If you think the Ford Explorer was born as a suburban family SUV, think again. Long before it became the king of cul-de-sacs, Ford secretly built a concept so strange and brilliant that it feels like a fever dream from an alternate automotive timeline. The 1973 Ford Explorer Concept was a mid-engined pickup truck with a pop-up tent built into the bed. Let’s dive into the story behind it!
A Vision From the Future
The early 1970s were a golden age for experimentation. Automakers were chasing bold ideas, wedge-shaped cars, gullwing doors, and futuristic interiors that looked straight out of Star Trek. Ford’s designers decided it was time to reimagine the pickup truck, not as a workhorse, but as a stylish machine for adventurers. So they dreamed up the Explorer SUV Concept, a cab-forward, mid-engine truck with a massive bed and an integrated camping tent. It looked nothing like any Ford on the road:
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A sleek, aerodynamic front with the cabin pushed far forward.
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The 429 cubic-inch V8 engine (yes, a big-block beast), mounted behind the seats, just like a race car.
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A 110-inch-long cargo bed that could fit everything from a motorcycle to a full camp setup.
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A parawing-style tent that popped out of the bed like a futuristic camper shell.
It was half truck, half spaceship, and all attitude.
Built for Adventure Before “Overlanding” Was Cool
Today, the world is obsessed with overlanding, trucks with rooftop tents, modular beds, and self-contained camping gear. But back in 1973, Ford was already there. The Explorer Concept came with a fully integrated camping system: a deployable tent canopy, sleeping space, and storage for gear. It wasn’t just a truck; it was a mobile adventure base, decades ahead of its time. In a world still obsessed with muscle cars, Ford dared to think about lifestyle vehicles, something meant not for drag strips but for mountain trails and beach sunsets.
The Radical Engineering and Specs
Here’s what made the 1973 Ford Explorer Concept so insane (and so special):
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Engine: 429 CID Ford V8 (mounted midship for balance and weight distribution)
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Layout: Mid-engine, rear-wheel drive
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Cargo Bed: 110.7 in x 65.4 in, massive even by today’s standards
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Tent: Fold-out parawing shelter integrated into the bed
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Interior: Orange shag carpet, AM/FM radio, four-speaker overhead console (because vibes mattered)
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Paint: Pearlescent orange finish, pure 1970s magic
Ford described it as a “test bed for future truck engineering ideas.” In hindsight, it was also a blueprint for the adventure truck revolution we’re seeing now.
Why the 1973 Ford Explorer Concept Never Reached Production
Sadly, this wild dream didn’t survive reality. The mid-engine layout was exotic, expensive, and complicated. Servicing the V8 would have been a nightmare for mechanics used to front-engine trucks. Then came the 1973 oil crisis, when gas prices soared and consumers abandoned thirsty V8s for smaller, more efficient vehicles. The Explorer Concept, with its bold lines and muscle-car heart, simply didn’t fit the mood. So Ford shelved it. And as with many concept cars, it quietly vanished, likely scrapped after the auto show circuit.
Legacy: The Explorer Name Lives On
Nearly two decades later, Ford resurrected the “Explorer” name, but not for a wild mid-engine pickup. Instead, it became a family-friendly SUV that defined the 1990s and sold millions worldwide. Still, there’s a poetic twist here: the original Explorer was designed for explorers, literal adventurers, not commuters. It embodied freedom, risk, and the open road. And while the production Explorer found commercial success, the 1973 concept remains the cooler cousin, the outlaw of the family tree.
Images: Tumblr
