2005 Ford V8 Sport Trac Concept, Long Overlooked, Emerges for Sale in Immaculate Condition

      Jeff Maltese via Facebook

      The Ford Explorer Sport Trac, a compact truck derived from Ford’s well-known SUV, was introduced around the time that four-door pickups were becoming increasingly popular as everyday vehicles. It nearly brought high-performance pickups back into the spotlight with a supercharged V8 version. Unfortunately, only one authentic SVT Sport Trac was produced, and that was as a concept. It still exists, and it has recently appeared for sale on Facebook.

      Recently, the Ford Sport Trac Adrenalin, VIN 20050001, was shared in the Low Miles No Miles group. Ford showcased this concept at the 2005 New York Auto Show, calling it the “world’s first high-performance sport utility truck.”

      This isn't one of the Adrenalin trim-level Sport Trac Explorers that were available in the 2000s, which featured a modest appearance package. This is the original SVT concept truck, designed to be a high-performance vehicle with a supercharged V8 engine.

      “We’re aiming to take Ford performance to an entirely new market segment with the Sport Trac Adrenalin,” then-Ford VP and Ford Division President Steve Lyons stated in a 2005 press release. “Adrenalin is intended to provide a unique blend of performance and functionality never before seen in the ‘go-fast’ market.”

      The goal was to start production of the Adrenalin in 2007, but we know how intentions can sometimes unfold. In this case, the plans went nowhere. Ford went through restructuring and subsequently canceled the Adrenalin performance pickup. Adding to that, the Great Recession caused any lingering hopes for production to vanish completely.

      An Explorer Sport Trac Adrenalin did eventually make it to dealerships, but by that time, it featured only a few cosmetic enhancements that hinted at the ground effects seen on the concept. However, the original supercharged truck concept has been showcased quite a bit on the auction circuit. The vehicle appeared on RM Sotheby’s in 2010 and 2014, followed by a 2020 auction via Barrett-Jackson. Its prices have varied significantly: $57,750 (2010), $173,250 (2014), $55,000 (2020), and it is currently listed for $135,000.

      The current seller, Jeff Schembri, actually won the truck at Barrett-Jackson. In a conversation with The Drive, Schembri shared that he had long desired the Adrenalin since its reveal. However, after its cancellation, he created his own version by taking an Explorer Sport Trac, adding the Adrenalin package, supercharging it, and making some aesthetic enhancements. He sold that vehicle last month but shared some pictures with us—it turned out quite impressive.

      Regarding the factory concept truck, Schembri has showcased it at local events, but he admits that owning his dream truck has become a major source of anxiety.

      “I’m afraid to drive it,” Schembri expressed. “It’s not street legal, and I worry about anything happening to it. I hope to find a buyer with a garage or a museum, someone who will truly appreciate it because it’s amazing. It’s a remarkable piece of SVT history.”

      The vehicle is located in southeast Michigan and is being sold with a bill of sale. Schembri mentions that it is sold as is, and there is no certificate of authenticity. “I didn’t receive any such documents,” he noted. “But you can clearly tell it’s the real deal. There are ports for connecting to a turntable and various switches. Under the hood, there’s a plaque stating it’s a prototype built by Ford Motor Company.”

      The Adrenalin concept was a combination of the SVT F-150 Lightning and the Explorer Sport Trac, which Ford had introduced its second-generation (and final) model just a couple of months earlier. The Adrenalin featured a supercharged 4.6-liter V8 engine that delivered 390 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. Its six-speed automatic transmission was also the first of its kind for an SVT vehicle. With an all-wheel-drive setup (featuring a 60/40 split rear bias), the Adrenalin concept was equipped with an SVT-tuned fully independent suspension and was estimated to have a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds.

      In terms of size, the concept was nearly five inches longer and two inches wider than the Explorer Sport Trac. Even though it came with a four-foot bed, Ford claimed the Adrenalin provided 30 percent more cargo space because of its taller and wider bed.

      The final Explorer Sport Trac Adrenalin that we received included blacked-out features like those on the concept, as well as fender vents, integrated running boards, and 20-inch wheels. However, the exterior enhancements did not appear as sleek as the concept and it lacked the supercharged V8.