With talks of an EV future, it’s undeniable that the automotive world is changing rapidly. For many, this is exciting. For others, it’s a tad overwhelming. Sometimes there is comfort—great feelings of nostalgia—in stepping back some 30 years to a time when the 1993 Ford F-150 SVT Lightning was brand new. Honestly, the regular cab, short wheelbase, two-wheel drive performance pickup would get its butt spanked by pretty much everything on the full-size truck market today, but back then, the special Ford Lightning Package was as revolutionary as today’s EVs. The highly coveted old-body-style (OBS) Ford Lightning will forever be remembered as Ford’s beloved OG sport truck, engineered by the Ford Special Vehicle Team (SVT).
The year was 1993, and the SVT Ford F-150 Lightning was Ford’s entry into the performance sport truck market. Its relatively short lifespan that totaled nine years (the first-gen running from 1993-1995 followed by the rounder-bodied second-gen from 1999-2004) would make it all the more desirable. The Lightning nameplate has since been revived as Ford’s electric F-150.
The first-gen F-150 Lightning SVT was powered by a big ol’ naturally aspirated 351-cu-in 5.8-liter Windsor V-8 that was modded up enough to result in 240 hp and 340 lb-ft of torque, a bump of 25 hp and 15 lb-ft of torque over the non-Lightning F-150. It had special suspension bits that made it lower for sportier handling, and an air dam with foglamps functionally jazzed up the front end. Among a host of Lightning-specific features, the truck was graced with killer Lightning exterior graphics and embroidered headrests inside reminded owners that the SVT Lightning Package was a notch above the ordinary F-150.
For the full story, check out this article from Motor Trend.
