Two Lane Desktop

Racing Champions has not done one but two unique Ford pickups during its time and in the same year of the 1959 F-250 introduced the 1965 F-100 with the first use of the twin I-beam front suspension.   Today it is still unique to the Mint brand not shared with Johnny Lightning so I was glad to see this F-100 return as my original one in dark blue had a hood that broke off and a base that was starting to show signs of metal fatigue. The biggest revolution for the 1965 F-100 is the twin I-beam front suspension: basically two separate control arms in the same of I’s attach to a center point and allow for individual front wheel movement while still retaining the sturdy nature that Ford Trucks are often subjective to.   In addition the front-end is more cleaner with headlights integrated into the larger eggcrate grille, FORD letters across the signal light bar just below the hood, and fenders that curve down just after the front wheels.   The...

With the popularity and plentiful supply of Jeeps from World War II the off-road boom was in swing and one popular aftermarket conversion was four-wheel drive added to pickup trucks.   Seeing the popularity of this feature the Big 3 from Detroit finally offered the 4x4 package from the factory on their pickup trucks.   Both Ford and Chevrolet offered the setup in 1959 and Racing Champions has decided to show off the first year of the Ford truck, then revived it under Johnny Lightning. After a successful run with the famed F-100 trucks in the 1950’s, Ford was ready to redesign the F-series trucks in 1957 with a more integrated look that incorporates the front fenders with the hood and squares off the front-end.   Ford car-line influence still continues here with large grilles, headlights, and lots of chrome.   Also added was the popular styleside bed, basically a smooth bedside that matches the rest of the truck and...