The American culture is full of powerful symbols which speak of our neighbors' mentality. Think about the famous pin-ups, roaring muscle cars, flamboyant Harley-Davidson motorcycles and hard-working full-size pickup trucks. It's hard to imagine how one could successfully combine a couple of these icons, but that's precisely what Ford was able to do with the 2008 F-350 Super Duty Harley-Davidson.

This massive truck is all about style and all about black.

At first, it might seem strange to create this sort of mix, but when you think about it, it makes perfect sense. In the United States, over 40 percent of Harley-Davidson owners drive a full-size pickup truck -- more often than not a Ford F-Series.

Needless to say that the Harley edition of the F-350 is only available in black with copper accents. Thusly dressed up, there's just no way to mistake it for anything else.

This massive truck is all about style and all about black; even the unique trim on the wheels is black. Harley-Davidson designers, who penned this one-of-a-kind vehicle, made sure to give it a commanding presence and killer looks. What used to be just a workhorse has become a fashion statement by way of numerous upgrades.

Beyond the aforementioned black and copper treatment, this F-350 stands out thanks to blacked-out headlight clusters, exclusive 20-inch wheels as well as a blacked-out grille with chrome slats. Also worth mentioning are the dual side-mounted chrome tailpipes bearing a Harley logo on each exhaust tip. Said logo is also found on the front fenders, leaving no doubts about the vehicle's roots.

The styling theme carries over inside, where copper leather seats sport black inserts and a design that's unique to this special edition. A beautiful Harley badge adorns the center console. This being a top-of-the-line F-350, the list of features is comprehensive. However, like every other Ford Super Duty, this one looks a bit "gimmicky". Fit and finish meet expectations without setting new standards.

The styling theme carries over inside, where copper leather seats sport black inserts.

A work-ready Harley
The 2008 Ford F-350 Harley-Davidson still has the soul -- and equipment -- of a work truck. You'll find many power sources for towing and, despite the wide dashboard, the controls are all within the driver's reach. In fact, overall ergonomics are quite good. The HVAC system is particularly effective with multifunction air vents. The stereo, meanwhile, does a commendable job.

Despite the wide dashboard, the controls are all within the driver's reach.

The open-air feeling offered by a Harley motorcycle is kind of reproduced inside, courtesy of an expansive cabin. The driver sits high and, fortunately, running boards and grab handles are there to facilitate ingress and egress. Rear passengers also enjoy easy access thanks to large, wide-opening rear doors.

As a true toolbox on wheels, this F-350 offers plenty of storage solutions throughout the cabin. Several cupholders have also been included. One thing that's missing, though, is a retractable step integrated to the tailgate for easier access to the cargo box.

Despite its chopper style, the F-350 Harley-Davidson is supremely comfortable, especially the seats, which make it a breeze to fine-tune your position based on your body shape. You should know that the pedals are also adjustable, making life easier for shorter drivers.

Given the size and height of the F-350, visibility is great. The driver looks down at just about any vehicle on the road. The outside mirrors are decently sized and they can be extended for towing purposes; they even include a small magnifying glass in the upper outward corner. The noise level is reasonable despite the fact that a turbodiesel engine sits beneath the hood.

The outside mirrors are decently sized and they can be extended for towing purposes.

Mechanical monster
Powered by the legendary 6.4L Power Stroke V8 producing 350 horsepower, the Ford F-350 delivers surprising accelerations. Despite being a bit twitchy and having a tendency to get too excited at idle, this engine offers outstanding performance.

The transmission is very effective and operates smoothly. As for ride quality, country roads and rough terrain are not this Ford's favorite playground; in fact, you're always reminded that you're driving a massive pickup truck as occupants get tossed around quite a bit. On the highway, however, it's like a living room on wheels: the ride is ultra-comfortable and the brakes are really up to the task despite the weight of the vehicle. Believe me: the F-350 has Earth-searing stopping power.

The fuel economy is reasonable for work duties but rather outrageous for family activities.

The only two major flaws of this monster are poor handling (that was expected given that it's longer than a ship) and poor fuel economy. The latter is reasonable for work duties but rather outrageous for family activities.

Final judgement
The mix between a Harley-Davidson and Ford's F-350 results in a vehicle with a lot of panache and presence -- more so than any competitor. The design is aggressive and commanding. This truck imposes its will and delivers satisfying performances. That's what I'd call a rebellious workhorse.

Since I love pickup trucks, I really appreciated the 2008 Ford F-350 Harley-Davidson. But at $73,000 and with high costs of ownership, it's clearly not accessible to all. What a looker, though! Is this the birth of a new sacred American icon? Quite possibly.

Competition
1) Cadillac Escalade EXT ($72,175)
2) GMC Sierra Denali ($52,615)
3) Lincoln Mark LT ($56,749)