Time to cash in the kids college accounts !
:o
:notworthy: :notworthy:
LAS VEGAS, Nov. 5, 2002 - Calling it “the perfect project to follow our FR500 Mustang and FR200 Focus efforts,” Ford Racing Technology unveiled its FR100 concept at the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) show. The FR100 is a vintage 1953 F-Series pickup with a modern modular V-8 engine that melds Ford’s heritage in pickup trucks with today’s performance and advanced powertrain technologies.
Based on an original 1953 F-100, the truck was transformed into the FR100 with contemporary design touches. The foundation of FRT’s hot new 5.0-liter Cammer crate engine is the Ford SVT Mustang Cobra 4.6-liter 4-valve engine. However, the crate version has several unique qualities and components.
Key differences include larger cylinders for five liters of displacement, forged pistons, an 11.0:1 compression ratio, ported heads, higher-lift cams, beehive-shaped valve springs, higher-flow fuel injectors, and a magnesium variable geometry intake manifold.
According to Ford Racing Technology engine engineer, Andy Schwartz, “The 5.0-liter 4-valve delivers a healthy 425-430 horsepower at 6700 rpm. The torque curve peaks with 370 foot-pounds at 4000 rpm.”
Inside, a custom roll cage was built for passenger protection and to serve as a secure mounting point for various components. The classic truck then received all of the modern amenities: Mustang tilt column, Vintage Air air conditioning, Ford Racing gauges, Kugel Komponents pedal assembly, reupholstered Ford Ranger seats, Harman/Becker TrafficPro II stereo/CD/navigation system, Sirius Satellite Radio and Infinity speakers.
Once the interior was plotted out, the powertrain was added. Backing the Cammer crate engine are custom headers and a dual-exhaust system with two catalysts, a Cobra radiator, a Tremec T56 6-speed manual with a prototype Ford Racing/Centerforce clutch and a custom aluminum-metal-matrix drive shaft. Brembo disc brakes were added at each corner to stop the 18-inch BBS wheels and Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires.
During recent preliminary testing at Grattan Raceway in Michigan, the FR100 circulated the 10 turn, 2.0-mile road course at an average time only two seconds slower than the Mustang FR500. The truck then went back to McLaren for complete disassembly in preparation for paint. Sikkens two-part urethane in a tasteful charcoal-silver tone coated all the chassis parts, while a special Ford Racing Silver formulation by DuPont was selected for body panels. The second truck, scheduled for finishing after SEMA, will wear a drastically and dramatically different paint scheme, which won’t be revealed until sometime in February 2003.