A 1956 Ford F-100 pickup has been transformed into an 800bhp supercharged V8 restomod, complete with huge wheel arches, modern suspension and a body that’s almost entirely handmade.
The creation comes from American custom truck specialist Fat Fender Garage, which has named its latest project the GT/FX and unveiled it ahead of the SEMA show.
At first glance, there’s still enough of the original Ford to recognise its 1950s roots. Look a little closer, though, and you’ll struggle to find much that hasn’t been changed.
A Classic Ford With a Completely New Body
Rather than simply fitting wider wheels and calling it a day, Fat Fender Garage has rebuilt the truck around a custom ladder-frame chassis designed and manufactured in-house.
The steel bodywork has been shaped by hand, with dramatically widened wheel arches giving the GT/FX a much lower, more aggressive appearance.
The roof and bonnet have been flattened, while the cab has been sectioned by two inches to change the truck’s overall proportions.
Almost every exterior panel has received attention. The original front grille is one of the few parts left untouched.
Other changes include custom running boards, carbon fibre mirrors, a redesigned load bed and a bespoke front bumper. There’s even a rear diffuser taken from a Ford Mustang GT350.
It’s an unusual mix of classic American pickup styling and modern performance-car design, but somehow it works.
An 800bhp Supercharged Mustang V8
The styling might grab your attention first, but what’s hiding beneath the bonnet is arguably even more interesting.
Power comes from a 5.0-litre Ford Coyote V8, the engine family used in the modern Mustang. However, Fat Fender Garage has added a 3.0-litre Whipple supercharger to increase its output considerably.
The company quotes some rather impressive figures:
- Engine: 5.0-litre supercharged Coyote V8
- Power: 800bhp (claimed)
- Torque: 750lb ft (approximately 1,017Nm)
- Gearbox: 10-speed automatic
- Wheels: 20-inch HRE alloys
- Brakes: Wilwood disc brakes
For perspective, this is a 70-year-old pickup design with more power than many modern supercars.
The V8 sends its power through a 10-speed automatic gearbox, while a custom Fat Fender Garage exhaust uses Borla XR-1 Raceline mufflers.
With that combination under the bonnet, keeping things quiet clearly wasn’t high on the priority list.
Modern Suspension and a Custom Interior
Making an old pickup look spectacular is one thing. Giving it the hardware to cope with 800bhp is another.
The GT/FX features modern coilover suspension and upgraded Wilwood disc brakes, replacing the sort of running gear you’d normally associate with a classic working truck.
Its 20-inch HRE wheels sit beneath those enormous arches, completing the wide-body appearance.
Inside, the transformation continues with a custom black leather cabin, modern bucket seats, a digital display and updated switchgear.
The interior keeps the character of a classic pickup while introducing the equipment and finish you’d expect from a high-end custom build.
A Project That Took 15,000 Hours
Perhaps the most remarkable detail isn’t the power output or the enormous bodywork. It’s the time spent creating the GT/FX.
Fat Fender Garage says the project required 15,000 hours of design, engineering and fabrication, making it the company’s most ambitious build to date.
That level of work helps explain why so little of the original truck remains untouched.
There’s no confirmed price or indication that Fat Fender Garage plans to offer the GT/FX as a production model. For now, it stands as a showcase of what the company can achieve.
And while the original F-100 was built to carry tools and supplies, this one looks better suited to carrying home a few trophies.
Just testing the new comments section on The Cars Daily! Everything seems to be working. What do you think of this 800bhp Ford F-100? Would you keep it original or go for the full restomod treatment?