"It's manual steering, manual brakes, manual transmission. This thing is a riot to drive. You're not texting and driving when you're driving this," said Craig Lopresti with a laugh. Craig, better known by his YouTube channel name TheCraig909, has owned this 1971 Ford F-100 since he was in high school. It started out as a project with his dad, but now it has transformed into a 500-horsepower tire-shredding machine powered by a NASCAR-inspired, carbureted Ford 302ci small block. In a recent episode with AutotopiaLA, Craig discusses the truck's modifications and takes it out on the streets of LA.
The Story of TheCraig909's F-100
For more backstory on how the truck got to where it is now, and a detailed list of engine components, check out our previous article, "Fast & Loud: TheCraig909's 1971 Ford F-100."
The short version is that it's powered by a 302ci small block V8 that's bored .040 over, rebuilt with forged internals, cammed, and equipped with a high-flow carburetor. This engine is paired with a Tremec TKX manual transmission, twin-disc clutch, and lightweight flywheel. The drivetrain is completed with a QA1 carbon fiber driveshaft and fully-built 9-inch rear end.
The interior features Mustang bucket seats, which were a rare option on these trucks, as well as Autometer gauges surrounded by a turned aluminum panel. Many other interior components are original-style reproduction parts which Craig installed himself. For example, he sourced the window crank arms, knobs, and window regulators from Classic Industries.
The truck's exterior still wears its original body panels clad in faded Wimbledon White paint. Craig says he likes the patina and he'll never repaint it, but he did replace some of the aging exterior emblems and side markers with new components.
To lean into the NASCAR look, Craig installed Bart D-window 15x10-inch wheels on all four corners. Since the original four-wheel drum brakes were potentially dangerous on a truck with this much power, he modified a set of 1973 F-100 disc brakes to fit the front end. The suspension is mostly stock, with an I-beam front suspension and flipped leaf springs in the rear.
Our favorite part about this truck is how it sounds. The roar of the high-revving small block resonates through modified headers, Black Widow mufflers, and a 2.5-inch X pipe that exits in front of the rear wheels. The result truly does sound like an old-school NASCAR.
As seen on the test drive Craig took with AutotopiaLA, this F-100 is a raucous good time. Craig smashed the right pedal and smoked the tires all the way through third gear, letting bystanders hear the song of its high-revving small block. Watch the video below to hear for yourself:
Looking for Ford Truck Restoration Parts?
Classic Industries offers thousands of restoration parts for classic 1932-2017 Ford trucks, including the F-100, F-150, and F-250. These parts range from small emblems all the way to crate motors, transmissions, and suspension systems. Click the button below to browse our selection of Ford truck parts:
