Several vehicles built and driven by the legendary Ken Block are reunited at the Petersen Automotive Museum. Racers like the “Hoonicorn,” which is a all-wheel-drive 1965 Ford Mustang are on display, along with the 1977 Ford F-150 “Hoonitruck” that was built in the same vein as its muscle car brethren. Ron Zaras, a friend of the late Ken Block, dropped by the Petersen to visit the Hoonitruck, taking a camera along with him to show off the unique build.
Zaras worked directly with Block and the Hoonigan team as their social media specialist for years, so he knows some of these vehicles both inside and out. Zaras explains the work that went into the 1977 Ford F-150 Hoonitruck, and he admits that most of the vehicle is no longer original. It went under the knife to become the Gymkhana powerhouse it is today.
Block specially selected the 1977 Ford F-150 t0 be the donor truck for his project in part because it was one of the first vehicles he remembered his father driving, and in part because Hoonigan was allied with Ford at the time. Ford wanted to push the “brand new” Ford F-150, but Block and Hoonigan fought to bring the the classic pickup to life instead. It worked out just fine, because the engine under the hood is lifted right from the Ford GT development program, showcasing the automaker’s high-performance powerhouse.
Zaras says that the twin-turbocharged engine did present some issues. Block had to work with a narrower power band, a wider truck, and wide tires, which made it a difficult vehicle to sling around. In turn, that just makes the Gymkhana videos that much more impressive.
Block’s family attempted to buy the Hoonitruck back after it had changed hands, but unfortunately lost the auction, although the new owner has graciously allowed it to be displayed at the Petersen Museum. Aside from the Hoonicorn, other vehicles on display include the 1994 Ford Escort RS Cosworth, nicknamed the Cossie V2, and more.
Vaughn Gittin Jr. recently sat down and made a similar video to the one regarding the 1977 Ford F-150, revealing what went into the Hoonicorn Mustang development.
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