Ertl 1:25 1966 Ford F-100 pickup

The Ford F-series is a very popular truck in America, registering #1 in the auto sales charts for years and countless replica's of each generation.  However, some of the generations need some support as there are only a few models out there and this 1966 model serves as one of them.  Sure Racing Champions will revive their 1965 version later this year (i'll be reviewing that one later on), but how about this Ertl 1966 F-100 that is also a bank, full of metal, and even comes with an optional add-on.

The F-series entered the fourth-generation in 1961 with a styleside pickup body that integrates the pickup bed with the cab.  However, the distortion caused by the weight of the bed when loaded and the frame created problems so the model was scrapped after a few years.  In 1965 a new revolutionary concept arrived, the twin I-beam front suspension.  Previously pickups have a front beam axle with leaf springs to support the truck.  This did not create any advantages in handling, so Ford came up with a sturdier solution that uses two separate control arms in the shape of an "I" to give the front independent wheel travel while still making the truck just as strong as before.  The design lasted for decades before the control arm suspension finally caught up to Ford.  Also innovative was a toolbox concealed on the passenger-side of the bed and bold styling, though the latter had some issues with lines that were dangerously close to the Chevy C-10 pickup at the time.  The engine is a 352 CID V8 that produces 152 horsepower through a three-speed automatic transmission.

This Ertl truck was part of a few all-metal bank trucks that Ertl made over a few decades.  These trucks were full metal from the cab to the bed and within the truck came a concealed bank and a key to unlock the safe; on this Ford truck it is cleaverly located in the silver toolbox in the bed.  Also Ertl likes to add the window, antenna, door handles, taillights, and also here the trailer hitch ball as separate components that must be assembled when out of the box.  My tester was in great shape aside from the yellowing of the chrome on the front bumper.  The front has a large chrome grille with large and clear headlights, flow-through upper scoops, and an upper hoodline with signal lights, FORD letters, and the red Ford badge (I added some details to make the casting pop out more from the black and chrome standard look).  The sides show a clean look with front fender sweep lines over the wheelwells, Twin I-Beam badges, Custom Cab on the doors, detailed door handles and gas cap.  On this short-bed model the toolbox on the passenger side is not there and not needed thanks to the aftermarket one in the bed.  Also note the WIX filters logo on the doors.  At the rear is vertical rectangular taillights, FORD letters recessed into the tailgate, and a chrome bumper with a nice trailer hitch touch.

That hitch is functional as with the truck is an order form to mail in for the racing trailer and 1:24 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302 car with matching colors and WIX logo's from the Ford truck to tote around.  In the bed area the large toolbox does cut cargo capacity in half, but includes additional details with an extra drawer toolbox where change goes in the top portion, fuel tank, and chains on the bed.  The base shows off the ladder frame, twin I-beam front, engine and transmission details, rear axle, and spare tire.  The safe access is also under here and comes with a key; one that you'll have to find a place to hold onto to not loose it, yet on the other hand a flathead screwdriver can easily open it up.  The wheels are nice chrome hubcaps with the Ford logo that I detailed in red.  The interior has a detailed bench seat with ribbed door panels (I added silver to the door handles and window crank), deep-dish steering wheel, round gauge pod where all the gauges and controls are located, and the radio is in the center of the dashboard.  The outside antenna looks like a custom add-on in its design.  This is one neat truck that is nice, clean, and unique and worth the $27 that I paid for it due to its all-metal construction (this is one heavy truck!), nifty details, and the option to tow a trailer and a Mustang as well.