FORDS YOU NEVER KNEW EXISTED
# 58 FORD EXPLORER SURF AND F150 STREET
This month, our detectives have uncovered two of the craziest concepts Ford ever produced, the Surf and the Street. Both were designed and built in 1990, and both were a version of that old faithful American icon, the pick-up truck. But that’s where the similarities end. In fact, the two cars couldn’t be more different if they tried!
The first was a chopped about, no-roof, no-tailgate version of the then new Ford Explorer 4x4. The intention was to design a hardcore ‘leisure’ truck that would provide a great way to get down to the Californian beach on a sunny afternoon. Sounds cool. And we’re sure it could have been, if only they didn’t hand the project over to Barbie and Ken!
The beefy roll-over bar, extra spotlights, wide wheel arches, custom wheel covers, and chunky off-road tyres could have made for a seriously cool 4x4. But, unfortunately, the custom paintjob really lets the whole car down! Just imagine how mean it could have looked in matt black!
Alongside the Surf, Ford also unveiled the Street – an off-the-shelf ‘customised’ F150 pick-up truck! Designed to tap in to the incredibly popular custom truck scene that was sweeping California in the ‘90s, Ford decided they’d have a go at making their own ‘custom’ truck.
Starting with a full size F150, they chopped the roof height by 3.5 inches, slammed the suspension to the floor, and added bigger rims. The overall stance is deliberately intended to have a ‘nose down’ appearance, achieved by lowering the front of the car by four inches over standard and three inches at the rear. The 16in chrome wheels were fitted with fat tyres, so the arches could be filled with as much rim as possible.
Other ‘custom’ touches include shaved door handles, frenched antenna, and quad exhausts - a twin exit tailpipe moulded into the side panels on each side. And the white and blue paintjob is much more palatable than that of the Surf. In fact, we’d go so far as to say, it’s rather cool!