1,000 Horsepower 1950 Ford F-1

Mason’s started with a TCI Engineering chassis with several areas on the frame reinforced to handle the 1,000 hp goal. While the truck was not designed as a hard-core corner carver, straight-line stability had its own challenges, so specific additions included a triangulated four-bar rear, tubular A-arms up front, RideTech coilovers, and custom motor mounts. Mason added Shelby power steering and a Mustang II rack along with a Currie 9-inch rear running 3.25 gears and 35-spline axles. Wilwood disc brakes provided modern clamping pressure. Once the chassis was nimble and balanced, powdercoating by Old Furnace Powder Coating in Spartanburg, South Carolina, handled the cosmetics.

The motor is a 5.4-liter modified Shelby V-8 with a Cobra Jet crank, Crower rods, MMR pistons, stock cams, and custom-built, long-tube, stainless steel headers feeding 3-inch, side-exiting pipes. Lots of aspiration choices were available but the icing on this cake was the liquid-cooled Kenne Bell 3.6 supercharger capable of up to 28 pounds of boost. Mason says one of the biggest tricks to making big horsepower is keeping intercooler temps low. This truck is unique in that the blower combines a Kenne Bell BIGUN intercooler with a Double Pass heat exchanger from C&R Racing, using two 10-inch fans along with a 5-gallon coolant reservoir rather than the normal 1 or 2 quarts. A custom cold-air kit pulls air from outside the engine room, ducted from the driver side front fender. The heart of a vehicle is always the motor and the sound from this one is reminiscent of a high-dollar Italian supercar, thanks to the Kooks mufflers producing an appropriately menacing growl.

Along with speed, cosmetics were a simultaneous goal. Custom valve covers sport the truck’s logo and the firewall is clean with all the holes filled. Carbon-fiber accents, chrome, and polished aluminum rack up style points. Getting the power to the ground began with a TREMEC T56 Magnum six-speed, custom-built for the truck and capable of handling the power. Also staying in the Ford family, the wheels are Shelby-style American Racing, 18×9 up front and 18×12 in the rear, running Nitto Extreme drag radials. As a pleasant surprise, however, mega horsepower was not the only consideration during this build.

Even though the F-1 is a race truck in every sense, capable of more than 1,000 rwhp, and with a cockpit that is clearly a driver-oriented environment, creature comforts abound inside with power steering, air conditioning, power one-piece side glass, full leather interior, suede headliner, and a Lecarra wheel on an ididit column. The Shelby GT500 seats are upholstered in Marauder Gray and embroidered with the “F1000” logo. Safety was addressed with a subtle but strong chromoly rollcage built by Stott’s Racing, along with Simpson five-point harnesses. The truck’s gauges add to the aviation cockpit flair, made by Classic Instruments. The four knobs under the radio-delete panel control the air conditioning while the custom-made tall shifter works the TREMEC.

Aerodynamic issues were next on the list. Penetrating the wind is a primary concern when the lofty goal is somewhere near 200 mph, especially when you’re dealing with a body shape originally designed in the ’50s when 70 was fast! Tricks began with a flush-mounted windshield and one-piece side glass. The openings for the original hood locks were welded shut and the hood dechromed. The grille was smoothed by eliminating the parking lights and all four fenders were radiused to bring them closer to the tires, preventing air turbulence from slowing the truck. A carbon-fiber splitter up front minimizes air underneath. In the rear, the custom tonneau by KPR Racing provides a wind-cheating cover for the bed and features a built-in adjustable spoiler to defuse a speed-robbing vortex. A smooth pan wraps up the rear, fitted with classic round Pontiac taillights.

Lift the tonneau cover and you’ll discover the rear-mounted 21-gallon fuel cell that motivates the big V-8. In the middle of the bed is the clearance cover for the Currie rear and close to the cab wall is the 5-gallon tank for the intercooler. The extended inner fender panels allow the wider, road-gripping rubber necessary for a proper launch and John has a custom bed floor on the short list for the future. With all the go-fast goodies in place, the final step was spraying the truck Metallic Magnetic Gray with black lettering. Whether you are admiring the engine, interior, bed or body, you’ll be impressed with the elegant execution at every level.

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