1972 Ford F-100 Ranger XLT

Description

Ford fans, never fear, we have great old pickups for you as well. Perhaps they worked harder than their Chevy counterparts, or perhaps fewer were built, but it seems that there are not nearly as many early-70s Fords. Fortunately, we have found this one, which is an extremely clean '72 F100 Ranger XLT that's clearly had a lot of care over the last 43 years.

I don't know about you, but that light blue paint job has the right look for the period and it works really well on the truck's neatly creased sheetmetal. Still showing some of the '60s detailing but a forward look that would stay with Ford for a generation, this '72 is a neat example of the evolution of the pickup truck. It's been repainted at least once but the combination of Wimbledon White over Wind blue is correct according to the door tag. It's got a great shine that's not quite show quality but definitely garners attention out on the street. Also note the embossed spear that runs from nose to tail on each side, the molded-in fender flares and rocker panel accents, and the giant clamshell hood that offers unparalleled access to the engine bay. It all just works together, giving this truck an instantly-identifiable look that will still stand out in a crowd. The argent silver grille is in excellent condition, sitting above a brightly chromed bumper, while out back the bed has been protected by a spray-in bedliner and a set of useful bed rails.

The blue interior with a vinyl seat cover doesn't stray too far from this truck's working-class roots, and that's OK. That's got to be a newer seat cover and it works well with the painted interior and woodgrained door panels. It's interesting to see a basic truck like this equipped with A/C, which was either factory- or dealer-installed and now uses R134a refrigerant inside. The rest is pretty original and stock, including the instrument panel that shows a full array of gauges and a little bit of fading due to age. A new AM/FM/CD stereo was fitted below the dash so the original radio could stay in place, and there are color-matched floor mats over what we believe to be the original carpets. Overall, the truck retains its original flavor, but the comfort and convenience items make it a pleasure to drive.

The engine is a bright Ford Blue 360 cubic inch V8, and the ultra-tidy engine bay demonstrates that this is no ordinary work truck. The factory-issued air cleaner is still up top, along with those cool "Powered by Ford" valve covers, and thanks to a 4-barrel carburetor, this truck almost moves more like a Mustang with a bed. It starts quickly and easily, and settles into a rumbling idle thanks to Flowmasters underneath, and pulls well through all three gears. Underneath, the chassis and floors are extremely sanitary, with just a light dusting of undercoating, enough to protect everything, but not there to hide any repairs or rust. A bulletproof Ford 9-inch rear will handle any load you can throw at it, and handsome aluminum wheels give it a sporty demeanor. Four Firestone Firehawk white-letter radials have been fitted as well, making this a truck that you can use and enjoy immediately.

Just a clean old Ford with a second lease on life. Call today!