1973 Ford F-100 Ranger XLT

Description

Don't worry Ford fans, we've got you covered. While I don't know why more Chevys than Fords seem to have survived, that only makes this 1973 Ford F-100 Ranger XLT more unique. Besides, V8 power in a black wrapper never goes out of style, especially if that wrapper has a cool stepside bed.

This great-looking blue Ford has been treated well for the past 40 years and it shows. Re-sprayed recently, the paint is quite good and there's no sign that this truck ever hauled lumber or bricks during the week or pushed a plow in the winter. In fact, with the bright blue paint being close to the original hue, I'm betting that someone special-ordered this truck and kept it shined as polished as his pride-and-joy. These Fords are gaining popularity and they really are great-looking machines, rugged and tough-looking, but with enough style to look at home in a high-end restaurant parking lot. A stepside bed from an early '80s Ford F150 is a neat fit and looks like it was put there by the factory. It has been protected with a spray-in bedliner material that wraps around the rails for added protection, so you can still use this truck as designed. Of course, a bright chrome bumper, a date-coded grille, and a few chrome dress-up pieces make this truck look far more upscale than its price tag would suggest.

The interior is dressed in its best formal wear, with a black bench seat, matching door panels, and new black carpets on the floor. For a little glitter, the door sills and steering wheel are also new, and there's a new dash cover up top to give it a neatly finished look. Factory instruments are joined by a column-mounted shifter, so brush up on your three-on-the-tree shifting skills. A newer AM/FM/cassette stereo lives in the original radio's location, powering a set of speakers neatly installed behind the seat. Seat-belts, heavy-duty floor mats, and an aftermarket consolette are nice features that make this entry-level truck far more livable and it would even be a joy to drive every day if that's your thing.

And speaking of engine bays, the 360 cubic inch V8 under the hood looks great and runs superbly. Torquey and with a great soundtrack to accompany it, the 360 moves the pickup truck easily, empty or full. A few choice upgrades such as an Edelbrock intake and Holley carb, as well as an open-element air cleaner, all help deliver a stronger sense of urgency when you mash the accelerator. Ford Blue on the valve covers stands out like a beacon in the otherwise utilitarian engine bay, and with a recent tune-up, it starts quickly and runs superbly. Power steering and brakes mean it's easy to maneuver, and it channels power through the aforementioned 3-speed manual transmission to a 9-inch rear end with 3.25 gears inside. With the addition of the front suspension from a late 80's F150 gives this truck quad suspension and upgraded disc brakes that help this truck perform wonderfully on the road, so you shouldn't be afraid to use the truck as designed, and as long as you're under there, check out the great-sounding Flowmaster dual exhaust system, which uses turn-downs to give it an aggressive sound. The floors are remarkably solid, as you can see in the photos, and with flashy 15-inch Cragar Nomad mags and fat 255/70/15 white-letter radials, it looks extremely sporty.

Now is the time to give the old Fords some credit, and few look as good as this bright blue F-100. Call today!