Ghostbusters 1959 Ford ECTO-100

Ghostbusters ECTO-fied 1959 Ford F100 4×4: Off-Roading with a Classic Twist

When there’s a ghost to be caught, there’s no question about who to call. But if the ghost’s hideout is up a rugged mountain trail, even the Ghostbusters might wonder, “What are we gonna’ drive?” Enter the ECTO-fied 1959 Ford F100 4×4, an off-road monster built to chase down spirits in even the toughest terrain.

This modified Ford F100 was created as an off-road companion to the iconic ’59 Cadillac ECTO-1 from the Ghostbusters movie. Designed with adventure in mind, this vehicle is perfect for parades, comic-con events, and visits to children’s hospitals, as well as, of course, ghost-hunting in the wild.

Powertrain and Electrical Upgrades

The truck boasts a 351-cu.in. Windsor V-8 engine paired with a C4 three-speed automatic transmission, with a few upgrades to enhance its performance. The engine features blue-anodized accents, an electronic ignition conversion, and a rebuilt carburetor. It also has a dual battery system to support the numerous lights and accessories, with a custom setup including a battery booster, kill switch, and an external charger for when you want to run the sirens and lights without starting the engine.

Exterior Enhancements

The exterior features multiple lights, sirens, and Ghostbusters-themed props, closely resembling the ECTO-1 movie car. The truck was restored with some minor rust repair and painted white, with vinyl Ghostbusters graphics and movie-accurate props like a ghost sniffer gun and oxygen bottles. It also sports a custom “ECTO” hood emblem and Maplewood red trim that mirrors the tail fins of the original movie car.

Interior Features

Inside, the truck is equipped with a black vinyl-and-cloth split bench seat from an Eighties GM truck, Lizard Skin protective liner material for sound dampening, and a modern audio system with Bluetooth capability. For a true Ghostbusters experience, external speakers and a subwoofer tube with lights are mounted on the roof rack.

Chassis and Performance

On the road, the truck performs well, thanks to its solid chassis, suspension, and brakes, along with a new gasket for the front differential and a restored front driveshaft. It rides on oversized 33-inch BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain tires, which provide a bit of a challenge at highway speeds, but are perfect for off-road ghost-chasing.

History of the Original Ghostbusters Movie and ECTO-1

The original Ghostbusters movie, released in 1984, introduced us to a team of eccentric scientists turned paranormal investigators: Peter Venkman, Ray Stantz, Egon Spengler, and Winston Zeddemore. Their iconic ECTO-1, a converted 1959 Cadillac Ambulance, became a symbol of the franchise, known for its sleek white design, sirens, and array of ghost-hunting equipment. The ECTO-1 was as much a character as the Ghostbusters themselves, traveling through the streets of New York to save the city from paranormal threats.

The 1959 Cadillac was chosen for its iconic, vintage look, and the car’s tail fins were modified to resemble those of a classic hearse, enhancing its spooky and mysterious aura. Today, the ECTO-1 remains one of the most recognizable vehicles in movie history, and tribute vehicles like this modified Ford F100 continue to bring the spirit of Ghostbusters to life for fans of all ages.