We all know that some sellers really like to get into the weeds of what sets their vehicles apart. I can go either way on this, as rarity certainly plays a big role in how desirable a given vehicle is. Special colors, options, engine configurations – the list goes on. The seller of this clean 1981 Ford F-350 pickup makes the case that it is one of those vehicles, specifying how it is just one of 38 F36 trucks painted Raven Black and wearing Custom trim. Does that make it a classic F-Series pickup worth buying? You tell us. Find the Ford here on eBay with no reserve and bidding to $7,600.

Now, I actually just sold a car that one of 180 or so painted in a very special, limited-run color. It was a 1991 Saab 900 Turbo SE convertible wearing Monte Carlo Yellow paint. This was a limited-production model with the paint scheme being offered for just one model run and only on 900 Turbo convertibles. The seller’s truck is painted a standard factory color; it’s just that apparently, not many owners opted for black paint and the Custom trim. I’d say that’s a very different type of limited production and we should rather focus on the clean condition and rare manual gearbox it’s equipped with.

The interior is also quite clean, featuring a bench seat with gray cloth upholstery that looks to be in excellent shape. The black carpeting is obviously easy to keep clean, but it’s still clearly installed in a truck that’s been loved. The seller reports that in addition to the paint, the original owner also equipped it with a very desirable set-up of the 4-speed manual paired to the 400 V8. When taking all of this into consideration, I tend to double-down on the fact that the paint code is only one part of the story here, as the clean condition, desirable options, and original paint make this truck a survivor that is desirable regardless of the rarity of the configuration.

The 6.6L engine has been rebuilt and features an Edelbrock carburetor and aluminum intake. The seller notes that it has the original exhaust and that a modern replacement is one area where he would swap out the factory component for a modern aftermarket or performance setup. With that manual gearbox at hand, I wouldn’t mind letting the V8 breathe a bit easier, so perhaps a tasteful Borla setup would do well here. The F-350 would be a terrific classic to use as an occasional daily driver, or simply improve it where possible and watch your investment appreciate. Which path would you choose with this Raven Black F-Series?