Ford wants it the Foose's Way

Ford wants it the Foose's Way

by Gertrude Sayzer

Ford Motor Co. has recently unveiled the show-and-go hot rod 2008 F-150 Foose Edition, which is dressed to cruise the boulevard.

The design created by Chip Foose, the celebrated custom-car guru and host of TV's "Overhaulin" on the 2008 Ford F-150 stands out from other trucks design although the addition of a nerf bar may also do the Foose Edition F-150 some good. According to Ben Poore, Ford truck group marketing manager, "Fitting Ford's style, Foose creations aren't too 'Pimp My Ride'."

Poore also added that Foose is more minimalist in his styling and preferred to show a truck's natural lines. Foose's designs interest a wide range of consumers. "If you look at who is on his show, there's a cross section of America."

Poore said that the initial meeting with Foose was a lot like being a guest on 'Overhaulin'. Poore has discussed with Foose about creating the F-150 Foose Edition, based on the F-150 FX2 Sport.

The meeting between Poore and Foose transpired at the 2006 Specialty Equipment Market Association convention in Las Vegas, where Foose was hosting his TV show. The plans for the F-150 Foose Edition were discussed on the set at the table where Foose draws and plans custom treatments with guests.

"He did with me what he does with the other people on his show," Poore said. He says, 'Ben, what are you looking for in a truck'?" to which Poore replied that he wants a Ford street-rod truck. He added that he wants Foose to take the FX2 and give it a street-rod kind of look. Foose immediately jot down all the information. "He starts scribbling", Poore said. "You can't talk to him without his hands starting to move. It's just amazing."

Terms such as "tough luxury" and "street-rod tough" bounce around- keeping the toughness of the brand, but getting that street-rod look even more into it, Poore said. Foose also asked where Ford wants to put the most focus, on the interior or exterior. "Absolutely the exterior," Poore said. Then Foose asked about the wheel size that Ford wants. "At least 20s," Poore said. "Let's try to go for 22s," Foose said, and Poore agreed.

The wheels used for the F-150 Foose Edition are forged, polished wheels wrapped by P275/45R-22 tires. They are covered by flared fenders that give the impression of a lowered look. The show truck is lowered by 1.5 inches which may be different on production model and Foose created an effect to make it look more lowered by putting the body kit with custom rocker panels all the way around the vehicle instead of fitting a chin spoiler up front.

To further enhance the grounded look of the F-150 Foose added some bold racing stripes that begin at the leading edge of the hood. The cascading down stripes narrows significantly at the front fenders and then continuous rearward as a trim band, above door handles, and across to the tailgate. It ends with two wide stripes dipping down the tailgate.

The wide stripes balance out the front design elements of the F-150. For exhausts, Foose selects squarish dual outlets to match the shapes of the ducts in the front chin spoiler. The dual exhausts were derived from Ford Racing parts, providing the F-150 Foose Edition the most potent engine in an under-8,500-GVWR-class pickup. It's a supercharged 5.4-liter V-8, revving up 450 horsepower and 500 lb.-ft. of potent torque mated to a four-speed automatic transmission.

Poore said, "This will be the fastest truck in the lineup, absolutely. ---Its tremendous power off the line. If you are going to cruise the highway and you get the rpm up and you just let it kick in, it just keeps going, and going and going." He also added that the powertrain and the exterior is where most of the extra attitudes are invested stressing the fact that the FX2 interior already contains some special touches.

The changes on the interior design o fteh F-150 Foose Edition were made minimal. Its center console armrest is fitted with a full-leather, while the front headrests were provided with contrast stitching and are embossed with the Foose signature. Ford carpeted floor mats with the Foose logo were also added. A personalized build sequence badge turns the F-150 into an official Foose creation.

For admirers who are dying to know the source of the remarkable F-150's design, there are "FOOSE DESIGN" badges on the rear flanks. Ford may also take things further by substituting the F-150 badges on the front fenders with "FOOSE F-150" badges.

Ford's F-150 Foose Edition is scheduled for sale in the first quarter of 2008. No announcements yet have been made with regards to pricing of the number of limited-edition pickups that are to be produced. "They will not be easy to come by," Poore said.