A Return to Fundamentals

Project Grey Goose is a deeply reengineered 1978 Ford F-150 built to retain the honest, utilitarian character of a late-1970s Ford pickup while delivering dramatically improved performance, comfort, and drivability. The truck preserves its original proportions, bench-seat cab layout, and classic presence, but beneath the surface it has been comprehensively rebuilt as a high-output, manual-transmission driver intended for regular, confident use.

Automatic To Authority

At its core, Grey Goose is a mechanical project first. The original automatic drivetrain was removed entirely and replaced with a fully rebuilt, high-performance FE-series V8 paired to a modern five-speed manual transmission. Converting the truck from automatic to manual required extensive drivetrain engineering, fabrication, and systems integration to ensure proper fitment, geometry, and long-term reliability. Supporting systems—including cooling, exhaust, braking, steering, electrical, and interior—were addressed as part of a complete, integrated build rather than isolated upgrades. The result is a classic Ford pickup that looks period-correct at a glance, but drives with modern confidence, engagement, and refinement.

Powertrain & Drivetrain

Grey Goose is powered by a fully rebuilt Ford FE-series 400ci V8, reworked internally for strength, reliability, and increased output. The engine was completely disassembled and machined, with the block bored and honed and fitted with new forged pistons, rings, wrist pins, bearings, and upgraded internals throughout. A performance camshaft and matched valvetrain components were installed alongside refreshed cylinder heads, new valves, seals, and timing components. The engine was dyno tested at over 400 horsepower, delivering a substantial increase in performance while retaining the character of the FE platform.

Power is delivered through a modern five-speed manual transmission, replacing the original automatic. This conversion required custom transmission mounting, a fabricated crossmember, driveline modification, and corrected driveline angles. A hydraulic clutch system was engineered and integrated, along with a reworked pedal box and linkage, resulting in a setup that feels intentional and factory-resolved rather than adapted.
Custom-fabricated headers feed into a custom stainless-steel dual exhaust system exiting at the sides, tuned for flow and sound without overpowering the cabin. Cooling is handled by an upgraded aluminum radiator and revised cooling system to support the increased output and real-world driving conditions.

Chassis, Steering & Braking

The drivetrain upgrades are supported by refreshed chassis systems throughout. Brakes were serviced and upgraded with new lines, hoses, and components to restore confident stopping power. The power steering system was fully serviced and tuned to provide predictable steering feel without sacrificing mechanical feedback. The engine bay was fully refurbished and refinished as part of the drivetrain work, presenting clean, organized systems throughout.

Interior Cabin & Upholstery

The interior of Project Grey Goose was not refreshed—it was fully undone and rebuilt. The truck arrived with non-original front seats that compromised both authenticity and comfort. These were removed entirely, and a correct, period-appropriate bench seat was sourced and installed. That bench was then fully disassembled, rebuilt, re-foamed, and upholstered to modern standards while preserving the original seating position and layout intended for the F-150.

The cab was taken down to bare metal and treated with full Dynamat sound and heat insulation, including the floor, firewall, transmission tunnel, rear cab wall, and doors. This labor-intensive process dramatically reduces noise, vibration, and heat transfer—an essential upgrade given the high-output V8 and custom exhaust—while remaining largely invisible once completed.

Upholstery work extended across the entire cabin. The bench seat, door panels, and interior trim were finished in custom two-tone leather, carefully patterned to maintain period-correct proportions and restrained stitching. The dashboard was fully leather-wrapped, replacing factory hard surfaces with a refined, tactile finish while retaining the original dash shape and control layout. Overhead, the roof panel was retrimmed in Alcantara, improving acoustics and visual warmth without introducing modern excess.

Driver touchpoints were upgraded throughout. A new leather-wrapped steering wheel improves ergonomics and grip, while a modern gauge cluster with updated sensors and wiring provides accurate, legible system monitoring. Climate comfort is handled by a fully integrated under-dash air-conditioning system, requiring custom ducting, electrical integration, and careful packaging to fit cleanly within the vintage cab.
Audio and connectivity were modernized discreetly. A Retrosound Bluetooth head unit maintains a period-correct appearance while enabling modern functionality. It is supported by an amplifier, subwoofer, and upgraded speakers, all concealed behind trim panels to preserve the simplicity of the interior.

Exterior & Final Integration

The truck bed was cleaned, prepped, and refinished with a durable protective coating. Doors were realigned and adjusted to close properly, addressing one of the most common shortcomings of aging pickups. Electrical systems throughout the vehicle were updated and integrated to support the drivetrain, climate control, audio, and instrumentation upgrades.
Extensive shakedown testing and road validation followed, ensuring all systems function cohesively and reliably as a complete vehicle.

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