Ford and Harley-Davidson Unveil Limited Edition F-150 Pickup Truck
11 August 1999
Authentic American Muscle: Ford and Harley-Davidson Unveil Limited Edition 2000 F-150 Pickup Truck STURGIS, S.D., Aug. 10 -- Ford Motor Company , in
partnership with Harley-Davidson Motor Company, today unveiled a limited
edition 2000 Harley-Davidson F-150 pickup truck at the 1999 Sturgis Rally &
Races, the premier annual motorcycle event that attracts 350,000 motorcyclists
from around the world.
The all-black truck, with distinctive Harley-Davidson orange pinstriping
and chrome accessories, is a restyled and customized version of the Ford F-
150. The F-Series has been America's best-selling pickup truck for the last
22 years and the world's best-selling vehicle in automotive history.
The new truck is the first product developed under a five-year strategic
alliance announced earlier this year between two American legends, Ford and
Harley.
"The Harley-Davidson F-150 is an exciting truck that has power and
presence, symbolizing the 'Authentic American Muscle' tradition of both
companies," said Gurminder S. Bedi, vice president, Ford Truck Vehicle Center.
"Many Harley owners also own Ford trucks," noted Bedi. "We believe
they'll want to park this truck next to their prized Harley-Davidson
motorcycle."
Bedi unveiled the new truck with Jeff Bleustein, Harley-Davidson chairman
and chief executive officer.
"This alliance brings together two of the most well-known and admired
companies in the world," said Bleustein. "Ford and Harley-Davidson customers
alike want a distinctive vehicle that makes a statement about themselves as
individuals."
The new Harley-Davidson F-150 is a black monochromatic 4X2 SuperCab pickup
with a flareside box topped by a hard shell tonneau cover riding on a 139-inch
chassis. It comes equipped with a 260 horsepower 5.4 liter Triton(TM) V-8
engine powering massive 20X9-inch five-spoke cast aluminum wheels and P275/45R
20 Goodyear Eagle GTII tires -- the first ever 20-inch wheels on a Ford
production vehicle.
Inside, the limited edition Harley-Davidson F-150 features the famous look
of Harley-Davidson accessories, including a dash ornament, black leather seats
and trim, a black leather accessory pouch on the center console and a unique
"spun metal" instrument cluster.
The exhaust has been specially tuned to resonate with a sound similar to
the distinctive "throaty" note of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, featuring a
SVT Lightning-tuned muffler ending in dual chrome 3 1/2-inch "slash cut"
exhaust tips.
The strategic alliance between Ford and Harley-Davidson was announced in
March 1999 during the world-famous "Bike Week" in Daytona Beach, Fla.
The five-year partnership provides the opportunity for the two companies
to jointly develop and market exciting products, like the limited edition
Harley-Davidson F-150. The alliance will include celebrations of each
company's centennial in 2003.
In addition, the strategic alliance includes Ford technical support and
sponsorship of Harley's MBNA Superbike racing program.
The Harley-Davidson F-150 will be manufactured at Ford's Ontario Truck
Plant in Oakville, Ontario, and is expected to be in Ford dealer showrooms in
spring 2000. Production volume and the manufacturer's suggested retail price
will be announced at a later date.
Harley-Davidson Motor Company produces heavyweight motorcycles and offers
a complete line of motorcycle parts, accessories, apparel and general
merchandise. Buell Motorcycle Company produces sport and sport-touring
motorcycles. Eaglemark Financial Services, Inc., provides wholesale and
retail financing, insurance and credit card programs to Harley-Davidson
dealers and customers and similar programs for other leisure product
manufacturers.
Ford Motor Company is the world's second largest automaker with
manufacturing and distribution operations in over 200 countries across the
world. Its automotive brands are Ford, Mercury, Lincoln, Jaguar, Mazda and
Aston Martin. Its automotive-related products and services include Hertz,
Visteon, Quality Care and Ford Credit.
