Survivor-grade Pickups always command attention, particularly when they offer potential buyers the choice between preservation and restoration. Those are the options facing somebody if they elect to give this 1978 Ford F250 Camper Special a new home. It runs and drives well, with a healthy V8 under the hood. It has some minor rust issues, but it would not be difficult to address them as part of a light restoration. The F250 is listed here on Craigslist in Brandywine, Maryland. The seller set their price at an affordable $5,350, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Mitchell G. for spotting it.

Ford launched the Sixth Generation of its wildly successful F-Series Pickups in December 1972, with the model remaining on showroom floors until 1979. Our feature vehicle emerged in 1978 and is claimed to be an original and unmolested survivor. It must have looked impressive when new, with its Holly Green paint shining beautifully and its chrome sparkling in the sunlight. Those days may seem behind it, but the foundations are there to return this affordable classic to a state where it would turn heads wherever it goes. The paint is tired, and the panels sport a few bumps and bruises. However, the lack of significant rust could be one of its selling points. It is visible in the lower door corners, bed wheel wells, and some small spots in the bed floor. The bedliner is a practical addition and will protect things once any restoration work is complete. Otherwise, any other problems are limited to surface corrosion that could be addressed for little cost and effort. This extends to the frame, which is corroded but structurally sound. The trim looks undamaged and should respond positively to some work with a high-quality polish. The F250 retains its spotless original hubcaps, and there are no visible glass issues. The sale includes a White bed cap that should require little work to return to as-new condition.

The supplied photos suggest the new owner won’t spend a fortune lifting the presentation of its already serviceable interior to a higher level. It has no pressing needs, and if the buyer chooses to fit a slipcover on the seat to hide the splits on the outer edge, that approach is valid. However, with replacement covers in the correct material and color retailing for under $400, that option could prove irresistible. Replacing the cracked dash pad would add $260 to the tally, but those appear to be the only things to go onto a shopping list. The driver’s door armrest is swinging free, but I suspect it may only be missing a retaining screw. The dash and faux woodgrain look excellent, the door trims are tidy, and there is no evidence of physical damage to the carpet. The factory air conditioning blows cool but may require a recharge to work at its best. Entertainment is provided by a radio of some description, but it is unclear whether it is original.

The Malaise Era was in full swing when this F250 rolled off the line, although vehicles of this type suffered less than most at the hands of tightening emission regulations. This Pickup’s original 400ci V8 should place 169hp and 276 ft/lbs of torque at the driver’s disposal. Shifting duties fall to a three-speed automatic transmission that feeds the power to a 9″ rear end. Power-assisted front disc brakes bring proceedings to a halt, and it must be said that this is a bulletproof mechanical combination that should hold no surprises for its new owner. The seller singles out the braking system for particular praise. It recently received a host of new parts, and they function perfectly. Their effectiveness is heightened by the tires, which have zero miles under their treads. Identified faults include an exhaust leak on the passenger side. Otherwise, the F250 runs and drives perfectly and should be considered a turnkey proposition.

This 1978 Ford F250 has much to offer a new owner willing to be hands-on in their restoration. One of its attractions is that although it requires rust repairs, they are not urgent. It means the new owner could enjoy the vehicle untouched for the remaining warm weather and spend the winter months working to regain its lost youth. Affordable driver-grade classic Pickups are becoming harder to find, but that seems to be an apt description for this diamond in the rough. Would you consider pursuing this Pickup further?