Tag Archives: Palance

Slightly Reduced Boost – Ford F-150 Supercharged Harley Davidson

Those watching the 1996 Super Bowl on TV will have been among the first to be introduced to the 1997 Ford F-150 in a catchy commercial featuring Jack Palance in which his F-150 is depicted as being strong enough to pull the two sides of the Grand Canyon together.

Ford F150 Supercharged Harley Davidson Edition, Castle Combe

Featuring improved aerodynamics, larger interior and improved fuel economy powered by either Taurus/Windstar V6 or Crown Victoria V8 motors, the tenth generation Ford F-150 went on sale in late 1996, it was the first all new ground up design for the model since 1980

Ford F150 Supercharged Harley Davidson Edition, Castle Combe

Ford introduced the Harley Davidson Edition in 2000 with a four door SuperCab and standard bed, the following year the Harley Davidson Edition featured a longer SuperCrew cab and shorter bed.

Ford F150 Supercharged Harley Davidson Edition, Castle Combe

In 2002 a slightly detuned 340 hp version of the Triton Supercharged V8 used in the 380 hp F-150 SVT Lightening was added to the Harley Davidson Edition.

Ford F150 Supercharged Harley Davidson Edition, Castle Combe

The detuning was achieved by adding a slightly larger pulley to the supercharger which slightly reduced the boost pressure.

Ford F150 Supercharged Harley Davidson Edition, Castle Combe

Keypad entry systems date at least back to the 1981 Lincoln Town Car, I don’t recall ever seeing one before on vehicle in the UK before, so it was a surprise to find this on a 2002 model.

Ford F150 Supercharged Harley Davidson Edition, Castle Combe

Aside from the external badging, front fog lamps and chrome side bars the Harley Davidson Edition F-150 came with black or dark shadow grey paint, accented by an orange pinstripe, leather interior trim and chrome 20 inch wheels.

Ford F150 Supercharged Harley Davidson Edition, Castle Combe

Interior Harley Davidson Edition features also include chrome steering column stalks door releases and seat leavers, unique Harley Davidson spun metal instrument cluster with 130 mph speedometer and a sequenced VIN plate on the center console.

Ford F150 Supercharged Harley Davidson Edition, Castle Combe

Harley Davidson Editions are said to have accounted for 1 to 2 percent of F-150 sales and the model seems to have divided opinions, F-150 and Harley Davidson owners had their opinions of the brands was reaffirmed, some HD owners switched from Chevy to Ford Pick Ups while some Ford owners who were not bikers thought the Harley Davidson Edition was a cheesy gimmick, that the tie between the two brands lasted twelve years is a testament to the fact both brands on balance benefited.

Thanks for joining me on this “Slightly Reduced Boost” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at a veteran design by Ferdinand Porsche. Don’t forget to come back now.

Brighton Speed Trials Under Threat of Permanent Cancellation !

In their infinite wisdom, Brighton & Hove City Council are seeking to ban the Brighton Speed Trials from 2014.

If you care about speed and or motorsport history, please sign this linked petition to save Brighton Speed Trials in 2014 and beyond.

It’s a faf to Register before signing, but relatively painless compared to loosing the event which has been run with few interruptions since 1905.

You do not need to be resident in Brighton or even the UK to sign.

Share

One Tough Act To Follow – Lincoln Town Car

The very first Lincoln Town Car was a one off custom 1922 limousine built for Henry Ford, the Town Car name next appeared, following the introduction of GM’s 1956 Cadillac Sedan de Ville (= French for Town Car), on the special 1959 Lincoln Continental (forgotten) Mark IV.

Lincoln Town Car, Classics at the Castle, Sherborne

Subsequently Town Car was used as the name for a variety of interior trim option packages between 1969 and 1980. In 1981 Town Car became a model name used in the first down sized Lincoln on a full size platform.

Lincoln Town Car, Classics at the Castle, Sherborne

Power for the Town Car comes from the ubiquitous 5 litre / 302 cui Ford Windsor V8 which drives the rear wheels with the aid of a 4 speed AOD automatic transmission.

Lincoln Town Car, Classics at the Castle, Sherborne

Tough guy actor Jack Palance was employed in for the 1984 Lincoln Town Car commercial which restated Lincolns commitment to quality and luxury and finished with the strap line “From where I sit that’s one tough act to follow.

Regular readers may remember I featured a Widebody Town Car a couple of years ago in a nice car for a wedding feature, turns out that car started out as a pre 1984 Town Car distinguished by the Town Car logo above the drivers side head lights.

The 1984 Town Car featured to day, sans drivers side head light logo, is seen at last years Classics at the Castle event at Sherborne Castle.

Thanks for joining me on this “One Tough Act To Follow” edition of ‘Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres’ I hope you will join me again tomorrow don’t forget to come back now !

Share