Ford F-150 SVT Lightning 1993 Auctioned, Offers Reached IDR 1 Billion

Ford F-150 SVT Lightning 1993. (Photo: Bring A Trailer)

JAKARTA A rare classic pickup, the limited edition of Ford F-150 SVT Lightning in 1993, is being auctioned off on the Bring A Trailer platform. What makes it interesting is that the odometer only records a distance of 150 miles (241 km), making it one of the most neatly stored units of its generation.

Currently, the highest offering has reached $66,000, with the remaining auction time still more than five days. This figure reflects the high interest of collectors in this historic vehicle.

The Ford F-150 SVT Lightning is a product of an era when automotive manufacturers dared to create unique and truly fun vehicles to drive. The model comes in response to Ford's 454 SS Chevrolet and Dodge Lil' Red Express, two legendary muscle truck icons of its time.

Launching CarBuzz, Friday, July 18, the pickup is said to be one of the first special performing vehicles born from Ford's newly formed Special Vehicle Team (SVT) division in its time. SVT, which is under Ford umbrella (a company founded by Henry Ford on June 16, 1903 and now led by CEO Jim Farley), takes the smallest and lightest F-150 as a base, then modifies significantly parts of the engine, suspension, brakes, and even strengthens its framework for better handling. Other special touches include the removal of all chromes, the addition of a unique front bumper with driving lights, and the replacement of a rear bumper with a sporty tubular model.

Behind the engine hood, SVT Lightning 1993 is equipped with a 5.8-liter V8 Windsor engine capable of ejecting 240 stances and a 340-feet torque. This figure is fairly superior to the 1993 standard. Even though it hasn't used superchargers like the second generation Lightning, which came in 1999, Ford has continued to provide improvements to the intake and several other minor changes to optimize performance.

In terms of handling and grip, Ford even collaborated with legendary racer Sir Jackie Stewart in its tuning. As a result, this full-size pickup with a body-on-frame framework offers a surprising good deal. Assistance from differential limited slips, lower suspensions, and larger Highway bars contributed to its maneuverability. The ratio of axle 4.10:1 also provides fast acceleration.

Although the odometer shows very low numbers, there are some interesting facts about the condition of this pickup. The CarFax report indicates that this pickup spent most of his life in Florida. There are traces of corrosion on the metal surface in the engine room, and it is even mentioned that there is a paint repair on the back as a result of fading. This suggests that the vehicle may not always be stored in a garage with perfect climate control.

In addition, this pickup's original tires have been replaced, and unfortunately, the original tires have been thrown away by the seller. Although 32-year-old tires are certainly no longer safe to use, for true collectors, originality details such as factory built-in tires have very important value.