1967 Ford F100 Crown Victoria Chassis Swap: Italian Restomod Meets SEMA

Dario Barozzini

1967 Ford F100 (Crown Vic–Chassis Restomod)

Facebook: Dariobdesign

Instagram: @dbdwrap | @burnsurvivor94

Photographer/Author: Donnie Rochin 

IG: @r0cean11 

FB: r0cean11 Photography 

"Nothing is impossible. Have the will, get up when you fall, and chase the goal you want most." – Dario Barozzini

Gasoline in the Blood

Born in Venezuela and now recognized on both sides of the Atlantic for transforming metal into moving art, 36-year-old Dario Barozzini wraps and customizes cars for a living. The spark ignited in his father's garage: little Dario sitting nearby, watching the ritual of cleaning, wrenching, and taking pride in craftsmanship.

"I was born with gasoline in my blood," he says.

That early imprint evolved into a craft—then a calling. Today, Dario runs DBD Wrap, specializing in vehicle customization, vinyl wrapping, and complete restomod builds that blend old-school aesthetics with modern performance.

Why an F100? Why Like This?

Dario's muse was the legendary Ken Block: the attitude, the tire smoke, the old-Ford-with-new-teeth aesthetic that defined Hoonigan's approach to classic American iron. Seeing Block's F-series Hoonicorn builds flipped a switch in Dario's mind. He hunted down the right 1967 F100 shell—and then refused to pursue a "regular restoration."

Instead, he fused eras: a classic pickup body set atop a 2010 Crown Victoria Police Interceptor backbone. It's American muscle heritage, modern chassis geometry, and Italian detail sensibility all rolled into one cohesive vision.

"In a world of plastic and plug-in hybrids, I wanted raw steel and soul."

The Crown Victoria platform—Ford's legendary Panther body-on-frame architecture—provided the perfect foundation. With its proven 4.6L Modular V8, fully independent rear suspension options, modern brake systems, and decades of police pursuit testing, the Crown Vic offered reliability and parts availability that traditional F100 components simply couldn't match.

How It Feels Behind the Wheel

Behind the steering wheel or catching a reflection in a storefront window, the truck hits Dario with equal parts gratitude and adrenaline. The cammed 4.6L V8 delivers a sharper exhaust note and throttle response that modern engines often lack. The QA1 coilovers transform the ride quality, eliminating the typical truck bounce while maintaining street comfort.

On the street and at car shows, it's an undeniable head-turner. Strangers pull him over at gas stations to look closer, ask questions, and snap photos. The build exists for passion first, recognition second—and it's getting plenty of both.

The Crown Victoria chassis provides predictable handling characteristics and modern road manners that make the F100 genuinely enjoyable to drive, not just trailer to events. This was always part of Dario's vision: a truck you could cruise to a show and actually enjoy the journey.

Builder's Advice: Wisdom from the Garage

Stay Calm Under Pressure
Every legitimate build throws curveballs—whether it's fitment issues, wiring gremlins, or parts that don't arrive on time. Composure and problem-solving skills triumph over brute force every single time.

Don't Chase Trends
Build the car you can't stop thinking about at 2 AM. The automotive landscape is littered with half-finished projects that followed social media trends instead of personal passion. Your build should reflect your vision, not someone else's Instagram feed.

Know Your Foundation
Chassis swaps like this succeed or fail based on integration quality. Wiring harnesses, brake line routing, fuel system plumbing, exhaust clearances, transmission tunnel modifications—these unglamorous details determine whether your build drives or sits. Take the time to do it right the first time.

What Makes This F100 Restomod Unique?

The genius of this build lies in the contrast: vintage truck aesthetic meets modern police interceptor engineering. Most F100 restomods either keep the original straight-axle suspension (sacrificing handling) or go full custom chassis (sacrificing budget and time). Dario's Crown Victoria platform swap provides a middle path—factory-engineered reliability with modern performance characteristics.

The aggressive wheel fitment (20×11 front with -30 offset, 20×12.5 rear with -80 offset) creates a stance that's unmistakably Ken Block-inspired while the custom DBD wrap work adds contemporary visual impact. The full Alcantara interior with red accent stitching elevates the cabin beyond typical truck specifications.

This isn't a trailer queen. The Crown Vic mechanicals mean Dario can drive this F100 anywhere with confidence in the cooling system, electrical system, and drivetrain reliability.

Complete Build Specifications

Engine and Drivetrain Performance

• 4.6L Modular V8 (Crown Victoria Police Interceptor base engine)
• Custom camshaft profile for aggressive idle and improved throttle response
• Long tube headers with full custom exhaust system
• Crown Victoria 4-speed automatic transmission (4R75E)
• Police Interceptor rear differential with highway-friendly gearing

Suspension and Chassis

• QA1 adjustable coilover system optimized for the Panther platform
• Crown Victoria independent front suspension (modified A-arms)
• 1967 F100 body mated to 2010 Crown Victoria full frame
• Custom body mounts and chassis brackets
• Reinforced frame sections for increased rigidity

Brakes, Wheels, and Tires

• Wilwood performance brake system (front and rear)

• Custom 2-piece wheels with aggressive offsets:

• Front: 20×11 with -30 offset

• Rear: 20×12.5 with -80 offset

• High-performance tire compound for street and show use

Interior Transformation

• Full black Alcantara upholstery throughout cabin
• Red contrast stitching and accent details
• MOMO leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Corbeau racing bucket seats (driver and passenger)
• Corbeau 4-point safety harness system
• Crown Victoria dashboard and HVAC controls retained for functionality
• Custom center console integration
• Modern gauge cluster with period-correct styling

Exterior Styling and Modifications

• Custom vehicle wrap by DBD Wrap (Dario's signature work)
• Custom-fabricated fender flares for wide wheel fitment
• Custom front bumper design
• Steel roll pan (rear bumper delete)
• Custom headlight assemblies
• Custom side mirrors
• Custom rear spoiler/wing integration
• Shaved door handles (optional feature)
• Lowered ride height for aggressive stance

Chassis Foundation

The Secret Sauce: Classic 1967 F100 body shell married to a complete 2010 Crown Victoria Police Interceptor platform—delivering modern road manners, reliability, and performance without sacrificing the iconic old-school silhouette.

Build Credits and Sponsor Support

Dario led fabrication, styling decisions, and all wrap work through DBD Wrap. This build wouldn't exist without a strong crew of partners and sponsors who believed in the vision:

Primary Build Partners:

• @dbdwrap (Custom wrap and design)
• @gabesautotech (Mechanical work)
• @pro_lighting_modz (Lighting systems)
• @texas.performance.exhaust (Exhaust fabrication)

Performance and Parts Sponsors:

• @knfilters (Air filtration)
• @jessiesperformance (Performance parts)
• @rdmbuilds (Fabrication support)
• @_audiocat (Audio system)
• @cowboyscustoms (Custom fabrication)

Finishing and Detail Work:

• @ulteriormotivesshop (Detailing)
• @blackdiamonddetailss (Paint correction)
• @multiservicesroraima (Support services)
• @upscale_customcycles (Custom work)
• Uniqueautoworkz (Facebook - Fabrication)
• @keystonbros (Parts support)

Interior and Finishing:

• @avantgradeupholstery (Alcantara installation)
• @corbeauseatsusa (Racing seats and harnesses)
• @_perfectcolorgp (Color matching)
• @kemp.kustoms (Custom details)

Community and Automotive Culture

The car scene gave Dario his family away from home—friends, mentors, and customers who became genuine believers in his vision. The automotive community also accelerated his business growth, with DBD Wrap gaining recognition through this signature build.

Dario proudly represents and participates in:

• @Officalracewars
• @Karless
• @Braap Racing
• @Urban Racing
• @tastym3dia
• @Driftndrags

"This community changed my life," Dario reflects. The connections made through car culture provided not just business opportunities, but genuine friendships and a support network that extends far beyond automotive interests.

The Road to SEMA

(Note: This section awaits Dario's detailed responses about his SEMA journey)

The Journey Begins

• Planning process, initial inspiration, and motivation for pursuing SEMA
• Timeline from concept to SEMA acceptance
• Key milestones along the way

Challenges and Sacrifices

• Financial investments and time commitments
• Technical obstacles overcome during the build
• Personal sacrifices made to complete the project

SEMA-Specific Modifications

• Last-minute upgrades and changes made specifically for SEMA display standards
• Late-night thrashes and final details
• Major rebuilds or refinements completed before the show

The Acceptance Process

• Application or invitation process details
• Requirements and criteria that needed to be met
• The moment of official SEMA acceptance and what it meant

Looking Forward: What's Next?

This 1967 F100 restomod represents the chapter Dario dreamed of writing for years. Finishing it didn't satisfy the creative itch—it only sharpened his appetite for the next project. Expect something even wilder, cleaner, and more intricately integrated.

Dream Cars on the Horizon

• Toyota Supra (A80): The legendary fourth-generation Supra remains on Dario's bucket list for a complete custom build

• Nissan Skyline GT-R R34: The iconic Japanese performance machine represents another dream platform for his fabrication skills

Future Build Philosophy

Whatever comes next will follow the same core principles: bridge automotive eras rather than choosing between them, prioritize drivability alongside aesthetics, and never compromise on the details that separate good builds from legendary ones.

Why This F100 Stands Out: Editor's Perspective

Concept Innovation:
Heritage truck styling meets modern Police Interceptor engineering—a restomod built with genuine purpose, not just nostalgia.

Execution Quality:
Alcantara cockpit rivaling luxury cars, Crown Victoria daily-driver capability, aggressive wheel specifications that demand attention, and legitimate Wilwood brake performance.

Distinctive Identity:
Ken Block-inspired attitude filtered through Italian craftsmanship sensibility—the result feels fresh, memorable, and commanding without being obnoxious.

Final Thoughts: Bridging Automotive Eras

Dario Barozzini's 1967 Ford F100 is proof that the best builds don't pick between eras—they bridge them with intention. Classic soul meets modern backbone, wrapped with craftsmanship and driven with passion.

In an automotive landscape increasingly dominated by cookie-cutter builds following viral trends, Dario's F100 stands apart. It represents genuine problem-solving, technical integration, and a clear creative vision executed from start to finish.

The Crown Victoria chassis swap isn't just a clever engineering solution—it's a philosophy. Take what works from different eras, integrate them thoughtfully, and create something that honors both past and present. The result is a truck that turns heads at shows but also confidently handles highway drives to those events.

For builders considering unconventional chassis swaps or cross-platform builds, Dario's F100 demonstrates what's possible when you prioritize integration quality over quick fixes. The unglamorous work—wiring harnesses, brake line routing, suspension geometry—ultimately determines whether an ambitious concept becomes a successful reality.

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