1973 Ford F-100 Ranger XLT - 1 FAMILY OWNED CAMPER SPECIAL;CLEAN, READY TO GO !!

1973

Ford F-100

Ranger XLT Pickup

Camper Special

Low 88,000 miles

VIN F10HRR84190

Back in the spring of1971 I’d just finished my junior year of high school and was ready for adventure. My folks were tired of the never-ending teasing suffered on my three younger sisters, so there wasn’t much objection when my best friend suggested a summer-long road trip looping from Seattle to New York City and back. We built a plywood canopy for the bed of his ’48 Chevy truck, loaded-up a few supplies and hit the road. Between us we had $400 to last the entire way (gas was only 30 cents a gallon). That experience became the greatest summer of our young lives! Why mention it? Becausethrough that "necessity-is-the-mother-of-invention" thingwe learned how to repair an older vehicle while far from home (before the end of those three months we’d installed a new clutch and rebuilt the engine with used parts more than once using only vice grips and a couple screwdrivers). The knowledge gained that long-ago summer started me on the course as a life-longvintage collector and taught me topass by the junk and only focus on decent rigs that past owners cared about and maintained!

Take a good look at my photos of this F-100 pickup. It sold new back in the fall of 1973 at Bickford Ford here in the small western Washington town of Snohomish. Based on receipts for a transmission rebuild and gasket replacements, we believe the total actual miles travelled are less than 88,000 (as shown on the odometer).

It’s easy to see the attentiveness and care taken by the original owner and his familyhave really paid off! With a casual glance, you might think this is just another ol’ truck. But, like I did, look a little closer and you’ll realize what a nice find it really is! The first hintcomes when you check for rust in the usual spots. Anybody familiar with the Pacific Northwest, specifically western Washington, knows we get our share of misty rain, but hardly ever any snow. The first few falling flakes cause panic and everybody stays home. Truth is, our winter roads are rarely salted, so you’ll see very few vehicles here with any serious rust problems! Climb over, under and around this rig - I know you’ll come up smiling! No rusted-out floorboards or truck bed here! The only minor corrosion we’ve come across is a patch on the bottom inside corner of the driver door. It's stable and not growing. As expected on a vintage rig, there are some nicks & scratches in the paint as well. A professional spray-in bed liner was done recently and it reallylooks great!

When you open the hood, you’re in for nice surprise. This Ranger XLT has a great-running 351 CID engine. The second you fire it up, you know it was built to last! I love the deep burble this strong motor makes through the dual glass pack exhaust. Almost sounds like a hot rod!

The automatic transmission shifts smoothly through all gears and we all know how great Ford rear pumpkins are in these old trucks. Along with the factory owner’s manual, I’ll be sure to include the repair receipt detailing a transmission rebuild less than 5,700 miles ago done by the original owner. He passed on a short time ago and the family felt it was time for the truck’s next care taker.

The data plate mounted to the driver’s door specifies a limited-slip differential with 3.5 gears (H2). Having power steering also makes for easy turns! Here’s how the VIN code breaks down:

F10 – Ford F100 4x2

H - 351 Cu. In. V-8 engine

R - San Jose Assembly Plant

G - 3 Speed Ford Auto Transmission

84190 – Sequential serial number

K4 – Ranger XLT Cab with a styleside bed

S - Bright Dark Blue Metallic Paint

F105 – 5500 GVW F100 Camper Special, 133-inch Wheelbase

The data plate also indicates the truck was delivered to the Seattle Sales District (#74) when new. It has always been a local Western Washington rig. Interestingly, the official build date is shown as May, 1973, but it was actually assembled during the summer according to the serial number sequence. We’ve found no special order information, so most likely it entered regular dealer inventory shortly after rolling off the San Jose assembly line.

Up in the cab you’ll find full factory instrumentation. Look at my pics of the bench seat. The corduroy-type fabric is in great shape with no breakdown of either the springs or underlayment. Both sun visors are also original, as is the headliner. For nostalgia sake, everyone likes a factory Ford Philco radio, but this nice little 80’s-vintage Pioneer AM-FM Cassette model sounds just fine and gets good reception!

Outside, I know you’ll be impressed by the classic Bright Dark Blue Metallic paint. It appears to have had one respray to the factory color. When the truck arrived at my warehouse a few weeks ago we didn’t need to do any repairs or updating; other than a tune-up, it was literally ready as a daily driver from day one.

Though I’ve always appreciated the look of stock 15-inch steel wheels with “dog dish” covers, these old-school mags are a worthy upgrade and add to the vintage vibe. I’d estimate the Goodyear Wrangler Radials they wear to be at least 80 to 90 percent all around. A mag spare will arrive stowed in the bed when the truck arrives. Sorry, I don’t have a key for the lower storage compartment.

Please feel free to email, text or call me with any questions during the auction. My name is MARK and my direct number is 206/914-1173. You’re also welcome and encouraged to come by my Auburn, WA warehouse to inspect & test drive the truck. You might also make an offer before the end of the auction, as many of my listed vehicles sell to smart “early birds” that call and work out a deal prior to the auction’s end. I always reserve the right to sell during this period.

A Few Additional Terms and Conditions:

A nonrefundable $500 deposit is due within 48 hours of the auction’s conclusion. The balance is due by cash or certified funds within seven business days unless prior arrangements have been made with me. Please remember you are bidding to buy and I fully expect the winning bidder to fulfill their Ebay contract! You’re NOT bidding to hold or then come inspect the truck later as you’re more than welcome to do this before the auction ends.

If you decide to have thePickup shipped home, there are scores of vehicle transportcompanies to choose from. I send off vehicles regularly and suggest that you get a transport bid from Dependable Auto Shippers (DAS). They're EBay’s preferred transporter and will give you a fair quote. Call them directly at (888) 817-6203. Give the rep. my affiliate number (2362642) and they can pull up all our information for station-to-station or even door-to-door quotes.

As an alternative, you might also get bids from the U-Ship.com website. You’ll be able to choose a transport broker from multiple offers. The zip code for pick-up would be 98002 (Auburn, Washington). For Oregon and California buyers, I have a great transporter that regularly delivers for us up and down the I-5 Corridor. The shipping of the vehicle and company chosen are the responsibility of the BUYER.