Racing Champions Mint 1965 Ford F-100 pickup

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 one-piece box with cab has been eliminated yet the smooth look of that bed still resides and ends with a revised taillight and tailgate that would be a Ford hallmark for two decades.  Another nifty feature is a toolbox that is integrated on the right-rear bedwall just ahead of the right-rear wheel and an interior with gauges that contour toward the driver.  The engine is a new 352 CID V8 that produces 208 horsepower through a three-speed automatic transmission.

Talk about a beautiful pair in either all-black or white and light blue two-tone and both look good decked out with chrome trim.  The front has a chrome grille with black wash, round headlights in white, black inner grille panel with FORD letters next to the signal lights, red FORD badge on the hood, and a chrome bumper with an interesting green license plate (possible Canadian province?).  The front fenders have that proper curve over the front wheels, which are chrome steel caps with rubber tires, and then leads to the Twin I-Beam badge that starts the side chrome trim.  At the rear is vertical taillights, FORD letters on the tailgate, and a bumper with the same green plate as the front, and the tailgate opens up to access the large cargo area; oh, and let’s not forget about the toolbox on the right-side of the outer bedwall.  The interior has a bench seat, detailed steering wheel, and simple dashboard layout, like the 1959 F250, and the base is metal and not that much detailed as the 1959 F-250.  Both trucks share the same engine detailing under the hood and it’s a pretty good setup.

Overall these two trucks are nicely done and well-executed for its age and with the updated quality a perfect fit for those who lost the old Mint 1965 F-100 to metal fatigue (like me).