Performance Review: Ford F-100 4.5 V8 - [1953]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford F-100 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford F-100 4.5 V8 is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1953. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1954 Jaguar D Type 3.4L and the 1953 Alfa-Romeo Disco Volante 1900 Touring Coupe.This particular Ford F-100 has a 4460cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The F-100 shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the F-100's Rear Wheel Drive, Pickup combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 2268 kgs (5000 lbs) this makes the Ford F-100 4.5 V8 in the same weight category as the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo or the give or take 50kg.

The Ford F-100 shares the same bhp with the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp)

In terms of power the 4460cc 16V V8 engine produces 167 bhp (124 kW) @ 4400 rpm similar to the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 260 lb-ft (352.5 Nm) @ 2100 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft) or the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Ford F-100 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2000 Alfa-Romeo 166 2.0 ts (98.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford F-100.

The Ford F-100 has a Power to weight ratio of 73.6 bhp per ton and 114.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1953 F-100 competing with the 2000 Alfa-Romeo 166 2.0 ts (98.5 bhp per ton) or the 1970 Ford Cortina MkIII 2000GT (98.0 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Ford F-100 generating around 114.6 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1977 Triumph Stag 3.0 V8 Convertible Mk2 (139.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 1963 Ford Cortina MkI Lotus Type 28 (139.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 20.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 20.7 secs, this made the Ford F-100 4.5 V8 as fast as the 1996 Hummer H1 6.5 V8 2 Door (20.10 secs) the 1950 Ford Zephyr 2.2 12v (21.10 secs) the 1992 Hummer H1 6.2 V8 4 Door (21.80 secs) the or the 1977 Skoda 105 S (22.00 secs). This Ford F-100 4.5 V8 is also faster than the 1996 Hummer H1 6.5 V8 2 Door (20.10 secs) the 1950 Ford Zephyr 2.2 12v (21.10 secs) the 1992 Hummer H1 6.2 V8 4 Door (21.80 secs) the and the 1977 Skoda 105 S (22.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the F-100 and the 1999 BMW Z3 2.8i Roadster

When talking about the performance of the Ford F-100 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 19.39 secs @ 70.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1999 BMW Z3 2.8i Roadster (19.30 secs), the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0 TDi SCR 4Motion (19.33 secs), and the 1964 Chevrolet Chevy II Nova SS 283 V8 Turbo Fire (19.34 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1953 version of the Ford F-100 4.5 V8 has a maximum speed of 65mph.

Top Speed of the 1953 F-100 equals the 1955 Peugeot 403 1500 (76 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1953 Ford F-100 4.5 V8 then how about the 1955 Peugeot 403 1500 (76 mph), the 1953 Fiat 1100 1.1L (76 mph), or the 1977 Ford Granada 2.1 Diesel (78 mph).

Related Links:

1953 F-100 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison