No Reserve: 1976 Ford F150 Ranger XLT
Classic pickups continue to perform strongly in the market, and original examples will always attract their share of interest. This 1976 Ford F150 Ranger XLT demonstrates this trend graphically. It has already attracted an impressive thirty-seven bids since it was listed for sale here on eBay. Part of the attraction is its overall condition, but the fact that the owner is offering it for sale with No Reserve will be helping its cause. Located in Wolf Creek, Montana, the bidding has soared to $8,177. With No Reserve to consider, a new home should only be a few days away for this two-owner classic.
The original owner ordered the Ranger wearing Green Glow paint with a Silver bodyside accent panel. The hood and the tops of the door have received a repaint in the past, but the rest is original. It is starting to show its age, but if the buyer is looking for a classic pickup with character, this one has no shortage of it. There is some wear-through in a few spots and some light surface corrosion, but the F150 is rust-free and structurally sound. The underside looks particularly clean, with only the occasional light dusting of surface corrosion that the buyer might want to address at some point in the future. The bed has plenty of scuffs and scratches, but none of the dings and dents that might suggest a life filled with abuse. The glass is in excellent order, as is the external trim. A rear step bumper was a practical choice made by the original owner, especially for those of us who aren’t exactly on the tall side. Another practical decision made by the original owner was to equip the vehicle with the Heavy-Duty Trailer Towing Package. The healthy V8 that lurks under the hood should make this an accomplished tow vehicle if someone wants to hook something weighty onto the back of this classic. The Ranger rolls on a set of aftermarket alloy wheels, but the original steelies and hubcaps are included in the deal.
The Ranger XLT Package brought some nice touches to this F150’s interior, making it feel less like a workhorse. These included faux timber trim on the dash, along with plush carpet. Overall, the interior is very serviceable for an original survivor, and it has no immediate needs. The seat wears an aftermarket slipcover to hide some splits in the original upholstery. This looks neat, and I can’t see why it couldn’t be left as-is. If the buyer wants to address the problem that lies beneath, they could choose to spend around $300 on a replacement cover in the correct material, color, and pattern. The dash pad is warped, but it hasn’t cracked. There are also some cracks in the wheel, but otherwise, the interior looks pretty presentable. A more modern AM/FM radio has been slotted into the dash in place of the original AM unit, but there have been no other changes. The original owner had the F150 equipped with dealer-installed air conditioning, and this is the only item that no longer functions. Given how good the rest of the interior is, it would be worth the effort to get this blowing cold once again.
Lifting the Ranger’s hood reveals a numbers-matching 390-4V V8 that should be producing 201hp. That figure might not sound that great, but it is the 376 ft/lbs of torque that this motor churns out that makes this such a tempting tow vehicle. The original owner also chose to tick the boxes on the order sheet beside the 3-speed automatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. The news for potential buyers seems to be positive because this F150 is ready and raring to go. The owner has recently fitted a new heavy-duty radiator, and the only fault he notes is a slight exhaust leak when the vehicle is cold. Beyond that, it is said to start and run well, and it feels tight and solid on the road.
When you look at what is on offer with this 1976 F150 Ranger XLT, it’s easy to see why the bidding has been relatively intense up to this point. It is a tidy survivor that can be driven and enjoyed immediately. It is also nicely equipped in a 1976 context, and its drivetrain combination would make it an ideal tow vehicle if the buyer wants to hook up a trailer and hit the road to see what the country has to offer them. Have you ever owned a vehicle like this one, or would you like to submit a bid to make this one your first? If you do, I could hardly blame you.
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Comments
Up to $8177 now.I spent some time in that area,
& it’s pickup country.Wasted a bunch of time looking at Cascade,MT
on Google maps.
Recent cash for pickups say this is worth almost double that.
Unfortunately. Just a couple of years ago you could have it for the price it’s at right now, but that’s changed.
Hey, remember when not that many years ago you could get into the classic car hobby fairly cheaply with a pickup or station wagon? : (
It’s almost but not quite the kind of truck I’m looking for. The price so far is right it’s just the year is wrong. Turn the clock back about 10-20 years then for this price I’m in. Just another dream I’m waking up from.
God bless America
Great truck