Ford showed the Explorer Sportsman Concept to crowds at the 2001 North American International Auto Show. The truck arrived with a clear mission. Engineers wanted to give serious anglers everything they needed to reach remote streams and lakes without leaving gear behind or scrambling for space.
The designers picked a low-key satin metallic green finish for the body, which sticks out. To keep things simple and utilitarian, they added some silver accents around the edges. The front of the vehicle features an integrated hood and grille that integrates seamlessly into the lines. To protect it, satin finish chrome skid plates are installed underneath. However, the running boards, which used to drop down with a click of a button, no longer work. The truck features 17-inch concept wheels with Goodyear tires designed specifically for display trucks.
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The truck also features a custom roof rack that draws notice when it’s parked. It’s a true show stopper constructed of metal and bloodwood that serves as the frame for the entire thing. It entirely detaches and extends forward before folding down and swinging out to form a loading basket. All necessary equipment, such as rod nets and packs, may be slid in from the side without requiring anyone to get into the vehicle. When you’re finished, the rack simply sits ready to use.
Inside the cabin, the seats are upholstered in woven leather in a light Riverstone brown. The inside features stunning Bloodwood trim from Australian coastal forests that covers the dashboard, door tops, rear floor slats, shift levers, and steering wheel rim. The center console is composed of billet aluminum and features two shifters side by side. On the dash, there is a unique digital screen that displays navigation and can even be controlled with a mouse mounted right on the panel. The power front buckets adjust effortlessly, and the rear seat folds flat, allowing you to transport five people comfortably on a lengthy journey to the water.
Ford originally advertised this truck as having a live well tank in the cargo compartment that kept up to thirty gallons of water cool, allowing you to catch and take your fish home alive. They even included a fly tying station that folded out of the seat backs (which has since been removed). However, all other details remain.
Under the hood is a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine from Mazda. It is combined with a 4-speed automatic transmission, which sends power to all four wheels. The truck also includes four-wheel disc brakes to help it come to a stop. Ford advertised a 240 horsepower V8, but this vehicle really has a lesser four-cylinder engine. The issue is that this concept truck never received street legal status, thus it drives around with a show tag rather than a conventional VIN.
If you’re looking for a piece of Ford history, this Sportsman Concept is available right now on Bring A Trailer. The bidding started at $12,500, and the auction is due to end soon. One-of-a-kind concepts don’t come up for sale very frequently, so this is a unique opportunity to own a piece of history. This Explorer is a direct link to the day Ford decided that fly fishing needed its own truck.
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