1969 Ford F-100

Description

In the coming years, you're going to be seeing a lot more trucks like this 1969 Ford F-100 with a recent and fairly comprehensive restoration. The reason is that these kinds of vehicles represent an affordable way to have V8 power and rear-wheel-drive, not to mention a significant part of automotive history, all for a very affordable price. But good ones like this will not be common without big injections of cash, so perhaps now is the time to buy.

With a paint job just finished, this Harbor Blue pickup has a great old-school look that's both attractive and rugged, and according to the accompanying Marti Report, it's how this one came from the factory. It's not full of metallics like modern paint, so it has an authenticity that many restorations lack, and it's not easy finding fault with anything on the entire truck. Perhaps it worked for a living, but judging by the arrow-straight bodywork and exceptionally well-done paint job, it has instead been a favorite hobby vehicle for many years and someone just invested heavily in bringing it to better-than-new condition. Panel gaps are tight and the seams line up well, and almost all the chrome and stainless trim has either been professionally restored or replaced with brand new stuff. The bed was treated to a dusting of spray-in bedliner material so it'll look good for years and you won't have to worry about scuffing it if you, you know, actually use this as a truck.

The interior is pretty much as it was in 1969, a no-nonsense working environment that's designed to be durable and functional above all else. There's a new black seat cover that replaces the original blue one. Heavy-duty floor coverings mean you can climb in with your work boots and hose it out later, and this is most definitely a man's truck, with no power steering or brakes and standard three-on-the-tree shifting. The standard Ford instrument panel has a neat look with a complete set of gauges to monitor the engine (including optional ammeter and oil pressure gauges) and they did upgrade to an AM/FM/cassette stereo which is surely a step up from the original AM unit. There's also a sliding rear window for ventilation and it's quite effective at keeping the interior comfortable, even on warm days.

Ford had a variety of truck-only engines, and one of the most popular in 1969 was the 360 cubic inch V8. Nicely restored to original specs, it's a torquey powerplant that makes the truck feel nimble when it's empty and moves heavy loads without seeming to work hard. Ford Blue paint on the block, chrome valve covers, and reproduction decals give it a factory look. Lots of new components mean it runs well and it has a great V8 exhaust note thanks to a custom set of duals. The chassis is not detailed for show, but it does have a clean, straight frame and no issues with a 3-speed manual transmission feeding a heavy-duty 9-inch rear end with 3.25 gears inside. The original owner spec'd heavy duty springs, so you shouldn't be afraid to put it to work, either. Shiny 15-inch aluminum wheels dress it up and carry 255/70/15 BFGoodrich T/A radials.

This is a simple truck, but someone has invested a ton of time and effort to make it rise above its humble origins. Call today!