Ford has produced a diverse array of vehicles in its 123-year history, from workhorses like the bestselling F-series trucks to supercars like the GT supercar . Now, a small outfit seeks to blend the philosophies of those two vehicles. Fat Fender Garage, a restoration shop based in Arizona, has revealed the GT/FX at SEMA, taking the body of a 1956 F-100 truck and giving it performance chops meant to emulate the capabilities of the Ford GT.
๐ The Core Development
The GT/FXโs steel body was drastically reshaped by Fat Fender Garage, with a flatter hood and roof and wider front and rear fenders giving it a more aggressive stance. The custom running boards blend neatly into the rear fenders, while a chin splitter up front and a rear diffuser swiped from a Mustang GT350 give the GT/FX a track-ready look.
The bed now features distinctive flared edges, and the tailgate drops down with the push of a button. The side-view mirrors are fashioned from carbon fiber, and the gray paint job is completed with a black racing stripe just offset to the left. The only thing left untouched was the grille, maintaining a tie-back to the original F-100.
๐ Background & Sector Context
Behind that grille sits a Gen 3 Ford Coyote 5.0-liter V-8 with a 3.0-liter Whipple supercharger strapped on top, pushing out 800 horsepower and 750 pound-feet of torque. The hearty engine is paired with Fordโs 10R80 10-speed automatic transmission, which routes that muscle to HRE wheels wearing Toyo Proxes Sport 2 tires, measuring a beefy 315/35R-20 at the rear. Stopping duties are handled by Wilwood disc brakes with six-piston front calipers and four-piston rear calipers.
The cabin features modern-looking bucket seats; a modern screen and buttons are also part of the transformation, but theyโre discreetly integrated. Plus, thereโs a concealed climate-control system that blows air through a hidden vent, and thereโs also interior LED lighting and a modern audio system.
๐ Industry & Real-World Impact
The GT/FX showcases the breadth of Fat Fender Garageโs abilities, from paint to interior trim and exhaust setups. The truck even rides on the companyโs own FF1 Performance Coilover chassis, which is designed to provide sporty handling despite the vintage truckโs body on top. Between the bodywork, the cabin, the powertrain, and the chassis, Fat Fender Garage went all in on transforming the F-100 from a utilitarian hauler into a sport truck that blends classic styling with modern power.
Benchmark Telemetry & EV Fuel Savings
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๐ฎ Strategic Outlook & What Lies Ahead
Caleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan.
