There’s something special about showing up to a client meeting in a perfectly restored 1955 Ford F-100. It’s not exactly subtle, but that’s kind of the point.
For us at Ford Design Group, our silver beauty (lovingly dubbed the “Brand Wagon”) is way more than just a cool ride. It’s a conversation piece, a passion project, and honestly, a pretty perfect representation of how we do business.
Ten Years? Yeah, Ten Years.
Here’s the thing about restoring a classic truck: you can’t rush it. And we didn’t even try.
Over ten years (yes, you read that right), we worked with a rotating cast of talented mechanics, fabricators, and craftspeople to bring this F-100 back to life. But calling it a restoration doesn’t quite capture it. This truck has been reimagined. The custom grille, those sharp modern headlights, the pristine engine bay with its eye catching blue air filter… every detail got the attention it deserved.
Check out that truck bed. Those aren’t just any wood slats thrown in there. The contrasting wood tones and clean metal work? That’s the kind of thoughtfulness that separates a project from a project.
Trophy Time in Wilmington
Last Saturday, the Brand Wagon made its way to an All Ford Car & Truck show in Wilmington, North Carolina. And yeah, we came home with some hardware.
Those blue ribboned trophies sitting on the dash aren’t just for show (okay, they’re totally for show, but in the best way). They’re proof that when you put in the work… real work, over years, not months… people notice.
But here’s what’s cool: for us, those trophies aren’t really the point. They’re nice validation, sure, but the real win is having something that represents who we are and what we stand for.
Why Drive a 70 Year Old Truck to Meet Clients?
Good question. These days, plenty of companies show up in the latest model lease, something shiny and new that’ll be traded in for next year’s version. Nothing wrong with that, but it doesn’t exactly tell a story.
The Brand Wagon gets people talking. It breaks the ice. When we pull up in a pristine ’55 F-100, we’re not just another contractor or vendor. We’re someone who clearly appreciates craftsmanship, someone who understands that real quality doesn’t come from an assembly line churning out cookie cutter designs.
This truck has character. Every curve, every custom detail, every carefully chosen modification tells you something about the people who built it. We’re not about quick fixes or shortcuts. We’re about doing it right, even if it takes a decade.
And that’s exactly how we’ve built our business. Most of our work comes from word of mouth, people telling other people, “You should talk to these guys.” Just like the car community, where reputations are built at shows, in garages, and around parking lot conversations, not through flashy billboards.
The truck is basically a mobile handshake, a rolling introduction that says, “We take pride in what we do.”
What’s Next?
The Brand Wagon will keep making appearances at shows and client visits around the region. Each time it rolls out, it’s a reminder that some things just can’t be rushed, whether you’re building a business or rebuilding a classic Ford.
Plus, let’s be honest, it’s way more fun than showing up in a generic company sedan.