It’s no surprise that I have, so far, thoroughly enjoyed Velocity Restorations products. Their Ford Bronco, Mustang, and Chevy Blazer are rolling art pieces that love to rip to 60 from a standstill with as much drama as possible. They can take a fair amount of abuse, and just keep asking for more. Every time I get behind the wheel, I walk away impressed as Velocity continues to refine and perfect their process.
Restomoding vehicles is no easy task to begin with (if you want to do it right). Making a full line of products originating from different brands and using different parts, but making them drive with a signature feel is borderline impossible. Not for Velocity. I’ve come to expect them to drive a certain way, and exude a certain attitude/character. The Velocity F-100 is no different, and certainly does not disappoint.
In order to provide you with an honest and unbiased review, the vehicle reviewed in this article was driven on a daily basis throughout the course of daily life for a period of one week. For detailed insight into testing procedures and data collection, please review our methodology policy.
1970 Velocity Ford F-100 First Impressions
I adore this truck, and so does everyone else watching from the side of the road. Just like all Velocity products, it properly snaps the necks of passers-by. Its aggressive stance, near-perfect paint, combination of period correct, and modern interpreted upgrades makes for a visually impressive automobile. A peek inside only makes you smile more as it perfectly strikes the balance between approachable and sinister. With its black on black on black paint, interior, and wheel combination, this particular Velocity F-100 gives all the attitude, but wrapped up in a fairly comfy, and inviting package.
That’s all before it even fires up. A twist of the key and the Coyote 5.0-liter V-8 roars to life with the spin of the familiar Ford V-8 starter sound. The sound of the engine itself is so appropriately lopey, and thanks to a bespoke exhaust system finely tuned by Velocity, I’m hearing everything I want to and nothing I don’t. It never emits drone, but rather a crisp hum at low speeds, and a screeching howl at its over 7,000 RPM redline. The Velocity Ford F-100 is a thrill at first glance, while driving it at any speed, all the way until you park it and walk away, inevitably looking back to make sure what you just experienced was real life.
Driving Impressions And Performance
The F-100 has that Velocity secret sauce. It might just be the best driver of the lineup. With massively wide wheels and Michelin PS4S rubber to put all the power down, the F-100 drives more like a muscle car than an old pickup. It’s fast when you want it to be, but slow and steady when you need it to be. Motivation, similarly to the Bronco from Velocity, comes in the form of the Coyote 5.0-liter V-8, and it’s as strong as ever, feeling very at home in the F-100. It looks like a gorgeous, but powerful street truck, and that’s exactly how it drives. It glides down the road with poise.
Velocity’s F-100 possesses the company’s best steering. Ride quality is equally appropriate, giving compliance where necessary, but rigidity where desired. It can be a touch crashy in some driving situations, but the performance trade-off is more than worth it. It’s a well sorted chassis that I felt all-too-comfortable in while commuting around town. It’s playful in nature and oddly so, because my brain can’t compute that a truck this old can be so sporty. Then again, it’s not actually a 1970s truck underneath, rather, a completely bespoke chassis. Suspension, drivetrain/driveline, brakes, and component geometry have been swapped out for a top-notch modern performance upgrade.
Braking And Acceleration
Velocity is a master at recreating the feel of a thundering V-8 and the blast of chasing redline, but in a modern and reliable way. The 10-speed automatic is quick to shift at low throttle application, but lets the truck soar to redline, seemingly bouncing off the rev-limiter, but in reality it’s just shifting through ultra-close ratios. It’s like I always say; It’s called “Velocity” for a reason. Careful calibration of the throttle means a very linear torque delivery that translates to easy cruising around town, but when you ask for wide open throttle, there is no delay like most modern cars. With the Velocity F-100, ask, and you shall receive speed, ASAP.
Acceleration, like all
Velocity vehicles
, is outrageous. It isn’t so much about how quickly you achieve 60 miles per hour as much as you experience the drama of doing so.
Braking is impressive on the Velocity F-100. With an aggressive Baer performance braking system utilizing 6-piston calipers. The effortless power and strength of the brakes make the Velocity F-100 feel light, at least more nimble than a classic Ford pickup should feel. This is getting into wizardry territory. This was my first Velocity truck on sports car tires, and that helped the ride/handling/braking immensely. Sure, there is a time and place for larger mud tires, but this F-100 was meant to be a driver, and it feels it.
Performance Specifications
|
Engine |
5.0-Liter V-8 |
|
Transmission |
10-Speed Automatic |
|
Horsepower |
460HP @ 7,000 RPM |
|
Torque |
420LB-FT @ 4,600 RPM |
|
0-60 MPH |
~5.0 Seconds |
|
Top Speed |
>100 MPH |
Interior Design And Comfort
The interior of the Street Series equipped F-100 is a remarkably pleasant place in which to cruise around in. The upgraded leather, both on the seats, which are quilted, and on the steering wheel, which adds some thickness and shape, are both welcome additions. Velocity prioritizes keeping the interior design as close to period correct as possible while still offering today’s best creature comforts. They have sourced electronics and components that retain original designs but work digitally to provide a reliable functioning interior.
Visibility is very good in the F-100, rendering the pretty billet aluminum side mirrors nearly unnecessary. I typically complain about Velocity’s use of average seating, but the bench seat in the F-100 is totally appropriate, and leaves more than enough room for driver and passenger to be comfortable. Legroom is a plus too, with plenty of space in the footwell to stretch out if needed.
Technology And Ease Of Use
A great perk of Velocity vehicles is the integration of Apple CarPlay. Yes, of course, you can have the standard classic looking stereo system with Bluetooth integration, done by Retrosound. I personally value CarPlay too much not to have it, so the small screen doesn’t take away from the otherwise incredibly accurate recreation of the original Ford interior.
Below the infotainment screen is a tiny HVAC display that allows for quick adjustment of temperature, fan speed and airflow direction. This system is integrated courtesy of Vintage Air. It’s often the lack of a proper HVAC system that turns drivers off from owning a vintage vehicle, but that’s no problem in a Velocity product. The air blows cold, and the heater provides warmth when needed. It’s a system you can comfortably rely on.
Cargo And Storage Space
Because of the single-cab configuration, the F-100’s cargo capacity consists of a small glove compartment. That, and of course, the cargo bed that is protected with a spray in bedliner. This is plenty of space for a flashy grocery-getter, or even a massive paddle board, as shown in the photo. Velocity’s vehicles are perfect for coastal living, whether its cruising down the coastline, or hauling a board to the beach. The reliability of them allows for carefree driving, whether hauling cargo, or just hauling ass.
Our Recommendation For Which Model You Should Buy
If you’re going to commit to a $280,000 restored classic, presumably to be used as a toy anyway, you might as well cough up the extra 60 grand and go for the Street Series. It might be a spendy upgrade, but for that you get optional two-tone paint inside and out. A bespoke interior with upgraded quilted leather seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, special billet aluminum trim pieces inside and out are also a part of the package. Apple CarPlay with an integrated, upgraded screen is included with the Street Series pack. Performance upgrades include racier 19-inch front and 20-inch rear Forgeline wheels, and the all-important Baer 6-piston braking system.
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