Pickups, Broncos Get Boost at Fabulous Fords Forever Show

IMG_6699 II

By Richard Truesdell

One of the premier car shows on the West Coast, the 2017 Annual Fabulous Fords Forever took place April 30 on Knott's Berry Farm in in Buena Park Calif. For this 32nd annual event, more than 200 Ford-focused car clubs participated, displaying 1,641 Fords, Mercurys and Lincolns. They ranged from seven Model T's and six Model A's to the 2017 Ford GT, and in size from the subcompact Fiesta and Focus ST to commercial trucks.

Cars came from at least eight different states — Arizona, California, Idaho, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Texas and Utah — and British Columbia and Mexico. Mustangs made up the largest single group of display vehicles (1,030) and Broncos came in second (85) followed by F-Series pickup trucks (55) and F-150 SVT Lightning pickups (53).

With Ford gearing up to produce the 2020 Bronco SUV, the Broncos at the show caught our eye. We must admit that we're most drawn to original restorations, but many of the extensively modified Broncos were noteworthy as well.

Pickups were set off from the main show and what was interesting in this display, beyond its diversity, were the numerous F-Series trucks that were assembled Mexico. Ford assembled F-Series pickups in Cuautitlan, Mexico, from 1970 to 2010, when the plant was retooled to produce the Fiesta as a cost-saving measure by Ford. Two of these Mexican-built F-Series trucks stood out: a beautiful, original 1975 Ford F-100 displayed by Roberto Silva and an impressive modified, big-wheeled 1980 Ford F-100 owned by Oscar Estrada.

Ford trucks from the 1950s and 1960s long have been popular with custom truck builders. At this show we came across one of the wildest we've ever seen: a tilt-nose 1969 Ford F-250 owned by Danny Costa. Another of our other favorites was an old-school early F-Series sporting an anti-trailer-queen decal on its passenger-side vent window.

Cars.com photos by Richard Truesdell and Mark Williams

 

IMG_6703 II

02 Bronco lineup DSC_3836 II

06 Patriotic Ford Bronco pickup rear view DSC_3819 II

09 Unknown owner Bronco pickup DSC_3834 II

15 1969 Ford F250 owned by Danny Costa DSC_3951 II

IMG_6730 II

IMG_6729 II

IMG_6735 II

IMG_6711 II

IMG_6707 II

IMG_6706 II

IMG_6709 II

IMG_6713 II

IMG_6714 II

IMG_6716 II

IMG_6717 II

IMG_6719 II

IMG_6718 II

IMG_6720 II

IMG_6722 II

IMG_6724 II

IMG_6726 II

18 1961 Ford F-100 owned by Todd Jackman DSC_3971 II

17 1954 Ford F-100 owned by Jerry and Christie Spear DSC_3955 II

13 1980 Ford F100 owned by Oscar Estrada DSC_3942 II

23 2012 Ford Raptor owned by Troy Gallagher DSC_3911 II

19 1993 Ford F150 Lightning owned by M. Rojas DSC_3928 II

IMG_6693 II

IMG_6753 II

IMG_6754 II

IMG_6755 II

IMG_6749 II

 

Comments

Love the old broncos.

Awesome event.

very nice trip down memory lane.

My dad had a 64 F100 4x4 with 4 on the floor, granny low.

I wish I had that truck.

Never seen so many ugly truck.

big crowds for Ford as usual!

Sheesh! Talk about overkill! Yes, the mod-jobs are impressive feats of art, but I wouldn't want to own any of them. The one that looked like a survivor (though may itself be a custom job) was to me the winner of the show.

Love the late '60s bronco. The next gen should take its styling cues from that generation - IMHO

Great Car Show!!!

Like those old trucks. Bravo!

I'd own this one because I am overcompensating for something.

http://cars.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b3c669e201b7c8f649d1970b-800wi

Like those old trucks. Bravo!

Like those old trucks. Bravo!

Like those old trucks. Bravo!

Like those old trucks. Bravo!

Like those old trucks. Bravo!

One word...Beautiful trucks, memory lane & wish I had my dad's '66 F100, '74 F100 super cab & '78 Bronco...best teenage years learning how to drive in these Ford trucks!!! :-))

Best trucks ever!!!

49 Ford F-100 was da bomb and still is... my first vehicle I drove when I was 12, starter button on the floor...most new trucks wooud not last a day on the farm..

Never seen so many ugly truck.


Posted by: uglyfords | May 10, 2017 8:00:32 AM


You forgot to use your real name.

See below, I fixed it for you.


-----------------------------


Never seen so many ugly truck.


Posted by: GMRSGREAT | May 10, 2017 8:00:32 AM

@gms, sorry you cant have your own Chevy show where they highlight how things haven't changed in 30 years and are currently a third place finisher in truck wars.

I'd own this one because I am overcompensating for something.

http://cars.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b3c669e201b7c8f649d1970b-800wi
Posted by: Sierra | May 10, 2017 10:01:42 AM

lol. That's Frank's truck HAHAHAHA!

I'd own this one because I am overcompensating for something.

http://cars.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b3c669e201b7c8f649d1970b-800wi
Posted by: Sierra | May 10, 2017 10:01:42 AM

lol. That's Frank's truck HAHAHAHA!


Posted by: Sierra GS | May 10, 2017 11:44:31 AM

Yep, and it's your mom and I in the bed all night. :D

Good thing they made it only Fords. Just one GM blazer/truck or just one Ram/Ram charger would of draw them thousands of people from that Ford garbage.

The President should of done the US a big favor and drop 59 tomahawks on all that unsafe Ford garbage at that show.

johnny doeby forgot to take his med school again😶

johnny doeby forgot to take his med school again😶


Posted by: Lio | May 10, 2017 1:52:42 PM


He's not on medication, that's just how he was born. Know what I mean.

Half cab Broncos were so sweet! Even if they were miserable to actually drive...

I like all the pre 80's trucks. Anything after that are all junk.

Shut up Johnny Doh!

Hi sir or madam : looking for someone to finish restoring my 1956 Ford pickup truck . Sincerely, Jeff

Never seen so many ugly truck.


Posted by: uglyfords | May 10, 2017 8:00:32 AM


You forgot to use your real name.
See below, I fixed it for you.


-----------------------------


Never seen so many ugly truck.


Posted by: Frank| May 10, 2017 8:00:32 AM

This must be the party where only the UGLY are allowed. Sure have a good turn out.

stay away from Hawk Ford oaklawn,IL one of my techs brought his van in for service and a mechanic on their staff stole his tools the dealership refuses to do anything about it.

Where were all the trailers parked that hauled those Fords to this event?Everyone is usually in a good mood at an event like this and don' t mind helping push these Fords around the event grounds. Organizers forgot the battery booster packs this year.

Wow, look at all the raised hoods. This has to be a Ford event. LOL!

Wow, look at all the raised hoods. This has to be a Ford event. LOL!


Posted by: GMSRGREAT | May 11, 2017 8:29:12 AM


IDIOCRACY! Great movie, such a reflection with this guy.

Keep up the good work meng!!!

Wow, look at all the raised hoods. This has to be a Ford event. LOL!


Posted by: GMSRGREAT | May 11, 2017 8:29:12 AM


IDIOCRACY! Great movie, such a reflection with this guy.

Keep up the good work meng!!!

Ahh a US Car company with true pedigree. Yes there are dark spots... the Edsel, the Pinto, but ALL car companies have those. But then you look at the BIG picture and everyday life and wow. Ford brought the assembly line to auto manufacturing, Ford made the car affordable for most Americans, Ford brought wages, 8hr day and weekends off to manufacturing, Ford has Greenfield VIlliage, Ford has 3 of the top 10 best selling cars of all time in the world, Ford has the best selling truck in the US 40+ years running, Ford has NEVER gone bankrupt, been bailed out, sold, traded or given away, Ford has made the highest performance American car every produced by a mainstream manufacturer, Ford has the most epic of all LeMans victories, Ford was the first US company to sell a rebadged by the Japanese for sale, Ford brought modern materials and engines to light duty trucks... Its a Ford world... GM and Fiatler just kinda get by in it somedays...

No No Clint, didn't you know GM invented everything including the damn wheel.

No Clint you're wrong, wrong, wrong.


LMFAO!

@Clint: stop that wishful thinking and go back to work. People are waiting for their big macs.

@Clint: stop that wishful thinking and go back to work. People are waiting for their big macs.

Posted by: GMSRGREAT | May 11, 2017 3:19:23 PM

@ Clint: GMSUCKS is actually talking about his buddy johnny doeby...oh wait; I mean himself...LOL

Not all F-Series pickups during the time period mentioned in the article were assembled in Mexico. Most F-150's were assembled at the Ford / Kansas City (MO) plant.



The comments to this entry are closed.