This strange beast of a vehicle has been nicknamed ‘Chupacabra’. Chupacabra literally translates into “goat-sucker” (from chupar, “to suck”, and cabra, “goat”) and is a legendary creature in the folklore of parts of the Americas, with its first purported sightings reported in Puerto Rico. The name comes from the animal’s reported habit of attacking and drinking the blood of livestock, including goats.
The vehicle started as a 1955 Desoto that Dave Mackey of Blue Dog Garage received for free. He then took a 1986 Ford F-250 extended cab long bed that he got for $250, shortened the frame, and grafted the Desoto body on to it. Dave kept the the F-250’s floor and firewall, removed the Desoto’s floor and firewall, and then joined the two. If you’ve ever built a plastic model kit, then this probably makes a little more sense to you. So even though it looks like a Desoto, it’s basically a 1986 Ford F-250 4×4 with a Desoto shell, and retains all of the stock Ford drivetrain.
This crazy concoction was built for the Oregon Gambler 500. The Gambler 500 is a mostly off-road navigation adventure challenge involving vehicles purchased for $500 or less. Dave also took the Desoto to the 2018 NW Overland Rally.
Some of the upgrades include:
- Roll cage
- Custom roof rack
- LED light bar
- Offroad lights
- Custom front bumper
- WARN VR 10-S winch
- Custom rear bumper with tire carrier and fuel can holder
- Nitto Trail Grappler M/T 37-inch tires
- ARB Air Locker
Links:
Chapacabra 1955 Desoto – facebook
Photos:
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About The Author
Growing up, my father always believed that every family needed a truck—there’s just something about having a vehicle capable of hauling anything at a moment’s notice. That philosophy stuck with me, and it’s been the foundation of my lifelong passion for Ford trucks.
While I’m best known for my work with Ford Rangers, I’ve owned a wide variety of Ford trucks over the years—including F-150s, F-250s, F-350s, and even larger rigs like the Ford Excursion, Ford Expedition, and a 1982 Ford Econoline Sportsmobile camper van. I’ve used these vehicles for everything from family transportation to towing car trailers and campers, and each one has fueled my love for Ford’s versatility and durability.
I especially enjoy the styling of 1970s and 1980s Ford trucks—the bold designs, rugged presence, and classic charm are timeless. Sharing my passion for Ford trucks, vans, and SUVs with other enthusiasts online brings me a great deal of joy, and it’s why I created Blue Oval Trucks.
This website is dedicated to helping Ford truck enthusiasts explore, learn about, and celebrate these incredible vehicles. While I share my expertise and experiences here, Blue Oval Trucks is an independent enthusiast site and is not affiliated with Ford Motor Company.
