√Workshop creating classic Ford F-100 body kit for new Ford Ranger

Want to make one of the world’s newest utes look like it’s from the 1950s? This workshop in Thailand has the answer.

A workshop in Thailand is developing a bold body kit for the new Ford Ranger ute inspired by the Ford F-100 pick-up of the 1950s.

Built by Ford between 1953 and 1956 at a rate of over 100,000 units per year, the second-generation Ford F-100 – marketed in its day as an ‘triple economy’ truck, promising to save fuel, discomfort and money – featured a high, rounded bonnet, flared arches, low headlamps and a step-side tub.

Affectionately known as the ‘Effie’, it continues to be a favourite among classic-car enthusiasts – so much so that a tuner in Thailand is seeking to create a modern interpretation of the pick-up using the new Ford Ranger as a base.

Icon Cars in Chon Buri, Thailand has shared a series of images on its Facebook page that show the development of a 1950s F-100-inspired body kit for the new Ranger.

Wide fenders showcase a step-side tub at the rear, which is connected to a new front end using some deep running boards.

The Ranger keeps its four-door cab, doors, windows, tailgate and interior tub dimensions, but the photos show it will need wider or deeper-offset wheels to fill out its new shape.

While the model shown uses foam and core flute card to mock up the new panels, Icon has also shared a series of renders for how it envisions the 70-year Ford pick-up gap to be bridged.

This isn’t the first time that Icon has reimagined the Ranger, as the company offers kits to transform the previous generation of Australia’s second-best selling vehicle into a Ford F-250 ‘Super Duty’ look-alike.

Body kits intended to make Ford Ranger utes and Everest 4WDs look like larger Ford pick-ups – using parts from the front fascias of the larger vehicles – are relatively common in Thailand.

Would you do this to your new Ford Ranger? Let us know in the comments below.