Grabber Blue was one of three colors available on Ford’s special-edition Explorer pickup for 1973, and this appears to be a really nice truck, having traveled just 14,944 miles since it left the factory 53 years ago. This gorgeous, ultra-low-mileage truck is posted here on craigslist in Shoreline, Washington, and the seller is asking $14,995. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Curvette for the tip!
If I had any brains at all, which we all know I don’t, instead of wondering what some weird company (Amazon) expected to accomplish by selling books on this new internet thing, I would have heavily invested in that company back in 1999 when I first noticed it. Then I could have gotten a 1973 Ford F-100 with the Explorer package in all three colors: Grabber Blue, Burnt Orange, and Bright Lime. They would all be on velvet turntables in our living room. This truck appears to be loaded with Explorer package C, which includes, as you’d expect, everything in packages A and B, and also air conditioning and tinted glass. The sixth-generation F-Series was made from 1972 for the 1973 model year until the end of 1979 here.
The seller doesn’t mention any paint or bodywork, so I’m just assuming this beautiful truck is all original. Being in that neck of the woods (Pacific Northwest) and having so few miles, it’s possible that it’s original, I think? And it isn’t 100% mint everywhere, as they show inside the bed, where it’s showing some wear and surface rust, along with the diamond-pattern metal on the inside of the tailgate and on the front side of the bed up by the cab. I don’t see any flaws on the exterior, but the photos are pretty small. This is a familiar dealer, and I’m sure they’d send any additional photos to a serious buyer. Oddly, the right-side bed rail isn’t shown in the photo above, but it’s visible in the other photos.
The special color-matched seat fabric looks perfect, and even better, this truck has a 4-speed manual transmission! Not to mention, power steering, power brakes, and air conditioning. The only thing I would add would be a 38″ curved monitor on the dash. No, what? I’m kidding, obviously. I wouldn’t do one thing to this truck other than keeping it maintained and driving it. The price seems almost too good to be true. Hagerty is at $13,733 on the low end and $23,267 on the high end. This truck looks great from what I can tell, and the low miles should add to the value. Here’s a brochure showing the 1973 Ford Explorer package lineup for the F-100, Bronco, and Ranchero.
The engine is Ford’s 360-cu.in. OHV V8, rated at 196 (gross) horsepower and 327 (gross) lb-ft of torque when new. Backed by the 4-speed manual sending power to the rear wheels, this truck looks super nice overall. Some of the details (engine compartment and bed) aren’t up to the body and interior, but what are your thoughts on this truck?
Wow. I’m right there with you SG, this is an outstanding truck. My favorite generation of F-Series, flashy color, the specialty Explorer package, 4-speed, in excellent condition. And given the rise in prices for classic trucks in recent years, the price seems reasonable.
Great find, and great write-up SG.
Sadly that’s a 100,000 + mile truck…..too many tale tales…..and as an owner of one….putting some good stuff likes on the tires on the steering wheel horn pad might sell it…..dang….how mant times do you think that hoods been opened…
Worth every penny! Gotta wonder whose garage it’s been squirreled away in the last 50 years. I’d have to check out the underside, I’ve seen them look this good yet the floors and cab mounts still be gone.
This for real? Would prefer an F250 but at my age if I bought it would be the last I would buy, this seems too good to be for real. Bought an F250 new in 76 but 3 sons used it as they proceeded through high school, guess you can figure how it ended up. It was a camper special, dark metallic blue, 390/4 speed/locking rear end/2wd, the perfect truck at the time. This one is awesome even with surface rust in the bed, interesting diamond plate on ends of the bed. If it is as presented here then an awesome opportunity for someone that hopefully will appreciate and not change or modify it.
My first new vehicle was a 76 3/4 ton Ford . It had the 360 with a 4 pd. I loved that truck.
it’s not the same these days, Jim. I’m with you on the 4-speed. The combination of manual transmission and locking differential can’t be matched for simplicity and reliability. Today’s automatics are great for economy but short on terrain flexibility and a major investment if service is needed. Of course, that’s just my opinion.
Thanks, guys! In case you’re wondering, it’s a real car dealer in Shoreline, WA.
https://www.richscarcorner.com/used-Shoreline-1973-Ford-F+100-EXPLORER+14K+ACTUAL+MILES-F10YRR50217
They say this truck is “rust-free,” the two best words in the history of vintage vehicles, as far as I’m concerned.
My favorite feature on trucks of this era is the tool box just in front of the RR wheel. They should still do that! I had it on a ’72 Chevy and it was sure handy. And it’s just cool.
It’s been on the market for 9 days, so far and is listed by a dealer. That suggests, at least in eastern Washington state, it’s listed at or above what the local market considers to be a good deal.
Steve R
Being such a pretty truck it really should have the optional chrome “car” bumper, rather than that big ugly painted thing that you can step on and use for stuff. The mirrors… I’d have to do something with those, too. Not like you’re going to tow anything with an F-100. They had sport mirrors available. Nice truck, overall.
What’s NOT 2 like? And a truck!!!
Wow… Sweet.
Thanks for including the Ford ad, funny to see 80 discount on Ranchero and 185 discount on the Bronco.
Pretty clean looking truck, Low Miles. Put this on a lot up here and Maine, and expect a 20K price.
My Dad would have loved this truck. He had a 77 Custom that he ticked a few option boxes on. Had the 351M and an automatic in it. He quietly loved the Explorer trim earlier models like this one though. His buddy had a Burnt Orange one. This appears to be a really nice truck that I might buy if it weren’t in the Pacific NW.
For me this generation F-Series is hands down the best looking pickup truck period along with being a pickup that will last a lifetime with just proper care. I have owned a 1979 F-250 a 1998 expedition and a 2000 lightning loved every one of them wish I could buy this one.
Scotty,
The right bed rail IS there,you just have to really look
at the picture to see it as it looks like part of the back of the
cab.
I know where there’s another early ’70’s F100 that might
be for sale in the Olympia area that was in really nice shape
the last time i saw it.
GAAAA! You’re right, angliagt! Jeez, sorry about that. What a crazy, almost M.C. Escher thing that is, lining up exactly with the bottom of the rear window!
Incredible price considering the market for used trucks in recent years, especially in my area of northwest Arkansas. We are in a high price bubble. Bring that truck here and get it sold without a sweat.
That’s a good looking truck !
I remember my father trading in a Rancho at Johnson Ford in Kingston NY for a 77 300 six 3 on the tree .Was brown with all the strpes color keyed hubcaps am radio and this it .Drove the hell out of it as a teenager towed cars home from every point on the globe .One hot summer day in the early 90s I over heated it and blew the head gasket cracked the head .miss that truck now .
good fooling truck and the price is fairly reasonable, but that bed looks like it has 114k miles on it. pretty beat up. i would want to docs to prove those miles are legit.
I’ll take it [email protected]
Well equipped (even AC!), super low miles, great color, rust free- for $15k?
It’s a bargain.
I have owned a ‘72, and a ‘75 F150, with 360/4 speed. Good work-a-day trucks. Much more solid than my current ‘12 F150. If it was 4WD, I’d be seriously considering a trip over the Cascades.
I had a ’73 2wd and then a ’75 4×4. It’s hard to tell the difference between any of them if there was any. I do question the “Swing-Lok Mirrors.” I thought they came out in the latter part of the ’74 production but I could be wrong. My trucks had the bright long-arm mirrors because I did a lot of trailer-pulling.
I wouldn’t kick this truck off my driveway. It’s equipped similar to the ’73 I had although the Explorer package and A-C weren’t in the radar for a couple of years. 2 by 60 with a sliding rear window sufficed. I might add that I had a factory cap that provided a lot of shade on those long trips…
They were also available in black because I owned one.
A great truck!!!! Thanks Scotty.. As to the mirrors, after driving a big truck for 5 million miles, I will take the biggest ones you can find.. The surface rust in the truck body may have come from this truck having one of those clip in plastic bedliners rubbing on it at one time?? Not a bad price for a back up daily driver, weekend workhorse that you can take to any show event and have a winner.
I was thinking maybe a few bags of concrete or feed or somesuch Brocky, but whatever the case it had to be surface rubbing because I don’t see any dents at all. This is indeed a beautiful truck that I’d like to have myself and I’m not a Ford guy. :-)
In 1974 my step dad bought one of these. A 73. Burnt Orange F100. It wasn’t equipped quite like this though. His had a 302 and the famous (or infamous lol) 3 on the tree. Man I loved that truck! I was 14 and sometimes sat on the back porch looking at it and dreaming it was mine. This truck in the article, even though a bit different as far as options go, it brought back memories of that wonderful 1973 F150 Explorer. I’d absolutely love one like his was and in as good condition as his was. ❤️
Nice truck! It takes me back to when these were new and modern. A different time, and different uses for trucks.
I grew up with them towing race cars, boats, and hauling things. There was the occasional guy who hot ridden theirs, but these were known for toughness and reliability. And they looked great doing whatever they were called upon for.
I’d love to park this at my house.