Another in the series of base model vehicles that a lot of us owned or knew someone who owned one, but have fallen off the radar, comes this incredible 1987 Ford Ranger. This truck looks like it just jumped out of a brochure, and with just 12,655 miles (20,367 km), it could easily be in a museum. The seller in beautiful Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, has it listed here on LowMilesNoMiles.com, and they’re asking $18,000 U.S. dollars. Thanks to Mitchell G. for the tip!
My brother had basically this same exact truck, bought new in 1984, but his was even more of a base model, as it had a four-speed manual, and this one has a five-speed. This truck appears to have worn a topper, or cap, as most people say (other than those of us who grew up in the Upper Midwest). It’s the same Bright Canyon Red, the same basic wheels, same everything, and it sure brings back memories.
A little topper/cap/shell/camper on the back would be super handy for fishing weekends, or just camping in the back on weekends if you aren’t even fishing, just hiking, or going to an out-of-town car show or whatever. Otherwise, I’d like to use this truck for hauling a motorcycle or two, and then a topless box/bed is the way to go. The first-generation Ranger was made for the 1983 model year until the end of 1992. This truck has only been driven an average of 333 miles a year, wow.
Wowie! That’s what I call a museum-quality interior, amazing. The tan, rubber/vinyl floor mats are a nice touch for lightening up the floor a bit from the black flooring material in this base (S or Custom?) model. The Bright Canyon Red paint was available with a similar Canyon Red interior as seen here, or a Chestnut interior. I like red-on-red myself, and I’m not a red vehicle guy. The bed, or box, as we said in the Upper Midwest, looks like new, and the underside clearly shows that this truck hasn’t spent much time in the snow.
The clean engine is Ford’s Lima 2.0-liter SOHC inline-four, which was rated at 73 horsepower. Backed by the five-speed manual sending power to the rear wheels, this truck would get a ton of interest at almost any car show for its incredibly preserved condition. Have any of you owned an early Ford Ranger like this one?
For the $10,000 question……..
Where on earth has Ranger been hiding all these decades?????
This has got to be the lowest mileage, cleanest, most original base model ever on Barnfinds. Hats off to Mitchell G. For finding this gem. And Scotty for writing it up. Its just unreal how original it is and how clean it is. I’d be seriously happy to own it. But probably be hesitant to take it anywhere. They’re only original once, and quite frankly, Scotty hit the nail on the head reffering to this as museum quality.
Very, very nice one here.
I had an -84 Ranger recently, with the 2.0 and 4-speed. It was the most basic car imaginable, didn’t even have power brakes. I had it while I got a new house built and it wasn’t bad, factory paint and no particular issues. The difference was that I paid $700 and sold it for $1000 to the house painters as an agreed deal if I was happy with their work. It was useful but crazy that it was a 1980’s truck, felt more like something from the 1950’s.
I’m glad to see this one written up Scotty, good job. Like Driveinstile says, it’s one thing to see a low-mileage vehicle here on Barn Finds, but seeing a low-mileage very, very, basic model like this Ranger is unusual. It’s kind of crazy to think that owning this would bring up questions similar to having some high-collar collectible: should I drive it? If so, where and how often? How to best store it?
I traded in my 80′ Pinto on a used low mile 86′ Ranger and drove it till 92′ when i gave it to my brother,he drove it many years till a deer took it out.
This is a real hunny. Exactly what so many of us remember and probably would buy again if the regulators would let you. Less is truly more.
The sealed beam headlamps alone are a strong selling point. Unlike the plastic type they never yellow or crack, nor do the bulbs have a chance to come loose and wiggle and flicker. Better still, it’s not necessary to disassemble half the vehicle to swap in a new light.
Low Miles, No Miles gets a lot of vehicles featured here, so I checked them out a little closer. It’s what I thought: a consignment site where they only feature the best of the best. The money wanted for the vehicles is always very high because of that – they probably help the owners determine a price.
It’s a unique idea, and I could see this being a popular site with many BFers.
Long before my he met my daughter my SIL bought a very well used one as a kid-a base model 4cyl 5 spd 2wd. He and his brother drove the wheels off it and learned to put it back together as they broke it.
36 years later he still drives it every day; last count was 218+ without a major technical problem other than having to replace anything-though the fuel gauge needs attention but he’s always used the odometer for that anyway!
I bought one of these brand new off the lot in late 82′. It had the 2.0 / 4 spd. and that was it. It had a heater, no radio, and was as box stock as they came for about $6K. I drove it all over New England, the Northeast, and even into Canadia. It was the poor man’s F-150 –real poor!. But it hauled cords and cords of wood. Chased parts for my Jeep, and would wash up just in time for Saturday night. Great little truck. AND they didn’t rust, either. It surpassed the GM offerings at the time, and gave the offshore units a run for their money. Only one thing funny about it–it had an aluminum gearbox that when it was cold, like around 5 degrees F, took 14 men, a boy, and a horse to shift until it warmed up.
You had a lot better luck than I did,I bought a 84 2wd 2.0 4 speed new, had a option package, Wheel trim rings, headliner, AM, FM Radio, Gauges maybe some other items, after about 2,000 miles oil fouled a plug, dealer did valve seals didn’t foul plugs anymore but did use some oil. We live in a hilly area, used it for a service truck in our garage business, if you put 2 regular tires on rims in the bed you felt it and could see it. That truck had 3.08 gears, I wish I had waited and bought a 85 with the 2.3 FI, 5 speed and i think they had 3.45 gears.
Scrolling through the pictures one does show with a white canopy on it $18 k is to much for me for this rig but I would be driving it almost daily Nice little truck and I wish the manufacturers still built these basic things
You’re 100% right, Troy! I saw that photo, but then didn’t put a pic of it in the article. I’ve just updated it, thanks for catching that.
Well, kind of to answer your question yes! I have 2 of this vintage. 1 2wd 4 cylinder 5 speed with a lumber rack that I drive almost every day. I kind of owned it for 8 years. I obtained it to refurbish for my sil as I was tired of seeing him strap plywood to the roof of his Camry. After several years he was basically given a new Toyota. So I got it back. It just turned over to 300,000 miles and runs like a champ. Although 2 nd gear syndrome. is very tired. The second one is a 4×4 also a 4 cylinder but is a 4 speed. It has a,used up clutch, so it hasn’t been used for awhile. Neither is rusty and bodies are in decent shape. I used to flip Rangers to help fund my racecar habit. So I have had approximately 12-15 of these. If I could figure out how to post some pictures. I’m sure .most of you would be very appreciative of the conditions. The price is high on this one. BUT, what does a new Maverick cost? The new Maverick will never equal the life and quality of this featured truck. Nothing more reliable than a 1999 and older Ranger 4 cylinder manual transmission!