Truck Rewind: Ford Super Chief Concept – A Modern Luxury Super Duty from a Decade Ago

 

2006 ford super chief
2006 Ford Super Chief

The Ford Super Chief concept truck was introduced at the 2006 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, MI. Designed by Brad Clifton, the Ford Super Chief concept drew inspiration from the Super Chief streamline locomotives of the 1950s.

The luxurious and futuristic interior design pointed to the idea that the Ford Super Chief concept was more of a luxury truck than a work vehicle. This is a theme that resonates today considering vehicles like the newest 2018 Ford Super Duty Limited.

Underneath the bed, three hydrogen fuel tanks reside. They alone can provide up to 150 miles of range

It had an (up to) 550 horsepower “tri-flex fueling” supercharged V10 engine that could run on hydrogen, gasoline, or E85. While the powertrain was interesting, but never produced, the overall design of the Super Chief has a lot of similarities to the brand new Ford F-250 Limited trucks that recently debuted in Texas at the 2017 Texas State Fair.

These new trucks tip the financial scale nearing the $100,000 territory. In many ways, these vehicles, like the Ford Super Chief concept, represent a capable platform that’s crammed with more luxury than many contemporary luxury sedans. If you squint your eyes, you can see some of the design elements that the Ford Super Chief displayed many years back.

Sometimes, a good design and a far-fetched idea can inspire current-day design.

Nathan Adlen
Easily amused by anything with four wheels, Nathan Adlen reviews vehicles from the cheapest to the most prestigious. Wrecking yards, dealer lots, garages, racetracks, professional automotive testing and automotive journalism - Nathan has experienced a wide range of the automotive spectrum. Brought up in the California car culture and educated in theater, childhood education, film, journalism and history, Nathan now lives with his family in Denver, CO. His words, good humor and video are enjoyed worldwide.