THE HOONITRUCK: A Legacy of Speed, Innovation and the Spirit of Ken Block
January 7, 2025
Posted by Barrett-Jackson
LOT #1365 – 1977 FORD F-150 CUSTOM PICKUP “HOONITRUCK” – NO RESERVE
Ken Block’s life was a celebration of passion, adventure and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Originally from California, Block turned his love for cars, motorsports and creativity into a legacy that has left a lasting mark on the world.
According to his sister, Donna Block, Ken was a marketing genius as well as a rally driver. He grew up on a ranch in Southern California, where he learned to drive in his parents’ 1977 Ford F-150. He later immersed himself in the world of skateboarding and screen-printing shirts, which led him to become a co-founder of DC Shoes, where his marketing expertise started to shine. Always a fan of motorsports, in 2005 Block transitioned into a professional rally driver, further showcasing his marketing talents by earning sponsorships and being named Rally America’s Rookie of the Year. In 2011 he began competing in the Global RallyCross Championship, finishing as runner-up in 2014, third in 2013 and fifth in 2012. During this time, he co-created the Hoonigan Racing Division, which evolved into one of the most recognizable brands today, allowing Ken’s marking talents to be on full display. The brand embodied his irreverent, no-holds-barred approach to cars, which became a cultural force for those who loved performance, rebellion and tire-slaying fun.
Beyond the accolades, Block was known for his humility, his dedication to family and his genuine love for sharing his passion with others. During Barrett-Jackson’s 2020 Scottsdale Fall Auction, Block sold his 2016 Ford Focus RS RX to raise much-needed funds and awareness for Team Rubicon, a non-profit disaster response organization dedicated to providing relief to those in need. After Block’s passing in 2023, the 43 Institute was created to carry on his memory by providing resources for underserved, highly driven “motivated misfits,” whose aspirations lie in action sports, motorsports and the creative arts. “I am so grateful the institute was created to help other people follow their dreams; Ken would have loved that,” Donna said.
“One of my favorite memories of Ken is going for a ride-along with him,” Donna recalled. “I kept asking him and asking him to take me, because he had taken our mom for several rides, and I really wanted to go.” Finally, her ride-along came during the SEMA Show at the Ford Out Front demonstration, with her brother behind the wheel of one of his rally cars. “Everyone kept asking me if I was scared, but it was amazing beyond belief. We just had this trust being brother and sister ‒ plus you know I had a five-point harness and a helmet. I felt like nothing would happen.”
Among Ken Block’s most notable career highlights is Gymkhana, his high-octane, tire-screeching YouTube series, which catapulted him into the global spotlight and changed the way people saw motorsports and precision driving. Each video was incredibly thrilling, showcasing his fearless driving, daring stunts and technical mastery while bringing a fresh level of storytelling to the motorsports world with a sense of fun that was uniquely his own, generating viral videos with hundreds of millions of views. Through his undeniable talent behind the wheel, Block became one of America’s most famous professional drivers.
Block had several vehicles built for the Gymkhana series, including a 1977 Ford F-150 known as the “Hoonitruck” (Lot #1365) that will be crossing the Barrett-Jackson Auction block on Super Saturday, January 25, at the 2025 Scottsdale Auction with No Reserve.
The Hoonitruck, crafted from the bones of a 1977 Ford F-150, stands as a heartfelt tribute to Ken Block’s parents and the truck that played a pivotal role in his early driving adventures, such as learning to drive, his first burnout and his first jump ‒ laying the foundation for a career defined by pushing the limits of what a vehicle can do. Designed for the Gymkhana TEN video, it takes center stage as Block tears down a section of historic Route 66 in Shamrock, Texas. The Hoonitruck’s legend doesn’t stop there ‒ it also headlined Climbkhana TWO, conquering China’s awe-inspiring Tianmen Mountain highway. Rising 5,000 feet into the sky, this treacherous road is often dubbed the world’s most dangerous mountain pass, making it the perfect backdrop for Block’s fearless driving.
At the heart of the all-wheel-drive Hoonitruck lies a custom-tuned, 3.5-liter, twin-Garrett-turbocharged Ford Performance/Roush Yates EcoBoost V6 engine. This billet-aluminum powerhouse was sourced directly from the Ford GT Le Mans development program, blending race-proven pedigree with outrageous performance. Taking things further is an aluminum intake manifold, uniquely 3D-printed by Ford Performance as a one-off component for the Hoonitruck. At the time, this intake was the world’s largest 3D-printed car part, requiring a staggering 150 hours to create.
Together, these innovations produce an earth-shaking 914 horsepower at 7,400 rpm and 702 ft/lbs of torque, all channeled through a Sadev 6-speed all-wheel-drive gearbox. This gearbox shares its DNA with the one in Block’s legendary Hoonicorn ‒ a 1965 Ford Mustang.
The Hoonitruck was crafted by the expert team at Detroit Speed, with its overall design and styling shaped by Ken Block and the creative minds at Hoonigan. The F-150’s original cabin was stripped to its bare bones, repaired, reinforced and then mounted onto a custom tube-frame chassis. This chassis was engineered with a high level of modularity, allowing it to be disassembled for transport ‒ a necessity given the Hoonitruck’s widebody flares, which stretch its width to just over 79 inches, making it nearly impossible to fit on a standard 80-inch trailer. This modular design also ensures that the truck can be quickly reassembled on-site, with damaged parts swapped or rebuilt as needed, providing unparalleled adaptability for the demands of high-stakes filming and performance.
The Hoonitruck’s transformation includes hand-hammered, military-grade aluminum bodywork, finished in Ken Block’s iconic matte black and gray livery, exuding both aggression and sophistication. Beneath this eye-catching exterior lies a custom ST/KW suspension system, engineered for precision handling and durability. Completing its bold appearance are one-off forged beadlock wheels painted in gloss white, delivering the perfect blend of style and strength to endure Block’s adrenaline-fueled stunts.
Enhancing its aerodynamics and durability, the truck features carbon-fiber front and rear bumpers, a carbon front splitter and additional bespoke components. To withstand the rigors of high-speed hooning, the factory grille, headlights, taillights and emblems were treated with a tough Cerakote finish, ensuring they remain protected from road debris and inevitable carnage.
Step inside the Hoonitruck, and you’re greeted by an interior that feels more like a raw race car than a pickup. A full carbon-fiber dashboard and matching Recaro Profi SPA carbon-fiber race seats set the tone for its high-tech, performance-driven aesthetic. Surprisingly, it doesn’t skimp on modern conveniences, boasting FordPass remote start and a functional backup camera paired with a tow hitch setup.
The Hoonitruck is more than just a machine ‒ it’s a symbol of Ken Block’s enduring legacy. A masterpiece of engineering and design, it harnesses the legendary Ford GT Le Mans engine to obliterate tires and leave clouds of smoke and adrenaline in its wake. What began as a humble farm truck has been transformed into a pavement-shredding powerhouse, seamlessly blending modern innovation with old-school grit.
Every curve, component and tire mark tells the story of Block’s unrelenting passion for pushing boundaries. The Hoonitruck stands as a testament to his fearless creativity, his ability to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary and his unparalleled impact on automotive culture. It’s not just a truck ‒ it’s a rolling tribute to a man who inspired countless others to chase their dreams and redefine what’s possible. Ken Block may be gone, but his legacy lives on in every roar of the engine, every plume of smoke and every soul moved to create their own path.
Written by Nicole Ellan James