The F-150 Harley-Davidson SuperCab resulted from a strategic alliance between Ford and the legendary motorcycle manufacturer that spanned more than a decade and yielded several other co-branded vehicles.
One of the most popular special edition Ford vehicles was launched 25 years ago. A strategic alliance between Ford and another iconic American vehicle manufacturer, Harley-Davidson Motor Company, resulted in an F-150 and other F-Series products bearing the legendary motorcycle manufacturer’s name.
The two Midwest mainstay companies shared many similarities, and even a crossover customer base. Like Ford, Harley-Davidson was also founded in 1903. They were both founded with similar missions: making life easier through the use of motorized vehicles and forged what was originally a five-year alliance in 1999 as they approached their centennials. The tie-up was announced, appropriately, at the famed Daytona Beach Bike Week festivities in March of that year. The limited-edition F-150 Harley-Davidson SuperCab was later introduced in Sturgis, South Dakota.
‘Born in Detroit, Dressed in Milwaukee’
The “Born in Detroit, Dressed in Milwaukee truck” as it was called, emulated the famous motorcycles’ down to the wheels and the throaty growl of the exhaust. The F-150 Harley-Davidson SuperCab copied its namesake’s ground-hugging stance. The all-black truck further replicated the appearance through special badging and distinctive orange pinstriping and chrome accessories, as well as a flareside cargo box. It was the first production truck to include 20-inch wheels, and the Harley styling cues were evident in the truck’s aluminum, five-spoke wheels. The exhaust was specially tuned to recreate the signature Harley-Davidson sound. It included an SVT Lightning muffler with dual chrome exhaust tips.
