1969 Ford F-100 Ranger

Description

In our workaday lives, we often overlook pickup trucks. We see machines like this 1969 Ford F-100 Ranger rumbling along next to us loaded with tools and ladders, we use them to haul our cars and boats, and treat them as tools more than collectables. That has always been the case, which is why finding older trucks like this is so extraordinary. Ready to be a daily driver, but nice enough to show on weekends, this truck is a very affordable way to get into the hobby.

Someone definitely spent a lot of time straightening and sanding the panels (and they are very big panels on this truck) to get it to look this good. The two-tone paint both accentuates the truck's length and its late 1960s origins with light blue and white paint. When they built trucks, panel gaps were not a concern, and those on this truck look like they would have when it was new: not perfect, but acceptable. The paint is fresh, and again, the goal wasn't trailer-queen perfection but it's quite crisp and clean. There's a surprising amount of brightwork and trim on this big hauler, and it's all in good condition, including the stainless side trim, the F100 emblems on the sides of the hood, and the big grille up front. And before you go thinking that this is a truck you'll have to baby, take a look at the bed, which has a freshly applied spray-on bedliner for durability.

The interior has been tastefully reupholstered in matching two-tone vinyl, again capturing the look and feel of the '60s. Imagine the windows down, the Beach Boys on the radio, and a cool glass bottle of Coca-Cola in your hand... that's exactly how this pickup feels. Wide enough for three across seating, the cab is surprisingly spacious, even in this age of extended and crew cab pickups. Door panels are simple affairs, with painted steel and a white insert with a padded arm rest as the small but necessary concessions to comfort. The simple but easy-to-read gauges are arrayed ahead of the driver and seem to be in original condition, as is the steering wheel, but the Hurst shifter's a definite upgrade. Updating the interior only slightly is a newer AM/FM/CD stereo system, but that means that you can bring your own Beach Boys CDs and listen to them any time you like.

Power comes from a stout 302 cubic inch V8, which is plenty of engine for a relatively lightweight truck like this. It's got some Mustang DNA running through its veins thanks to a Holley 4-barrel carburetor and a set of shorty headers and you'll recognize the sound the minute it fires up. Finned aluminum Cobra valve covers give it even more '60s cool, and you can tell from the condition of the firewall and inner fenders that this truck was never a rust bucket. A dual exhaust system with Flowmaster mufflers gives the truck a very aggressive engine note, and the 3-speed automatic transmission clicks through the gears smoothly. Out back, there's a stout 9-inch rear that will easily handle anything you throw at this truck, and the solid condition of the chassis only reinforces that this one probably lived its entire life in a warm, dry place. Shiny chrome wheels look almost new and carry oversized 275/60/15 Uniroyal radials that look sporty and give it a perfect stance.

Old trucks are fast becoming popular collectables, and when I see the auction results, I continue to be surprised by the prices they're bringing. From the bright and colorful '60s, this Ford F100 Ranger is a handsome hauler that's still ready to work for a living. Give us a call today!