Vehicle Description
Being down South in sunny Georgia as we are, it seems that there
are a few extraordinary vintage trucks still running around that
haven't been worked to death or parted out for their rusty cousins
up North. Take this beautifully restored 1978 Ford F-150 Ranger
Lariat 4x4: the original owner spent years gently treating it
right, and then just as much care and attention was poured back in
when it was recently restored - resulting in one of the cleanest,
most dialed-in, and solid Ford 4x4s we've seen in quite some time.
Featuring a rebuilt 400M V8, a smooth-shifting automatic, and a
couple choice options all wrapped up in a slick Black-and-White
presentation, this ain't Grandaddy's dusty old pickup...
Two-tone paints were popular options in the '70s, although the
original colors on this F-150 were a little too '70s for the former
owners. Originally Dark Nectarine and Light Chamois (euphemisms for
Brown and Tan) - a combination that essentially looked like fancy
rust even when new - this Ford was transformed into a timeless
classic simply by the addition of the slick Raven Black-over-White
paint that adorns it today. It's a refreshing change-of-pace
combination that strips away the bland "earth movement" colors of
the '70s, although doesn't erase the past completely since Raven
Black and White are in fact period-correct colors. The contrasting
shades make this 4x4 look way more exciting, and it feels at home
whether its traversing country roads or pulling up to dinner in the
city. Bad bodywork betrays paint jobs, no matter how nice, but
thankfully this particular Ford was an incredibly solid truck to
begin with. Having never left GA, it was still in original
condition right up until it was fully restored last year. In fact,
you can pull up the carpets and still see the original paint atop
the original floorpans, and the fact that a vintage Ford truck
still carries it's original floorpans is an amazing feat alone.
Many '70s trucks were worked to death, thusly requiring major
surgery, but this Southern Belle was spared that fate. Most of its
life was spent under the loving care of the original family that
bought it new in GA, until it was sold to neighbors - a father-son
team known for vintage Ford 4x4 restorations. Those experienced
builders took the truck completely apart to ready it for paint, and
because it was so solid (they claim that the odometer represents
its true mileage, although that's difficult to 100% verify in a
classic), not a lot of bodywork (if any) was needed. Single stage
black-and-white paint was applied to a great driver-quality
standard, with no sign of the original colors visible, and the
extensive Lariat trim was polished up and reinstalled. The results
are impressive, the finish is uniform, fresh, and the curb appeal
is amazing. Not a perfect show-piece, although a cut-and-buff would
really kick it up a notch or two, but nevertheless it's a downright
great-looking rig. And we love the sliding rear window - a great
feature that provides draft-free ventilation inside. Out back, the
clean bed proves how little this Ford was used, although it's been
protected with spray-in bedliner and is capable of dominating any
project.
The simple, rugged interior was also restored correctly, right down
to the black vinyl bench seat, flanking door panels, blemish-free
dashpad, taut headliner, and the plush black carpets below. It's
mostly a no-frills place to get some work done, but that's
refreshing today when trucks resemble a waiting room at a day spa.
However, the quality of the work makes it look far more upscale
today, and with fresh and restored OEM materials, it's very clean
and supremely comfortable. This 4x4 carries a full set of factory
gauges ahead of the new steering wheel, plus a column shifter for
the C6 3-speed automatic and a manual floor lever for the transfer
case, all just an easy reach away.
Under the hood is Ford's tried-and-true 400 V8, rebuilt less than a
100 miles ago (it still has break-in oil inside) to stock specs.
Ford didn't stamp VINs on their blocks, but in all likelihood, this
is the truck's original engine - nevertheless it's been fully
sorted and is equipped with a new FST 4-barrel carburetor, an
Edelbrock intake, long-tube headers, and fresh wiring/electrical
components, making for a very reliable hauler. Built for torque, it
moves the big F-series with ease, and the entire drivetrain was
attended to and is ready to dominate for decades to come. Ford Blue
paint on the block, chrome valve covers, and a chrome air cleaner
keep it looking tidy inside the gloss black engine bay, matching
the theme of the entire truck. There's a giant radiator up front
that doesn't make the big engine sweat and with a restored power
steering system and overhauled power front disc brakes, it's easy
to maneuver about town. A smooth-shifting C6 automatic transmission
was recently serviced and sends power through the transfer case and
to the Dana 44 up front and heavy-duty Ford 9-inch rear end, and
with that elevated stance and beefy shocks/springs, this F-150 is
ready to conquer Mt. Everest. A dual exhaust system with chambered
mufflers sounds awesome, and the drivetrain was painted Ford Blue
to match the engine. The undercarriage is stock, but like almost
all our Southern-bred machinery, it's incredibly solid with a light
dusting of GA red clay that was purposely left honest (not spray
bombed) to show that there are no rusty trouble spots or ugly
repairs. Brand new polished alloys come wrapped in brand-new
33x12.5x15 Nexen A/T radials that finish off the look
perfectly.
Big, fun, and ready-to-rock, this Ford 4x4 is EXACTLY the kind of
truck you always wanted. Don't miss this chance to get one in the
renewed prime of its life. Call today!
