This 1983 Ford F150 XLT has been parked in this shed for the past 10-years. It doesn’t currently run, but it is a classic pickup that looks ripe for revival. If you think that you have what it would take to return this Ford to the road, you will find it located in Phoenix, Arizona, and listed for sale here on Craigslist. All you need to do is hand the owner a mere $3,500, and you could take this one away.

The F150 is finished in a combination of Walnut Metallic and Pastel French Vanilla, and the first impressions are that the paint looks quite good. There is no evidence of any significant damage, and it would be interesting to see how it would respond to a simple wash and polish. There are no visible dings or dents and no evidence of any rust problems. If the F150 has spent its life in Arizona, there is a good chance that it has managed to remain rust-free. The panel gaps look good, and the camper shell is a practical addition. However, that doesn’t look particularly flash, so the buyer might choose to ditch it. On the other hand, the chrome and trim look very presentable, and I can’t spot any significant flaws with the glass.

Powering the XLT is the venerable 302ci Ford small-block V8. This motor is backed by a 3-speed automatic transmission, while the vehicle also scores power steering and power brakes. The small-block doesn’t currently run, and it isn’t clear when it last did. The owner states that the F150 has been parked in the garage for the past 10-years, and you have to wonder if that is how long it has been since it fired a shot in anger. You also have to wonder whether it ran when parked or whether it was parked due to some underlying mechanical issue. However, it might be possible to coax the 302 back to life. If this is the case, returning the Ford to a roadworthy state might not be a difficult undertaking. The owner indicates that the XLT has a genuine 80,000 miles on the clock, but he doesn’t say whether he holds verifying evidence for this claim.

What can be seen of the interior looks tidy, but the photos are limited. There is a cover on the dash and a slipcover over the seatback, but the exposed upholstery generally seems to be in good order. It looks like there might be some wear on the passenger door trim, but I would treat the whole thing to a thorough clean before I began to compile a shopping list. There’s no point forking out cash for new parts when the existing components might be able to be salvaged. I believe that the vehicle might have featured a stereo radio of some description, but we know for sure that it comes equipped with air conditioning and a sliding rear window. Beyond that, your guess is as good as mine.

I admit that this 1983 F150 XLT is an unknown quantity. It doesn’t run, and there is no information on why it was parked. It does appear to be rust-free, and the paint looks like it might respond positively to a wash and polish. Therefore, it might not take a lot of time, effort, or money to return this giant to the road. I will say that you will struggle to find a complete F150 of this vintage for the asking price. Even if the buyer were forced to part it out, there’s a good chance that they would come out ahead financially. That has to make it worth rolling the dice on for the right person. Would you take the risk?