The 2019 Detroit auto show is now in full swing, and as always, automakers are showing off a number of concept vehicles. It may be difficult to imagine now, but one day the concepts on display at this year’s show will be little more than a distant memory for most. But that will just make rediscovering them in 20 years all the more fun. Take a look at this 2001 Ford F-150 Lightning Rod concept, for example. First shown at the Chicago auto show in February 2001, this chopped and stretched Ford F-150 was inspired by hot rods and the tattoo culture of New Zealand’s Maori people—and it can be yours when it crosses the block at Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale auction later this week.
“Wait, back up,” you say? We did a double take when we read that bit about tattoos, too. You can’t see it very well in the auction photos, but in the original press photos (above) you can see the Lightning Rod concept features a Maori-inspired design on the leather-wrapped tonneau covering the truck bed. There are similar designs cut into the tread of the tires, but the vaguely Polynesian motif is subtle until you step inside. The custom red interior is highlighted by Maori tattoo patterns cut into the leather-wrapped bucket seats and headliner. This may seem like an unusual theme for Ford to go all in on, but keep in mind that “tribal” tattoos were all the rage when this concept came out.
“Lightning Rod draws from the passion of the muscle cars of the 1960s, the hot rod industry, and the current body art craze to take America’s best-selling pickup to a new level of performance excitement,” Ed Golden, then–North American executive director of design for the Ford brand, said in a 2001 press release.
The hot rod influence is easier to spot at first glance. The roof has been chopped 1 inch, and the body has been lowered on 20-inch custom five-spoke wheels. The front and rear overhangs have also been shortened, with the bumpers integrated into the bodywork for a smooth, flush look. One particularly cool touch is the headlights, which feature two horizontal neon tubes.
As the name suggests, the concept is powered by the same 5.4-liter V-8 engine found in the Ford F-150 SVT Lightning of the day. That engine makes 380 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque. Unfortunately, whoever buys this concept won’t get to enjoy that power on the road. According to the seller, the truck runs and drives but is not DOT- or EPA-certified and thus cannot be registered in the U.S. But if you want a unique F-150 show car to display in your collection, you can catch this one at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale on Thursday, January 17.
Barrett-Jackson ushers in a new year of high-octane auction action during its 48th Annual Scottsdale Auction, featuring some of the world’s most coveted collector vehicles and authentic automobilia collectibles, January 12-20, 2019, at WestWorld of Scottsdale. As in decades past, The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions will be the epicenter of Collector Car Auction Week and entertain thousands of automotive enthusiasts with interactive exhibits, entertainment, and activities. Check your local TV listings to see it live on MotorTrend Network and download the app for exclusive, live coverage.
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