from neither a flashy press introduction nor much media attention.
That's unfortunate, because this is one slick truck. The production Lightning pickup's supercharged, 380-horsepower Triton 5.4-liter V8 is tucked underneath the Rod's powerdome hood, blasting exhaust through a stainless steel straight-pipe system. Neon lighting replaces the head- and taillights, while a deeply recessed aluminum grille with horizontal bars tidies up the look in front. Massive 20-inch Torq-Thrust knockoff wheels are shod with monstrous 295/40 tires up front and 305/40 tires in back.
Covering the bed is a leather-wrapped tonneau emblazoned with a traditional Maori tribe tattoo. Ed Golden, executive director of North American Ford Brand Design, said "In Maori culture, an elegantly tattooed face was a great source of pride to a warrior, for it made him fierce in battle. The F-150 has a great history and has consistently been the leader among full-size pickups — it is certainly fierce in battle." Problem is, Ed, that in America, tattoos signify trailer trash, skinheads and wasted youth.
The Maori tattoo theme is repeated in the unique tire tread pattern and inside the cabin, where it decorates the leather bucket seats and headliner. As is customary these days, plenty of aluminum trim decorates the Lightning Rod's flashy yet austere interior, which includes a leather-wrapped dash and a milled aluminum, three-spoke steering wheel with red leather accents.
Why should you care?
This "dream machine" concept F-150 pickup would look great parked in a garage next to the Ford Forty-Nine, wouldn't it? Though based on a production vehicle and powered by the SVT Lightning's drivetrain, the Lightning Rod isn't likely to wind up in showrooms because the limited sales volume couldn't possibly justify the extensive changes to the body and frame. But with the wheel design found on the 2001 Mustang GT, Mustang Bullitt and now this Lightning Rod concept, it appears Ford's head designer, J Mays, has a thing for Torq-Thrust wheels.a good thing. — Christian Wardlaw
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