Posted on 10/13/2026 11:23:17 AM PDT by Red Badger
Ford has a Mustang ute sitting in its Experimental Vehicle Building. I'd much rather see it in my driveway.
Despite being a die-hard DIY type with more ongoing projects than a film studio, I’m not what you’d call a “truck guy.” I appreciate them for their capabilities, but I’ve never really felt compelled to carve out driveway space for one. I’m a bit too high on horsepower and handling chops to get excited about big, practical pickups. But a ute, like this one-off Ford Mustang with a factory-engineered bed? In the immortal words of the sultan of Hatay, I even like the color.
In fact, this machine looks suspiciously similar to a Mustang GT350 R I drove several years ago. It could very well be; prototypes and press vehicles are often consigned to the crusher after their jobs are done. By comparison, giving one to some metal shop apprentices seems like a stay of execution.
The project gave apprentices the opportunity to hone their skills on their own concept vehicle. In place of the Mustang’s rear seat and ample trunk, there’s a surprisingly large pickup bed (parts of which were lifted from a production Ranger, Ford says). The students even fashioned the rear panel of the trunk into a makeshift tailgate, which you can see open here.
(Excerpt) Read more at thedrive.com ...
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Good one Bill!!!
And this little gem comes with the same crappy service record as other new Mustangs!!
$1,200 property tax annually??????.............
Behold! All things old are new again!..................
It always amazes me on threads like this how many people forget that auto companies make vehicles for people with a varieties of needs. Just because it doesn’t meet your needs doesn’t mean that it won’t meet the needs of someone down the block.
The big question is what will they name it?
1. Ranchtang
2. Mustero
Pinto II......................
Exactly. It’s a Ford Explorer Sport Trac with a lower view of the road.
THIS is a Jackass:
I’d rather have a ‘70-ish Ranchero with a supercharged 428 and a 4-speed stick. My childhood nextdoor neighbor had one. Now THAT was an awesome little truck!
The first thought when I saw this thread was,
“I wonder what my Tesla Model S would look like if it had that mod?”
The 2027 Ranchero!
The US automakers have deferred sedans to the foreign automakers. There isn't a lot of money to made selling cheap sedans and they don't want to compete in the mature luxury sedan market.
Plus the Brat has seats in the back to isolate the kids so they don’t bother you as you drive!
I love my (2) Muscle cars and my (2) Harleys, but for practicality I also have a 40+ year old GMC pick-up with de-smogged 350-4V for fetching stuff that my daily driver SUV can’t, won’t, or shouldn’t haul.
If you can fit inside it.
Looks like the reincarnation of the Ranchero.
Hard pass.
Why fornicate a mustang ...? Ford used to make a Ranchero(?) that was like the Chevy El Camino. Rumors that the El Camino may be coming back but no official announcement.
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