Classic Mini Truck: 1976 Ford Courier
Ford had plans to sell a small pickup in the U.S. beginning in 1972 and chose to use a mostly rebadged Mazda B-Series truck. Chevrolet was doing the same thing with Isuzu and the imported LUV. The Ford/Mazda arrangement with the Courier would last through 1982, after which it was replaced with the U.S.-built Ranger. This well-used survivor from Last Vegas, Nevada looks like it could keep going forever. You could drive it as-is or do a light restoration, and it’s available here on eBay where the bidding is at just $1,175 with no reserve. Thank you, Patrick S, for the tip!
First-generation Courier’s in this configuration ran from 1972-76 (Ford had used the name before). It filled a void that was created when Ford promoted the Falcon-based Ranchero to mid-size status a few years earlier. For a small truck, it was certainly capable, rated at carrying 1,400 lbs. of cargo. At the time, there was a 25% import tax on light trucks, so they were imported as a “cab chassis” which included the entire truck sans the bed, which was added after clearing Customs. As such, the duty was reduced to just 4%.
The seller’s 1976 Courier is powered by a 1.8-liter overhead-cam engine, which was standard fare. The “little engine that could” had an output of 74 horsepower and 92 lbs.-ft. of torque. It’s flanked by a 4-speed manual transmission, although the original buyer could have opted for an automatic or a 5-speed. This is a matching-numbers, one-owner truck with 99,000 miles that’s said to run and drive great. The seller says it’s untouched, which tells me that the motor and tranny have never been apart.
Being a Nevada/desert truck all its life, the body is in good shape. There is some surface rust here and there, but no corrosion that’s created any holes that we can see. Even the paint job is the way it was when it was loaded on the ship in Japan. The interior is where the buyer should spend his first fix-up dollars. The seat needs recovering and the dash pad is aged and cracked. The floor coverings and headliner might have to be included on the to-do list.
These trucks were pretty popular back in the 1970s, but you don’t see them very often today. They were vehicles that worked hard and then retired to the junkyard if and when they wore out. NADA says these pickups could trade in the $4-5,000 range, so redo the interior and put a new paint job and put it back on the job!
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Comments
Had a Mazda version as a shop truck in the ’80s. Nice and solid, always ran, but was the slowest vehicle we’ve ever owned. We found a Sport interior with the upgraded dash with tachometer, lowered it a bit, put some striping down the sides and let folks wonder what else we did to it. It had a fiberglass bed cover which made it nice to haul fragile items etc. If they aren’t rusty they are a good work horse.
I had a 1974 Courier that I loved….. I rebuilt the engine, added a 5 speed, a repainted it….. Used it for a little while, then sold it…… great little truck and I do miss it!!!!
Me too. I had 74 mustard yellow. Loved that little truck
Ahhhhh, not ’82 , late ’83 ? I purchased a Sport Le. It was metallic black over silver, Had bucket seats to match. I saw an add in a magazine.Still have the add. Sadly the truck was a victim of divorce. It took the dealer almost 4 weeks to get from overseas.
Oh how I wish they still made small pickup trucks. Loved to two I had. What they consider small today were full size in the 80s
Someday small pickups will return and be declared the next new thing.
Ford Maverick: old name for “next new thing”.
we’re still gettin mini p/u world wide, just not here:
https://www.hotcars.com/20-foreign-pickups-every-american-wants-to-drive-but-cant/
unfortunately most are copies of the usa 4dor. Go Rooskie, I say. As all ways, Oz styles out…
I think the pinnacle was the mid or late 80s (was it?) with the ‘extended cab’ (I could push the seat back, arms legs out, not an F-series like sitting at the kitchen table), tranmis choice (5 speed or 4 auto ie OD), 15 inch wheel, double wall bed, choice of 4WD or long bed…
Gimmie a mini w/bench seat (may B a straight 6) SWB 4WD & I’ll use it on rd occasionally. DD would be a LWB w/48 inches btw the wheel wells & auto tho.
Those are still too big. I’ve had 4 single cab, 2wd, 4 spd, normal bed imported trucks and loved them all. (two Toyotas, a Mitsu and an Isuzu). What more does the average person need in a truck. Please don’t tell me all these people are really using their 4wd. If I had a dollar for every time I’ve seen a so-called Crew Cab actually full of people, I think I might be up to two bucks. I want a truck to be honest, haul my stuff and be reliable. I’m not taking it to the opera or the dunes. Get real.
We had a 1979 ford courier bought it new the worst cheapest piece a junk/joke we ever had here in Minnesota you need a vehicle with a
Heater/Defroster didn’t have either one even with a piece a cardboard in front of the radiator even put numerous thermostats you had to have an ice scraper to keep the inside of the windshield cleared off 😳
The Courier name was first used on the 53-54 Ford panel wagon..a station wagon without rear side glass, metal instead. They were used as sales and delivery vehicles.
It was also used in the 1952 model year.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Courier
MGSteve, living in Michigan as I do, I wouldn’t own a truck that wasn’t 4wd. Try driving down an un-plowed road with just 2wd and a load of firewood, furniture or whatever, even if it’s front wheel drive, and you’ll wish to God you had the sense to get the 4wd. Ditto going up steep driveways in the snow and/or sand or mud – both of which we enjoy here. I also understand your thinking that a city dweller in the South has no need for the extra traction. And as for the crew cabs, they are used as intended by contractors – to haul a crew around. Again, if purchased just for the size, it doesn’t make sense.
I certainly conceded re 4wd when there is an ACTUAL need. For most people, NOT in construction, etc. I think the biggest need today is when they get stuck in the flower beds at the mall. I well understand the intention of the Crew Cab. I went to sites in a 60’s version of a Dodge Crew Cab for several years. It was a working truck for working people. I get it. That isn’t what I’m seeing today. I think most Crew Cabs today are purchased for status and Keeping up with the Joneses . . . whoever the Joneses are! That said, I also realize, by simple observation, that I now find myself a lonely member of the a declining, small minority!
You’ll NEVER find parts for it. Much like its newer car cousin, the Probe.
Ford’s experiments with European built vehicles end badly.
Never, I mean I never have seen a vehicle rust faster than one of these. My friends Dad bought one of these right around 1976-77, and it was gone in less than two years. I live in Michigan and it rusted away to absolutely nothing. It wasn’t even talked about, it just went away and was gone. I thought maybe it was a bad subject, maybe it was never there. It cured me from ever wanting one.