Once, manufacturers and buyers saw Pickups as workhorses. They focused solely on practicality and load-carrying capacity, with comfort and performance low on the list of requirements. But times change, as this 1999 Ford F-150 SVT Lightning shows. Its interior is loaded with luxury touches, while its supercharged V8 packs a punch. What makes this Lightning special is its odometer reading: the Pickup has covered a mere 5,746 miles. It presents in as-new condition, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Rocco B. for spotting it listed here at Eddy’s Chevrolet Cadillac in Wichita, Kansas, for $79,674.
The Tenth Generation, released for the 1997 model year, represented Ford’s first complete redesign of its F-Series commercial range since 1979. It was a bold move, but it gave vehicles like the F-150 more modern styling and provided a more refined driving experience. In 1999, Ford handed the F-150 to SVT to produce a high-performance Lightning variant with distinctive looks and a long list of creature comforts. It wasn’t the first time, with SVT releasing a Lightning from 1993 to 1995. The 1999 Sales Brochure confirms buyers could choose from three paint shades, and this Lightning’s first owner selected Bright Red Clearcoat. The package also included a unique front fascia and grilles, integrated fog lights, lower body moldings, a flareside bed, and unique 18″ alloy wheels. Our featured F-150 presents in as-new condition, which is unsurprising given its four-figure odometer reading. The paint has a mirror shine, the panels are free of bumps and bruises, and the wheels have no stains or marks. Part of the Lightning package was a 1″ ride height drop, giving the F-150 a more aggressive stance. The plastic is in good condition, and the glass is excellent.
SVT didn’t focus purely on aesthetics when developing the Lightning. The company gave the F-150 muscle credentials that still stack up well twenty-seven years after this classic left the line. Lifting the hood reveals the 5.4-liter SOHC “Triton” V8. Equipped with fuel injection, a supercharger, and an intercooler, it produces a factory-quoted 360hp and 440 ft/lbs of torque. SVT teamed the V8 with a four-speed automatic transmission, power steering, and four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes. Ford wasn’t coy about quoting performance figures, with the Sales Brochure indicating a 0-60 time of 6.2 seconds and a ¼-mile ET of 14.6 seconds. The seller claims that this Lightning has a genuine 5,746 miles on its odometer, and the condition makes that figure plausible. Although not stated specifically, it appears to be a turnkey proposition.
The 1999 SVT Lightning featured an interior trimmed in Medium Graphite cloth with Ebony leather accents on the seats and door trims, regardless of the exterior paint shade. Buyers also received dual airbags as standard equipment, along with air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, a power driver’s seat, cruise control, a leather-wrapped tilt wheel, and a premium AM/FM radio/cassette player. This Lightning’s interior is extremely impressive. It shows evidence of use on the driver’s seat, but it is consistent with the odometer reading. There’s no genuine wear, no marks, and no aftermarket additions. It is as close to showroom-fresh as you are likely to find.
Price can be a determining factor in sales success, as this 1999 Ford F-150 SVT Lightning shows. Its presentation seems faultless, and I doubt many similar examples have such a low odometer reading. The reality is that it needs to be perfect to justify the price, which is far beyond the market average. We have probably all seen examples of enthusiasts allowing their hearts to rule their heads, choosing to pay a premium to own the classic of their dreams. That will probably need to be the case for this Lightning to find a new home. Do you agree?
I have to say Adam…. WOW!!! This has to be the nicest SVT Lightning we’ve seen here on Barnfinds. This truck would quite litterally eat a lot of performance cars for lunch. The only drawback, if it is indeed a drawback, is its such low miles, and so nice, I’d be affraid of driving it, or damaging it.. Great write up Adam!!! And a great find too Rocco!!! Really nice!!!
Thank you so much for the kind words, Driveinstile. I admit that I’ve never genuinely aspired to own a Pickup, but I would make an exception for this Lightning. I suspect its new owner will only drive it occasionally, probably to shows or a local Cars & Coffee. I don’t think I could be that restrained!
Me neither!!! Way too tempting to drive this thing and have a blast with it!!!
These Lightnings have risen to the top of the collectible truck, performance model category. They look cool and have enough performance enhancements to make them legit. A co-worker had one and took me for a brief ride, I was impressed. Big bucks.
Thanks Adam.
I’d rather pay $80K for this than anything the big 3 are peddling now.
more than likely this was a trade in, on what i could not imagine maybe a vette. sure, is clean. if you were looking for this truck this would be the 1 to buy.
Buyer beware in dealing with any of the Eddy’s stores in Wichita. I worked in their organization for 3 years.
Each to their own!! This is a niche truck that is only good for a trophy hunting top level shower.. Granted it is an excellent example for that use, but it does NOT trip my trigger..
Nice truck!! The owner must have been a big person… Look at the bolster on the drivers seat…
Nice looking truck. Looks able and ready without being at all cartoonish. Big bucks but no resto required.
Would love to have it, but the price is more than I paid for my house back in 1993. Too big of pill to swallow.
All my vehicles (four Toyotas from the golden age) do not cost as much as this truck)!
I personally think the big three and even Toyota and Nissan need to get back to building two door trucks, if I had this it would probably be losing value because I would be driving it, almost daily
You’re right, four door pickups are so “unnatural”. I prefer standard cabs, or extended cab.
The big 3 domestic manufacturers all make 2 door regular cab pickups. If customers really wanted them you’d see more around.
I’ve always had 2dr, short bed full sized domestic pickups, they suit my needs. Occasionally an extended cab would come in more handy, but I’m not going to get rid of what I know and have based on that.
Steve R
“Wuss truck” for those who don’t know what a truck if for and never get their fingernails dirty. But, boy, do they know how to “patch out!”
Sheer silliness.
Actually, it’s really just a hot SUV with a birth defect.
In my racing days my crew chief had a Lightning in about 1995. I never thought it was a good truck, until I drove it. I was thinking at the time if it were mine, I’d have a thousand speeding tickets!
i will take a standard cab 8ft bed 2wd any day. took me a while to find 1 when i bought my 16 GMC.
Isn’t the 5.4 liter engine the one that blows spark plugs out of the heads? If it is, I imagine that super charger doesn’t help keep them in.
Not kicking the truck. It looks like new. Someone with more money than brains will buy it.