1978 Ford F-250 Ranger 4x4, rare 1 of 6 Rustfree California truck No reserve

When it comes to vintage automobiles, it is a fact that original vehicles from California and the West Coast of the United States have always been the most desirable the world over for many reasons; the mild climate and the lack of exposure to the elements of nature that cause things like rust also many automotive trends started in California. The automobile is the perfect technological symbol of American culture, a tangible expression of our quest to level space, time, and class and a reflection of our relentless mobility, social and otherwise. You see automobiles advertised the world over described as California cars because at some point they were in California or drove through California. A true California car is one that was sold new in California and titled in California, one that has the original plates that are on that title is a true California car. We are liquidating a collection of 300 actual California cars. This is a collection that took 70 years to comprise. Most have the original paint and original California licence plates issued to them when they were new

Up for a No Reserve auction is a beautiful 1978 Ford F-250 Ranger in a stunning combination of Candy Apple Red and Metallic Silver. This 1978 Ford F-250 was special factory ordered truck 1 of only 6 1978 Ford F-250s every ordered for Export with #97 DSO (District Sales Office) through a Ford dealership in Dearborn, Michigan. At this time in 1978 the dealership was owned by Bob Ford a member of the Ford family. This was possibly a loophole as the buyer was a representative for California's central valley in the United States Congress.This 1978 Ford F-250 was only 1 of 20 every made with the paint and trim codes Candy Apple Red with Silver metallic with both regular and deluxe tu-tone options. Since this truck was new in May of 1978 is has spent thelast 41 years in California's central valley. This pickup has the 351M V8 mated to the New Process 4-speed manual transmission. The axles are a Dana 44 with 4.10 gears up front and Dana 60 Limited slip rear axle with 4.10 gears. The truck is equipped with a New Process 205 transfer case, power steering and the HD 7300 GVW package. The truck was also ordered with as a Camper Special, a bedside toolbox, and was 1 of 1,307 to be ordered with a CB radio. 73-79 Ford trucks are sought out for their handsome well portionedlooks that have proven to be timeless, they are desirable for their reliability and rugged ability to get a job done for 40+ years. A 4x4 Ford truck in this era was typicallyordered for a job that required a toughness to be worked hard in abusive terrain. Many 4x4s were ordered without many options except for the basedrive lineand trim. This 1978 Ford F-250 is unlike many of its peers, this wasn'ta truck ordered for a job to be worked and abused. It was as a personal truck to be enjoyed with many convenienceand styling options specially ordered. If you were to buy a 73-79 Ford this would be your ideal truck. It is an honest California truck with a great history, rare combinationof options and trim and is the type of truck the would set the bar for 73-79 Ford trucks.

With an ever growing accessibilityto catalogsfull of a cheap Asianmade reproduction parts. Many classic American trucks especiallyones that lived life off road being beaten and broken have been rebuilt with cheap Asianmade reproduction parts. Turning a once American truck into a mostly Asian truck with American roots. A truck that has not been rebuilt out of a catalog 41 years later but rather built 41 years ago in Dearborn,Michigan with 100% American made materials should not be overlooked. Originality only happens one time and good originalexamples should be preserved and maintained because they will always be in demand over something that tries to replicate original.

Cosmetically this truck has some serious eyeball, the candy apple red with silver metallic set this truck off. The Ranger trim and Warn winch with chrome front and rear bumpers look fantastic and go well with the colors. The body is very straight with no bodywork and California's central valley is an ideal dry climate to preserve vehicles from rust which has benefitedthis truck with norust. This truckhas all the original panels and body parts. The paint shines nicely and looks good from a distance, there are several areas on the red where the clear coathas peeled off a bit. All the chrome trim and bumpers look fantastic with out any pitting. In 1978 trucks with the higher end Ranger trim received square headlights and chrome bezels which look great with the grille and bumper. None of the glass is cracked and nothing is missing. The truck does have custom made 16x10 wide steel wheels with a brand new set of 35 x 12.5 Mud terrain tires.

Hop up into this truck and step into the beautifulred interior. The Ranger trim has a nice touch with a headliner and wood grainaccents on the dash which look great. The bench seat has been reupholsteredand has no rips or tears and is a comfortable seat to sit in. The carpet is also brand new and has no rips or tears and no stains. The original steering was replaced many years ago for a GT wheel which was common, the horn is functional which is uncommon with aftermarket wheels. A aftermarket stereo was installed as well which works but currently doesn'thave a speaker hooked up. All of the interior lights are working. The factory AC is not operating because the unit was removed to be polished but never was put back into the truck. All of the gauges are operating as well as the back litlight.

Mechanicallythis truck runs and drives great. The 351 fires up and runs strong. It shifts smoothly into all gears as well as reverse and 4 wheel drive. The truck was lifted some years back and was done properly because this truck drives pretty darn smooth and handles decent for a full size 4x4 truck. It does have bigger sway bars front and rear and upgraded suspension components. The exhaust sounds pretty good, not too loud and obnoxious but undoubtedlya v8 sound.

Truck has a full Marti Report verifying authenticity of options and production numbers.

TERMS OF SALE

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